3 more unplanned NY Mets Opening Day surprises we're about to see come true

2) A chance for Brett Baty and Luisangel Acuna

A low-grade oblique strain to Jeff McNeil has opened up a spot at second base and, for now, settled the spring training debate over who would earn that final bench spot on the Mets’ Opening Day roster. Brett Baty, already taking reps at second, is now a lock, with his spring numbers off the charts: a .375 batting average, .444 OBP, and 1.101 OPS in 32 at-bats have Met fans optimistic that he’s turned a corner.

Despite options like Donovan Walton and Luis De Los Santos, the smart move for the Mets is to bring up Luisangel Acuña to platoon with Baty. Though his momentum from last season and winter ball has stalled a bit this spring, his abilities make it hard to leave him off the 2025 roster.

His speed alone makes him a late-game threat if Mendoza needs a stolen base or someone to score from first. Add in his right-handed bat, which gives the Mets a valuable platoon option depending on the pitcher, and he becomes even harder to ignore. And while Lindor rarely takes a day off, Acuña provides a reliable safety net at shortstop if needed.

When the 2025 season kicks off, expect to see Acuña at second, especially with the Astros set to send lefty Framber Valdez to the mound on Opening Day.