Spring Training for the New York Mets has finally opened and skipper Carlos Mendoza offered up some surprising news. And some of it was not good.
There is a boatload of excitement surrounding the Mets heading into the 2025 season. Last year, after getting off to a horrible start, they stunned the baseball world when they caught fire in the second half and rode that hot streak all the way to the NLCS.
However, with expectations higher in the new year, the front office looked to improve the roster and boost their chances of reaching the World Series later this year. While many of their moves aimed to maintain the level of play they reach last year, the hope around the team is that superstar outfielder Juan Soto will be the missing piece on a championship team in 2025.
Fans are excited as ever and Spring Training’s early days are already drawing a lot of interest. On Tuesday, manager Carlos Mendoza spoke to media for the first time this year and offered up some interesting news about a major battle in training camp.
Will Jeff McNeil have to compete to keep starting spot at 2B for New York Mets?
Two-time All-Star Jeff McNeil has had some big seasons during his seven years with the New York Mets. However, since winning a battle title two years ago his game has gone into a steep decline. It even led to rumors this offseason he could be on the trade block.
During his press conference today, Mendoza seemed to suggest there will be a competition for second base this Spring. While the manager implied it McNeil’s job to lose he revealed that along with Luisangel Acuna, Brett Baty, and top prospect Jett Williams will get reps at second this spring.
Beyond position battles, Carlos Mendoza also revealed some disappointing injury news. One of the new faces in camp this year is Atlanta Braves veteran AJ Minter. However, following offseason labrum surgery, he may not be ready for opening day.
Along with Minter, the manager added that stud prospect Ronny Mauricio is still recovering from suffering a torn ACL last winter and he won’t take to the field until mid-March. He was the sixth ranked prospect in the Mets farm system on MLB.com in 2023 and to end 2024.
Mets sticking with logical choice with Francisco Lindor’s spot in batting order
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
After the New York Mets made the season-altering decision last year to move Francisco Lindor to the leadoff spot, the shortstop will remain as New York’s leadoff hitter for the 2025 season.
Speaking with reporters in Port St. Lucie, Florida on Tuesday, manager Carlos Mendoza was asked how he plans to line up the top of the batting order for the Mets. Despite saying the team has “really good options” Mendoza anticipates that Lindor will remain the Mets’ leadoff hitter after thriving in the role last year.
The second-year skipper won’t reveal who will bat behind Lindor with the addition of Juan Soto and the return of Pete Alonso. Soto has largely batted second throughout his career, so it could be likely he would bat second in the Amazins’ lineup; meanwhile, Alonso has traditionally batted cleanup but may be moved up to third in the batting order.
The plan to keep Lindor as the leadoff hitter should come as no surprise. In April and May, the shortstop was primarily penciled in second or third but batted just .195/.268/.362; when he was inserted into the leadoff spot on May 18, the 31-year-old remained there for the rest of the season while playing at an MVP-caliber level.
Over the next 46 games batting leadoff, Lindor slugged nine home runs with 27 RBI and 18 doubles and only got better on offense after assuming the new role as the season rolled on. The shortstop finished the 2024 season slashing .273/.344/.500 with 33 home runs, 91 RBI, and 29 stolen bases across 152 regular season games; as a leadoff hitter, he hit .304/.374/.554 with 26 homers, 70 RBI, 82 runs scored, and a 160 wRC+. Lindor ultimately finished second in National League MVP voting, only finishing behind Shohei Ohtani.
The Mets are now hoping that Lindor can excel as the primary leadoff hitter for an entire regular season after his slow start last season offensively.
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