Carlos Mendoza isn't wearing a poker face with his NY Mets Opening Day lineup plans

As spring training rolls on, media and fans alike embrace their inner armchair manager, debating everything from the ideal roster to the bullpen pecking order—and, of course, the batting lineup. Some skippers keep their cards close to the vest, while others spend March tinkering with their order, experimenting with how players perform in various spots and alongside different teammates. Not Carlos Mendoza. With most of his opening day roster already penciled in, the New York Mets’ skipper isn’t bothering to put on his mirrored shades and fix a statuesque stare. Instead, he shoved his chips to the middle of the table and practically announced, “Here’s what I’ve got, try to beat it.”

Francisco Lindor's move to the leadoff spot on May 18, 2024, was a game-changer for the Mets. Before that shift, the team struggled with a 20-24 record. But once Lindor took the top spot, the Mets went on to clinch the NL's final Wild Card spot, with Lindor becoming an NL MVP candidate. This season, Lindor's place at the top of the order is written in Sharpie, not pencil. The real intrigue lies in how Mendoza will stack up Vientos, Soto, Nimmo, and Alonso.

Based on the Mets lineup in four spring training games, we might get a sneak peek at his strategy.

Over the first 10 spring training games, Lindor, Soto, and Alonso have each suited up in four of them, and as Mendoza would have it, they were the same four. On February 22nd, 24th, 26th, and 28th, their batting order was a consistent affair: Lindor leading off, followed by Soto, then Alonso. And for those wondering if these appearances were exclusive to Port St. Lucie, think again. Two of these games took place on the road against the Cardinals and the Marlins.

After his first game on February 23, Vientos has only shown up when the Mets' big three were on the field, lining up behind Alonso as the cleanup hitter in two of those appearances. Then on February 28, when Nimmo made his season debut, Nimmo slid into the fourth spot, nudging Vientos to fifth in the order. In one fell swoop, Mendoza unveiled what might be his best five-card hand: Lindor, Soto, Alonso, Nimmo, and Vientos. This lineup not only showcases a balanced mix of lefties and righties, but it also provides the team with both power and versatility—key ingredients for a successful season.

The more we see this same combination show up on the lineup card, it would appear that Mendoza isn’t bluffing—he’s showing his hand early, and it’s a strong one. While other managers tinker and hesitate, he’s already laid the foundation for a lineup built on balance, firepower, and a clear vision. Lindor at the top is a given, but the real story is how the rest of the order takes shape around him. If these spring training games are any indication, Mendoza isn’t searching for the right combination—he already has it and is pushing his chips into the middle.