Skipper sits down: Mendoza talks '25 Mets, Soto, Manaea, more in Q&A

In a recent phone interview with MLB.com, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza discussed a wide range of topics from Juan Soto to how good the Mets will be in 2025.

MLB.com: What’s the biggest thing you learned about yourself in the first year as manager of the Mets?

Carlos Mendoza: The biggest thing I learned was going through the tough moments, especially the way we got out of the gate and having the bad month of May. It was a matter of staying consistent, being a good communicator. It was [two] of the things I learned in year one.

MLB.com: How did you remain patient, especially early in the season? The biggest thing I noticed about you was that you never lost your temper.

Mendoza: That’s who I am, but I’ve been blessed that my support system off the field – my wife, kids and parents – have helped me get through those tough times. … Not only my support system, but watching guys prepare day in and day out. If I know the players, coaches and everyone in the building is doing their part and they are preparing to go out there and compete, that gives me confidence. That keeps me positive. It keeps me in check, if you want to call it that way.

MLB.com: How do you feel about year two of the Carlos Mendoza era?

Mendoza: I feel really good. I love what we are doing. I’m not going to lie: the Juan Soto signing is huge for us. You are adding an impactful player to our group, which has some superstars already. Francisco Lindor was a top three MVP finalist. You have Brandon Nimmo. You have two young players in Mark Vientos and Francisco Alvarez. We also have Brett Baty and Luisangel Acu?a … We made some really good additions.

The offseason is not over yet. We still have a few weeks before we have to report to Spring Training, and a few more weeks after that before we go to Houston for Opening Day. We added some quality arms, some depth to our rotation. That’s important. You are going to need a lot of starters. I’m excited about the group that we have currently in place.

MLB.com: You talk about the young guys like Baty and Vientos. How confident are you that they can have an impact on the team?

Mendoza: I’m pretty confident. They have tools. Look, it hasn’t been easy, especially for Baty. Last year, he earned the opportunity and made the team out of big league camp. Things didn’t go the way we were expecting. He went down to Triple-A. We asked him to get work around the infield – second base – and he did that. He made some adjustments offensively where he is more athletic. He is loose. We like the tools. That’s what this game is all about. When you get knocked down, you have to find a way to get back up. We are pretty confident that Brett is going to do that.

MLB.com: How is Vientos doing as far as improving his defense?

Mendoza: Good. He is working on basic footwork. He has been working really hard at third base. In order to improve on his first step, he is working on his pre-pitch and his setup in order to get to more baseballs. That was the biggest priority with him this offseason. He [is working out at] first base, more like the basic stuff – the footwork, receive throws and things like that.

MLB.com: With Soto in the lineup, what will happen to Starling Marte?

Mendoza: He is a big part of this group. He brings a lot to the table. He understands that the playing time in right field is going to be a lot less, obviously. [He’ll have] DH at-bats and he may get some reps in left field. These are some of the conversations that we already had with him. The biggest thing is, he has to be healthy, and if he is healthy, he is an impactful player. He is a big part of this team moving forward.

MLB.com: How good is it to re-sign Sean Manaea for three more years?

Mendoza: Huge because of who he is as a person – the impact not only on the field, but off the field. This is a guy who had a lot to do with our team chemistry. Put that with what he was able to do on the field. He was right there on top of the rotation. He took the baseball – knock on wood – and was able to stay healthy. He was a guy you could count on every time he took the baseball. Those are the expectations moving forward. He has put in a lot of work this offseason. He is in a good spot right now. I’m excited about 2025 for Sean Manaea.

MLB.com: I know he was your best starter last season. Is it safe to say Manaea will be your Opening Day starter?

Mendoza: We have to start Spring Training and see where everyone is at as far as their progression and health. Right now, everyone is feeling good, but a lot can happen. But, man, he is special. We’ll see.

MLB.com: You have Jesse Winker back. He is another guy who brings energy to the table. How does he fit in?

Mendoza: He brings a lot on and off the field. He competes. He wants to win. He cares about his teammates. He had a really good time with us. He really connected with our fanbase.

MLB.com: He seemed to have accepted his role as a fourth outfielder.

Mendoza: This is part about being a manager – being in communication with your players. He understood the role last year, whether it was just DH or play a little in the outfield. We took him out for a defensive replacement. He likes winning. This is a team guy that is willing to do whatever it takes to win baseball games.

MLB.com: What is your biggest concern going into Spring Training?

Mendoza: Health. You have to keep guys healthy, not only until you get to Opening Day, but throughout the year. It not only concerns Carlos Mendoza, it concerns every manager.