NY Mets Opening Day roster prediction 2.0

The sun is shining in Port Saint Lucie, and the New York Mets have begun playing baseball games after a long but exciting offseason for the organization and its fans. With the calendar flipping to March, it is time for a new Opening Day roster prediction that reflects early spring performances and numerous injuries.

Spring injuries will have an impact on what the Mets Opening Day roster looks like

Positional Starters:

C: Francisco Alvarez
1B: Pete Alonso
2B: Jeff McNeil
3B: Mark Vientos
SS: Francisco Lindor
LF: Brandon Nimmo
CF: José Siri
RF: Juan Soto
DH: Jesse Winker

The Mets lineup is largely settled, with most positions locked in. Jesse Winker is set to platoon with Starling Marte at DH, and Carlos Mendoza will rotate between José Siri and Tyrone Taylor in center field. Given Siri’s strong spring performance thus far, he appears to be the front-runner for the Opening Day start.

Bench:

C: Luis Torrens
OF/DH: Starling Marte
OF: Tyrone Taylor
INF: Brett Baty

The most significant decision on the position player side will be choosing the backup infielder after Nick Madrigal’s season-ending injury. Brett Baty, Luisangel Acuña, and Donovan Walton are in the mix, but Baty has the edge thanks to his strong start in spring, lack of a left-handed bench option, and the Mets’ limited need for a backup shortstop with Lindor starting every day.

Starting Rotation:

SP1: Kodai Senga
SP2: Clay Holmes
SP3: David Peterson
SP4: Paul Blackburn
SP5: Griffin Canning

The Mets will likely use a six-man rotation, but with off-days early in the season, they won’t need a sixth starter until April 9th. This allows them to carry an additional reliever or bench player until then. Injuries to Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea mean means that Paul Blackburn and Griffin Canning will need to step up, though Blackburn’s readiness is uncertain due to offseason back surgery. If he’s not ready, Tylor Megill is next in line.

Bullpen:

CL:  Edwin Díaz
SU: A.J. Minter
SU: Ryne Stanek
MRP: Reed Garrett
MRP: Dedniel Núñez
MRP: José Buttó
MRP: Danny Young
LRP: Max Kranick

The bullpen returns mostly intact, with A.J. Minter added to the mix. Danny Young is out of options, which means he will have the upper hand for one of the final pen spots. Dedniel Núñez is battling a slow ramp-up from a late-season forearm injury, but the Mets are hopeful that he will be ready for Opening Day. Max Kranick’s strong spring performance has given him a good chance to make the roster, especially with the need for a multi-inning reliever in the wake of Griffin Canning’s move to the rotation.