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NY Mets: Three most exciting spring training position battles

By Mason Smoller

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 28: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) David Peterson #77 of the New York Mets in action against the New York Yankees during the second game of a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium on August 28, 2020 in New York City. The Mets defeated the Yankees 4-3. All players are wearing #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The day honoring Jackie Robinson, traditionally held on April 15, was rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 28: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) David Peterson #77 of the New York Mets in action against the New York Yankees during the second game of a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium on August 28, 2020 in New York City. The Mets defeated the Yankees 4-3. All players are wearing #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The day honoring Jackie Robinson, traditionally held on April 15, was rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – JULY 29: A detailed view of the Under Armour baseball shoes worn by Brandon Nimmo #9 of the New York Mets during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on July 29, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

On April 1st, 2021, the New York Mets will open their 2021 season at Nationals Park against National League East foe the Washington Nationals. It will mark the Metropolitan’s first game since September 27th, 2020 – a 15-5 loss to Washington.

Except a lot has changed since the two teams met. The Nationals have fixed their bullpen and and added veteran Jon Lester to their already stacked rotation (when healthy).

Nevertheless, it is the Mets who stole the show in the division this off-season. The Mets were purchased by Steve Cohen, who now sits as the richest owner in the sport. Luis Rojas’ squad also, at least on paper, appears to be a top World Series contender.

There is no doubting the talent of the New York Mets roster, but there are still things to work out, including three major position battles to watch for in Spring Training.

New York added one of the game’s biggest stars in Francisco Lindor and starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco in a trade with the Cleveland Indians. They also signed catcher James McCann, starting pitcher Taijuan Walker, reliever Trevor May, and many more.

The Mets will also see Marcus Stroman return to join Jacob deGrom in the starting rotation, and down the line Noah Syndergaard too. Oh, and how can one forget the team’s young core of Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, Michael Conforto, Dominic Smith, and more.

In other words, there is a reason behind Mets have the fifth-highest odds to make the World Series, ahead of any other team in the National League East. Yet, the New York Mets still have quite a bit to figure out before April 1st rolls around.

Here are the three most exciting battles to watch during Spring Training…

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