Carlos Mendoza speaks as Spring Training 2025 kicks off
Spring Training is in full swing! Plus, a round-up of what manager Carlos Mendoza said during Tuesday's press conference.
What’s up with the Mets? 🍎
RHP Kodai Senga is healthy entering Spring Training and expects to be a major factor for the Mets this season (MLB.com)
The Mets will be keeping RHP José Buttó as a reliever for the upcoming season, according to manager Carlos Mendoza
Rumor Mill 💨
Free agent 3B Alex Bregman is “likely” to sign with one of the Cubs, Red Sox or Tigers (Olney)
Carlos Mendoza’s media availability round-up ✍️
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza held his first official press conference entering his second year on the job on Tuesday afternoon. Here is the rundown of the most interesting topics the club’s skipper touched on…
On heightened expectations
“Everything that is said outside of this locker room, it does not matter … We know we’ve got a good team, but there’s a long way to go. We gotta be healthy, we gotta stay healthy, we gotta play well. There’s a lot of good teams out there and we understand that but we like our team, we like what we’ve done this offseason. We brought a lot of guys back – we’re keeping a lot of the guys that were the core of this group from last year – so it’s exciting. As far as managing expectations, you have to embrace those expectations, you know? What’s the alternative?”
On moving past the 2024 season
“It was fun last year and all that, especially with the way we started the year. But we’ve got to play baseball. We’re here to win a championship – that’s the goal. We also understand there’s a lot of good teams out there, so we’ve gotta go out there and do it. How do we manage it? By taking care of the little things, by taking care of one day at a time, by not looking too far ahead. That’s how we do it. It’s a one day at a time mentality.”
On the return of Pete Alonso
“I’m not gonna lie – excited. The whole offseason was whether Pete was gonna come back or not … we know what he brings to the table … This is a guy that played every game for us last year. His personality, how much he wanted to be here and accomplish the ultimate goal. He enjoys this city, he enjoys our fan base. He brings a lot, so I’m excited.”
On the starting lineup
“We’ve got some really good options here. Whether you go Soto second or third, Pete, Vientos, you feel good about your chances … I’m not gonna lie, I’ve been playing around with what it’s gonna look like … I’ve gotta have those conversations with them, let it play out and see what’s best for the players, what’s best for the team and then we’ll go from there.”
On a healthy Kodai Senga
“Man, yeah, those five innings were electric. You’re watching him pitch and it’s like ‘man, this is real.’ It means a lot if we can have a healthy Senga because you guys saw it in 2023, I saw it briefly last year, and it could be special. What he’s able to do with the baseball – move it around, the velo – and he competes. It’ll be huge for the team, it’ll be huge for the rotation and for Senga because it was a hard year for him in 2024.”
On back-up shortstop options
“Madrigal’s gonna get some exposure there. Madrigal will get some reps on shortshop, Acuña for sure. We’ve got options there.”
On where Jett Williams and Luisangel Acuña will see playing time
“Jett Williams is gonna get some reps in center field. Acuña, we wanna give him a look at third base, as well. Don’t be surprised if you see an infield alignment of Acuña at third, Baty at second, Madrigal at first. We wanna see those guys and what they can do.”
On the status of Ronny Mauricio
“He’s going through his running progressions still. You won’t see him in games until hopefully somewhere in the middle of March, to be honest with you. He’s a guy that missed the whole year last year … and had some setbacks but right now he’s trending in the right direction and we want to keep it that way. He’s taking ground balls, he’s taking BP outside but as far as games go, we won’t expect Mauricio to be in games early in camp.”
On A.J. Minter’s health going into Opening Day
“In August he had hip surgery. He’s in a good spot, he’s scheduled to throw his first bullpen at the end of this month and the goal is for him to be ready.”
On José Buttó’s usage in 2025
“Not as a starter. We’re gonna stretch him out as a multiple inning guy out of the bullpen, but not as a starter.”
Around the League 🚩
The Angels signed RHP Kenley Jansen, MLB’s active saves leader, to a one-year, $10 million contract (Heyman)
The Dodgers have struck again, re-signing LHP Clayton Kershaw to a one-year contract (ESPN)
The Twins signed 1B Ty France to a one-year, $1 million contract (Star Tribune)
Former Mets LHP Jake Diekman signed a minor league contract with the Braves (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)