Recapping the Mets’ 2024 Spring Training

With the Mets gearing up for their final Spring Training game, let’s look back at their 2024 spring season A different group will break north with the team than previously expected when spring began, but that’s typically how things work. Players get injured, others underperform, while some have themselves a spring to remember. Below, we’ll reflect on what occurred these past few months in Port St. Lucie and what’s to come for the Mets …

The Core Returns

One of the biggest storylines this offseason has been the future of Pete Alonso. As he enters his walk year, the consensus is an extension won’t be discussed during the season. Steve Cohen wants him to have his best season, commenting, “I want him to make it so difficult for me in free agency.” Well, Pete was off to the races in spring, going 16-for-50 through 18 games with two home runs, five doubles and four RBIs. He’s hitting .320/404/.540/.944 this spring with seven walks and 11 strikeouts.

Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo and Francisco Álvarez look ready for Opening Day both at the plate and in the field. Meanwhile, Brett Baty, in desperate need of a big year, has put together a solid spring, with three home runs and is hitting .255/.333/.451/.784 through his 18 games.

A significant highlight was the return of Starling Marte after he missed the majority of 2023 with a groin injury. After a successful stint in Winter League play, the outfielder has looked agile and pain-free running the bases and in the field.

Make or Break

While a lot has to go right to win ballgames, it all starts with the rotation. If it’s smooth sailing, everyone’s happy, however, if it’s rough waters, then there’s a problem. The Mets entered spring with almost a new rotation; Rookie of the Year runner-up Kodai Senga and José Quintana are the only holdovers. However, Senga went down early with an injury, and while he’ll begin throwing soon, it’ll be at least a couple of months before he’s back in Queens.

Tylor Megill took the final roster spot, beating out Joey Lucchesi and José Buttó. The rotation will comprise of Megill, Quintana, Adrian Houser, Sean Manaea and Luis Severino. Stearns infused his “low-risk, high-reward” signings this offseason, especially in the pitching department, and the rotation is no exception. Severino’s ERA was north of 6.00 in 2023 but has delivered a strong spring, allowing just two earned runs in 14 innings of work.

The Mets pitching staff enters their final spring game leading MLB in ERA with a 3.49, and sits behind the Tigers in batting average against at .221. For a staff who simply couldn’t figure it out last season, things are a bit cloudy heading into 2024. A giant question mark remains on the rotation, and it will no doubt be what makes this team a postseason contender or not. In less ominous news, Edwin Díaz looks like he’s in 2022 form already, solidifying the back of the bullpen.

Surprise, Surprise

The Mets’ biggest offseason signing came in the final days of spring. After rumors swirled for months, the Mets and J.D. Martinez finally agreed on a one-year, $12.5 million deal. For a team teetering the line of playoff contenders, the signing gives them an extra push in the right direction.

However, that said, it also changes the plans for some players. Mark Vientos takes the biggest hit with the signing, as evident Sunday when David Stearns announced that Vientos was optioned to Triple-A to start the year. After a slow start to the spring, the right-hander has a club-high five home runs, two doubles and nine RBIs through 56 at-bats.

While Martinez might have been the most notable signing the Mets made before the season, the most surprising move was Zack Short making the Opening Day roster. A non-roster invitee to Spring Training, Short has been stellar, posting a .900 OPS through 39 at-bats. He provides the Mets with much-needed defensive versatility.

The Future is Bright

2024 saw the first of what is hopefully a yearly tradition in Spring Training: the Spring Breakout game. This event saw the top Mets prospects take on the top Nationals prospects. Some names who turned heads include Ryan Clifford, Kevin Parada, Jeremy Rodriguez, Brandon Sproat, Nolan McLean and Tyler Stuart.

Outside of this event, several prominent Mets prospects have seen regular playing time in games throughout the spring. These include pitchers Christian Scott, Jett Williams, Drew Gilbert and Luisangel Acuña. There’s a solid chance all four will see time in Queens at some point in 2024. All in all, the Mets turned their farm system around in a season, and things are only looking on the up from here.

The Time is Now

Ever since the trade deadline last August, it’s never been exactly clear what the Mets’ intentions were for 2024. Were they competing, or was it a transition year? The Martinez signing made it official — they are competing with no intentions of punting.

Owner Steve Cohen made it clear that his prior approach to spending big for quick results might not have worked. Instead, he took a different approach this offseason, signing players when the time was right and who would help put the team in the best position possible to win.

While the depth moves seemed lackluster during the offseason, they were strategic. It’s a different kind of Mets team in 2024, one that might be for the better.