As camp opens, Mets have some questions to be answered

This story was excerpted from Anthony DiComo's Mets Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Spring Training has arrived for a Mets team once again facing gaudy expectations. It¡¯s a talented club -- maybe the best in the National League East. But it¡¯s hardly one that figures to roll over its competition. Although the Mets solved many problems during another active offseason, they also left quite a few questions unanswered.

Such as:

How will Pete Alonso respond to another platform year?

Last year, heading into free agency for the first time, Alonso submitted the worst statistical season of his career: 34 home runs and a .459 slugging percentage, both full-season career lows. That¡¯s still a relatively solid campaign, and Alonso enhanced it with a strong October -- highlighted by one of the most impactful hits in Mets postseason history. But it was only enough to land him $54 million in guaranteed money, when he was surely hoping for three or four times that amount.

Alonso¡¯s new contract contains an opt-out, meaning he can become a free agent again next offseason. It could be his last chance to truly cash in on a nine-figure deal (in this league, life comes at you fast), but that won¡¯t happen unless he improves upon last year¡¯s numbers. In other words, whatever pressure he felt in 2024 is going to be even greater this summer. How he copes will be instrumental in determining both his next contract and the Mets¡¯ overall success.

? Everything you need to know for Mets Spring Training

How will Juan Soto integrate with the club?

In another market, on another team, Soto¡¯s arrival would dominate every second of Spring Training. That won¡¯t happen in Port St. Lucie, with Francisco Lindor coming off an MVP-caliber season, Alonso facing the questions noted above and many other high-profile players featuring compelling storylines. Still, switching teams always requires some level of adjustment. On the one hand, this will be Soto¡¯s fourth club in four years. On the other, for the first time since his early days as a big leaguer, he knows where he¡¯s going to be for a long, long time.

The Mets already have some noted clubhouse leaders in Lindor and Brandon Nimmo, reducing the immediate pressure on Soto. The 26-year-old doesn¡¯t need to be everything to all people. He just needs to remain one of the game¡¯s foremost sluggers while settling into his new home.

? What could the Mets' Opening Day roster look like?

Is the rotation good enough?

Although the February storylines coming out of Port St. Lucie will mostly revolve around Soto and Alonso, some real intrigue surrounds the pitching staff. Questions abound in this (likely six-man) rotation: Is Kodai Senga finally, truly healthy? What about Frankie Montas? Can Clay Holmes successfully transition from the bullpen and, if so, how durable might he be? Is Sean Manaea really an ace, or was last year an aberration? Are the depth pieces good enough to make up for a lack of proven frontline talent? Mets officials won¡¯t be able to answer all these questions over six weeks of Spring Training, but they¡¯ll know much more about their rotation by the end of it.