MMO Roundtable: What Storyline Are We Paying Attention to During Spring Training?

Pitchers and catchers have reported. Our favorite beat writers are down in PSL. Our feeds are covered in pictures of Clover Park. It’s arguably one of the most wonderful times of the year for Mets fans. Which brings us down to it – what we’re paying attention to the most this spring training. Here’s what we here at MMO will be keeping an eye on.

Christian De Block

My attention is on the bullpen and more specifically, who can grab those final spots on the Opening Day roster. Dylan Ross got called up late last season, but never made an appearance. Can he solidify himself as an immediate option in the big leagues? Adbert Alzolay is name a lot of people are talking about coming off a major injury. He was fantastic with the Cubs in ‘23, can he find that form again? Craig Kimbrel, one of the best closers of this generation, got an invite to camp. How much does he have left in the tank? I am very interested to see if those three in particular will be on the roster to start the season.

Nick Kalantzopoulos

I’m looking squarely at the left field options. Carson Benge is the most interesting player to watch for me. Considering his triple-A OPS was 583 last year but David Stearns said he’s in play to start opening day means that there’s more to meets the eye in his game. I’m excited to find out.

Brett Baty playing the corner outfield is something I’m interested to see this spring as well. I was a big-time doubter in his ability to play second and he proved me wrong so can he make left field his on opening day? His bat certainly deserves a “most of the time” spot in the lineup.

David Melendi

I’m curious to see if they go with a six-man rotation or bump someone to the bullpen. And if it’s five, who is left out? My preference is Kodai Senga I think he could excel in that role.

Brandyn Pokrass

I think my main focus will be on the position player  side of things, at least early on. Specifically, I am watching Brett Baty, Mark Vientos, and Carson Benge. Baty’s ability to make the adjustment to the OF and make more strides as a hitter is critical. Can Vientos also show growth and possibly play his way into some 1B reps? If not, is his bat at a level where he cannot be left out of a lineup? With Benge, I want to see where the baseline is for him during the spring. How is his approach and swing decisions? Is he comfortable manning the OF in an MLB capacity? What strides does he make from game to game? How these players fare can cause chain reactions for New York in multiple directions, and I’m excited to see it play out.

Patrick Glynn

I want to see what all the prospects improved on over the winter. Plenty of youngsters will get play in the first week or two of games, and we’ll get some batted ball and pitch data when they play at Clover Park. Their presence adds an exciting layer to the first couple weeks of spring.

Matthew Tutrone

With so many new faces on the roster and coaching staff, I’m curious to see how quickly everyone can start to get on the same page. Throw in the additional wrinkle of the WBC taking guys like McLean, Holmes, Soto, and Vientos away from camp, and the Mets will have their work cut out for them getting off the blocks this spring.

Mojo Hill

I’m definitely curious to see how the bullpen shakes out as well. The big addition was Devin Williams; which version of him will show up in the early going? Relievers tend to be the most fickle of any position, so I’ll be interested to see which of the less-proven guys crack through.

Mathias Altman-Kurosaki

I’m going to agree with Mojo – I’m keeping an eye on those last few spots in the bullpen. The Mets have a number of intriguing names competing for limited spots, and the unit seems to be deeper this year. Additionally, with Juan Soto moving to left field, I’m curious to see who wins the right field job to start the year. Do they have Carson Benge begin the year in the minors? Do they platoon Tyrone Taylor and MJ Melendez? I expect Benge to be in the majors at some point, but it’s not a guarantee he’s there on Opening Day.

Johnluke Chaparro

I’m curious to see how much of an impact Freddy Peralta and Christian Scott will have on the starting rotation. The Mets finally have some solid depth in the rotation and I want to see how they help level out David Peterson, Kodai Senga, Clay Holmes, Sean Manaea and Nolan McLean. Stability, health and depth in the rotation will be important for this team and 100 percent will be the difference maker on whether this team will contend or not this year. With Peralta and McLean’s skill and my confidence in Christian Scott, I’m confident they’ll make it happen but we will see!

Allison Waxman

There seems to be a hamate bone injury epidemic in MLB this spring. First Jackson Holliday, then Francisco Lindor, and now Corbin Carroll. Francisco Lindor’s health is something to watch closely, especially as Opening Day approaches. However, if the shortstop isn’t ready, I’m curious to see how the Mets pivot. They traded away arguably their two “next men up” in Luisangel Acuña and Jett Williams, and now might play a game of shuffle. Bo Bichette, a shortstop by trade, moved to second base for the Blue Jays during the World Series and signed with the Mets to play third and Ronny Mauricio has seen just two big league innings at short. The team signed utility player Vidal Bruján, Grae Kessinger, Jackson Cluff and Christian Arroyo in the offseason to minor league deals.

All in all, it’ll be interesting to see how the Mets pivot — defensive versatility has always been David Stearns’ bread and butter, and that will finally be put to the test. If Lindor misses a sliver of the 2026 campaign, I’m looking to see who takes his spot temporarily on the roster.

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