PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Among the New York Mets brass, there has been plenty of talk of building for October.
Not long ago, that was more of a dream than a realistic expectation. But coming off a 101-win season and with the priciest payroll in Major League Baseball, anything less than a playoff trip would be considered a disappointment for the Mets heading into the 2023 season.
As they embark on that quest for back-to-back postseason visits with a handful of injuries to their pitching staff, here is where the Mets stand ahead of Opening Day.
Projected Mets Opening Day lineup
- Brandon Nimmo, CF
- Starling Marte, RF
- Francisco Lindor, SS
- Pete Alonso, 1B
- Jeff McNeil, 2B
- Mark Canha, LF
- Daniel Vogelbach, DH
- Eduardo Escobar, 3B
- Omar Narvaez, C
What to know: There was some concern late in the spring that Brandon Nimmo would be unable to join the Opening Day lineup for a second straight season after mild strains to his right ankle and knee, but the center fielder tested it out in the final two spring training games and came through fine. The only other change from last season is the arrival of Omar Narvaez behind the plate.
Projected Mets rotation
- Max Scherzer, RHP
- David Peterson, LHP
- Justin Verlander, RHP
- Kodai Senga, RHP
- Carlos Carrasco, RHP
Closer: David Robertson, RHP
What to know: A spot in the rotation opened up following a rib injury to Jose Quintana, which will keep him out until at least July. David Peterson asserted himself as the best option to replace him with 12 scoreless innings this spring.
Buck Showalter said he wants to separate Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander in the rotation to potentially provide some relief for the team's bullpen.
MAX SCHERZER:Named Mets' Opening Day 2023 starter in a duel of Cy Young Award winners
David Robertson, who has 157 career saves, is likely to get the first crack at filling in for the injured Edwin Diaz in the closer role. Adam Ottavino will surely get some opportunities, as well.
Mets newcomers
RHP John Curtiss, LHP Jose Quintana, LHP Brooks Raley, RHP David Robertson, RHP Dennis Santana, RHP Kodai Senga, RHP Justin Verlander,
Players not returning from 2022
RHP Chris Bassitt, RHP Jacob deGrom, RHP Mychal Givens, RHP Seth Lugo, RHP Trevor May, LHP Joely Rodriguez, 1B Dominic Smith, RHP Taijuan Walker, RHP Trevor Williams
Players starting 2023 on injured list
Sam Coonrod (high-grade lat strain), Edwin Diaz (torn patellar tendon), Bryce Montes de Oca (stress reaction in right elbow), Jose Quintana (rib stress fracture),
Outlook: The biggest blow was dealt during the World Baseball Classic when Diaz tore his patellar tendon in his right knee and underwent surgery. The top closer in baseball is expected to miss the 2023 season with a long shot to return in the final month.
The earliest that Quintana could return will be July after imaging of his stress fracture in his rib revealed a lesion that led bone graft surgery.
While each performing well in the spring, both Montes de Oca and Coonrod, who will be out for several weeks, would have been two of the final men in the bullpen if they made the Opening Day roster.
3 KEYS TO NL PENNANT RACE
1. Can the bullpen keep it together?
Without one of the top closers in baseball, it will be up to either David Robertson, Adam Ottavino or both to try and lock down the ninth inning for the Mets.
After that, the team has two quality veterans in Brooks Raley and Drew Smith, but together that pairing has not proven long-term success and dealt with some injuries, respectively. Tommy Hunter has been sold this spring but is entering his age-36 season.
The other options in the early going are likely to be Stephen Nogosek, Dennis Santana and John Curtiss, who have potential but limited success.
2. Can the offense pack enough of a punch?
A season ago, the Mets collectively posted the best batting average, most hits and third-most runs in the National League.
The one area that the Mets were lacking in? Power hitting.
The Mets were tied for 15th in MLB with 171 home runs, with Pete Alonso supplying 40 of them or 23.4 percent of the team's long balls. They produced with collective success throughout the lineup but when they needed to strike a major blow with runner's in scoring position in the playoffs, they fell flat.
3. Will the starting rotation avoid more attrition?
The Mets were fortunate enough to have a safety net in the form of David Peterson when Quintana went down for at least the opening three months of the season.
Peterson would be in the starting rotation for most teams in the league, so it was not much of a drop-off.
However, the Mets have some risks in leaning on 40-year-old Justin Verlander and 36-year-old Max Scherzer. They need those two to be performing at a high level while Kodai Senga acclimates. They only have a little more of a leash with Tylor Megill or Joey Lucchesi as the team's seventh or eighth options.
Mets rookie watch
According to MLB Pipeline, Francisco Alvarez is the No. 3 prospect in baseball but he was sent down to Triple-A Syracuse on March 22 as the catcher looks to improve his receiving skills. The 21-year-old played 45 games at that level last season, ripping nine home runs with 31 RBI and 31 runs.
Brett Baty had arguably the best chance to make the Mets' Opening Day roster entering team camp but the front office decided to option the third base prospect to Triple-A despite slashing .325/.460/.425 with a home run, seven runs and six RBI. With a few more reps at third base and continued offensive production, he should crack the MLB roster before long.
Mark Vientos, meanwhile, received more time at first base during spring camp and showcased his bat with 11 RBI and a .791 OPS.
Ronny Mauricio, the 21-year-old shortstop prospect, flashed his potential with four home runs during spring but has yet to play above Double-A.
Trade watch
The Mets decided to move on from Darin Ruf, but they only had until Monday to trade him or be forced to eat his $3 million salary plus a $250,000 buyout.
The Mets do not necessarily have a surplus at any position but now they could stand to gain with the addition of a power-hitting righty or more bullpen depth.
Manager's report: How far can Buck Showalter take them?
Buck Showalter is coming off his fourth Manager of the Year honor. He's now won that award with four separate teams, including the Yankees, Rangers and Orioles.
He's entering his second year of a three-year, $11.25 million deal and will want to improve on last season's exit in the National League Wildcard Series.
While 19th all time with 1,652 victories, Showalter is only 10-16 in the playoffs and never been to the World Series. He's hoping to change that this season.
