In a recent interview with MLB.com, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza discussed the state of the 2025 Mets, from Juan Soto¡¯s all-around game to the injuries suffered during Spring Training.
MLB.com: Ever since you became the manager of the Mets, you said your biggest concern will always be the team¡¯s health. Unfortunately, Sean Manaea, Frankie Montas, Jeff McNeil and Francisco Alvarez will not start the season on time because of injuries. Let¡¯s not forget that Brandon Nimmo¡¯s right knee is ailing. Tell me your level of concern as you prepare for Opening Day.
Mendoza: You hate to see the team go through it this early, and we¡¯re talking Spring Training, but nobody is going to feel sorry for us. The way I see it is opportunities for a lot of different players. We feel good about our depth. Before all these guys went down, we talked about how great the Mets team is because we have the superstars and the depth we have. Here we are: we are getting tested. Again, guys will step up. The good thing is, we are going to have those injured players back sooner rather than later. We will get through it.
MLB.com: Is there anyone, for example, who could replace McNeil at second base?
Mendoza: Well, yeah. We have four guys now in camp that are competing to take over that role whether it's Brett Baty, Luisangel Acu?a, Donovan Walton and Luis De Los Santos. Those guys are in big league camp. We feel good about what these guys can do until Jeff gets healthy. I can say the same thing about our starters -- not only the guys we have here in camp, but the youngsters in Triple A: Brandon Sproat and Blade Tidwell. Those guys are going to be knocking at the door. I feel good about Luis Torrens taking over as the starting catcher. We still have a good team. We have to keep going.
MLB.com: I¡¯m speaking for myself. Your biggest weakness seems to be starting pitching and behind the plate, but you seem to think it¡¯s strong.
Mendoza: Yes, I feel good with the guys that we have right now. Clay Holmes is obviously going on Opening Day. I like what I¡¯m seeing out of David Peterson and Tylor Megill. Kodai Senga is in a good spot, so is Paul Blackburn and Griffin Canning. We still have good options.
MLB.com: How has Senga looked compared to what you saw last October?
Mendoza: He¡¯s healthy. We didn¡¯t see much out of him last year. He went down early in Spring Training [in 2024]. It was a battle for him the whole year. He was rehabbing. We didn¡¯t see the best version of him. This year, after going through the offseason, the training and all that, he reported to camp in really good condition. From what we are seeing, he is recovering well every time he takes the ball. That¡¯s what you want to see.
MLB.com: Last year, the Mets went through adversity before going to the postseason. What did you learn from last year that you took into 2025? You already have adversity before Opening Day.
Mendoza: A big league season is not easy. That¡¯s my biggest takeaway. Every team is going to face adversity. I don¡¯t care how good you are. The best teams go through adversity and you have to find a way to get through it. That¡¯s what we did last year. We fought our way. The expectations this year is, we continue to do that. We have to find a way to get the job done. At the end of the day, it¡¯s the big leagues, right? We feel like we are equipped to handle adversity and guys will step up.
MLB.com: What has been the most pleasant surprise since you have been in camp?
Mendoza: The young arms we have in our system. That¡¯s one. Two, how guys are fitting in, especially the new guys we acquired during the offseason like Juan Soto, Clay Holmes, A.J. Minter. I named three guys there.
MLB.com: How surprised are you that Holmes has adjusted so quickly to becoming a starting pitcher to the point where you named him the Opening Day starter?
Mendoza: I¡¯m not surprised. This is a guy that was a starter coming up through the Minors. He knows what it takes to be a starting pitcher. Yeah, it¡¯s been a while since the last time [he started]. He didn¡¯t have that much experience. The thing is, with so much information and the technology, high speed cameras and things that we can do to help individuals, Clay is a pretty smart guy who not only has elite stuff, but he has a really good idea and understanding of how to apply the information and the analytics. He knows how to deal with recovery and workload, you name it. I¡¯m not surprised at all.
MLB.com: How do you see the center field position shaking out?
Mendoza: Both guys will contribute. We feel really good with the options that we have whether it¡¯s Tyrone Taylor, who was a really good player for us last year. He can play not only center field, but anywhere in the outfield. Jose Siri is the same guy. He is an elite defender. He has a lot of pop and we're going to let it play out.
MLB.com: What about DH?
Mendoza: Maybe a platoon if we stay healthy. Starling Marte and Jesse Winker -- those guys will get the majority at-bats at the DH spot.
MLB.com: How is Marte¡¯s attitude? This will be the first time in his career he will not play every day?
Mendoza: Great. He is at a point in his career where he wants to win. He has been an elite player in this league. He has been an everyday player and, now, he is in a different role and he appreciates the honesty from the front office and myself. We have been honest with him since the beginning. He is willing to do whatever it takes to continue to help this team win baseball games and he is going to be a big part of this team moving forward.
MLB.com: As you watch Juan Soto play, what is your first reaction?
Mendoza: It¡¯s incredible. It¡¯s unbelievable with some of the things that he does in the batter¡¯s box. The way he controls the strike zone. His ability to drive the baseball from line to line. First at-bat in Spring Training, he goes left-center. I¡¯ve seen him pull baseballs. Yeah, he is pretty amazing at what he is able to do in that batter¡¯s box.
MLB.com: Any concerns about how he is playing defense?
Mendoza: Not at all. I¡¯m excited about the way he has been playing. I¡¯m also excited about the work he has put in before the games. This is a guy who works really hard. He has been very vocal about winning a Gold Glove. He takes that seriously. He wants to be a complete player. He wants to be known for not only one of the greatest hitters that ever played the game, but he wants to be known as one of the best all-around players. You can make a case about his baserunning. He has been talking to Antoan Richardson, who is a base running/ first base/outfield coach.
MLB.com: The Mets went to the National League Championship Series last year. How far can this team go this year?
Mendoza: We have high expectations. We have a chance. We feel good about what we have here. Steve Cohen and David Stearns worked real hard during the offseason to give this team a chance. We have been saying this since last year: Our goal is to be able to compete for a championship. That¡¯s what you want. You want to be playing deep into October and see what happens.