Let the spring training games begin!
It all starts today for a new-look Mets team. Plus, what to look out for in early Grapefruit League play
What’s Up with the Mets? 🌴
Let’s play ball! ⚾️ The Mets will open up their Grapefruit League schedule against the Marlins at 1 PM ET today - LF Juan Soto, 3B Bo Bichette, and 2B Marcus Semien are all expected to play in the Mets’ Grapefruit League opener, per manager Carlos Mendoza
Citi Field raked in a record $311.4 million in revenue during the 2025 season (Sportico)
What I’m Reading 🗞️
Juan Soto and Nolan McLean used a game of “Rock, Paper, Scissors” to settle a questionable call during live batting practice (NY Post)
Devin Williams believes the mental toughness he gained while with the Yankees will help him in Queens (NY Post)
Jorge Polanco is looking to talk to Mets legend Keith Hernandez about playing first base (NY Post)
Jeff Albert, the Mets’ new director of major league hitting, outlined his approach to the job (NY Post)
Analyzing one position that’s up for grabs in 2026 (Bergen Record)
Teams, managers, and front offices that will be feeling the heat in 2026 (The Athletic)
What I’m Watching 🎥
RHP Nolan McLean faced off against live batters on Friday, which featured an epic duel against LF Juan Soto.
Just Mets Podcast 🎙️
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Today’s Game 🏝️
Match-up: Mets (0-0) vs. Marlins (0-0)
Where: Clover Park - Port St. Lucie, FL
Starters: LHP Brandon Waddell (0-0) vs. LHP Robby Snelling (0-0)
When: 1:10 PM ET
Where to Watch: SNY
Baseball is back (kind of)! What to look for in early Grapefruit League action ✍️
We have made it! Just don’t look outside your window tomorrow if you’re in the northeast…❄️
Yes, it is only spring training, and Grapefruit League games tend to lose a lot of luster after the first week or so.
Still, after a long winter, we’ll take Mets baseball in any shape or form, and it feels good to know that we can finally settle down in front of the SNY broadcast for a game later today.
And, in order to pass the time between now and first pitch, I’ve put together a list of things to watch out for both during today’s Grapefruit League opener and also in the first handful of games.
New Era
Today’s contest will mark the first time in quite a while that Mets fans will tune into a game and not see Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, or Jeff McNeil on the field. Throw Edwin Díaz into that mix too. The core has officially been blown up, and after months of dissecting it and talking about it, the opener against the Marlins will provide us with the first real glimpse of that new reality. It was strange enough watching Alonso hit a home run in another uniform on Friday. It will be quite the experience watching an entire Mets game knowing some of our favorites won’t be making an appearance.
It goes beyond personnel too. We can safely say that the 2026 team will be the first one with president of baseball operations David Stearn’s fingerprints all over it. He inherited the core and, after a brutal collapse in 2025, was finally able to remake the roster in his image. Stearns is looking to create a new identity as well. We’re aware of his desire to make the Mets a better team defensively, but he’s also put an onus on a new approach offensively. Thanks to the additions of Bo Bichette, Jorge Polanco, and Marcus Semien, the 2026 Mets will be less about power and more about elite contact and putting the ball in play.
A remade roster and a fresh new philosophy will all be on display for the first time against the Marlins, and it will be fascinating to see how quickly this team embraces its new identity.
New faces, new positions
We know that Bichette and Semien will be making their spring training debuts today. That means a tantalizing first look for Mets fans at two of the most notable signings this offseason. There will be a boatload of intrigue around Bichette, especially as it pertains to how quickly he settles into life at third base. Again, spring training games are just ramp-up exercises, so we won’t get the full answers to the test today, or even over the next week or so, but we should get an intriguing insight into how Bichette is handling the transition to moving over to the hot corner.
It should also be a lot of fun to see Bichette at the plate given his elite ability to make things happen. Likewise, we know the front office really likes Semien’s leadership and presence in the clubhouse, and we should really see those kinds of intangibles shine through this time of year.
We will also see Juan Soto against the Marlins later, which means a first live look at the superstar over in left field. As Drew Van Buskirk noted a couple of weeks ago, Soto’s career -8 Outs Above Average (OAA) and -12 Fielding Run Value (FRV) are both better than his marks in right field (-24 and -29, respectively). I know I’m going to be paying special attention to that area of the field during today’s game. Plus, what isn’t there to love about the prospect of watching Soto at the plate this early in spring training?
Prospects & Roster Battles
I tend to look at spring training like an all-you-can-eat buffet - it has a little something for everyone. That should be the case for Mets fans in the opener against the Marlins. We’ve already mentioned debuts and new positions, but there will also be battles for roster places up for grabs, as well as prospects galore.
On the prospects front, the Mets have a boatload of blue-chip prospects ready to make their mark, and we should see some of that talent on display later. The most notable prospect to watch will be Carson Benge, who will be given every opportunity to win the job in right field out of camp. A fast start will be key, so today’s game could act as the first really important spring milestone for Benge if he features. Ryan Clifford will be another name to watch given the uncertainty at first base.
In terms of roster spots, there aren’t that many available, but the rotation and the bullpen still have questions that need answering. The first batch of spring training games should give us some clue as to how the rotation could shake out by Opening Day, while there will be a number of relievers looking to crack the bullpen out of camp. The most notable name to watch? Veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel. The nine-time All-Star has impressed in camp so far, and the next week or so will be telling in terms of seeing just how much he has left in the tank, and whether or not he could be a useful piece in the bullpen in 2025.
All in all, baseball is back and there’s a lot to look forward to today and beyond.
Around the League 🚩
Orioles INF Jordan Westburg will be out through the end of April with a partial UCL tear in his right elbow (MLB.com)
Former Met 1B Pete Alonso hit the first home run of spring training in his Orioles debut in a 2-0 win over the Yankees on Friday
OF Seiya Suzuki blasted a first-inning home run during the Cubs’ spring training opener against the White Sox
Veteran C Salvador Perez finished with a homer and two RBI as the Royals beat the Rangers, 7-3
Yankees RHP Gerrit Cole faced live batters on Friday for the first time since undergoing Tommy John Surgery last spring (MLB.com)
Pete seems motivated to show the Mets what they missed out on. He talked a little smack after the game but it wasn’t terrible. Good for him that he got his bag and I have no ill will now that he’s not a Met. I don’t know how anyone could honestly. Big Pete is in the Mets record books and if you root for the laundry that should mean something still. All time franchise greats should be revered because we don’t have many of them but the list is growing. I imagine Soto will own many records by the time he’s done. I’m excited to see the game. Want to comment on the WBC and I’ve been a poo-pooer about this tournament mostly because we lost Diaz while he played for his home country team and cost the Mets a season. I just read an article on the roster and the US starting rotation is Skenes,Skubal,Webb,& Joe Ryan. Plus Nolan McClean and Holmes too right? The closer is Mason Miller with Bednar before him. Holy shit is that a rotation!? The two reigning Cy Young winners plus Webb who has one and guys who have had down ballot votes recently plus real talent all through the rotation. Kershaw is on the team too to just eat innings during a blow out or a possible big loss (which I don’t see). The guys on the team have it in their heads that Japan won’t be holding the title again. It’s possible I might even watch some of it now. Skenes is already an American dude. Got side tracked. Sorry. LGM!
So happy to see the green grass and hear the crack of the bat later today!