Way too early Mets 26-man roster prediction for 2025 season

The Mets will enter the 2025 season with a lot more fanfare than they did last season -- a year that began with modest expectations but became memorable after a late-summer surge and riveting run to the NLCS.

Now, with Juan Soto in tow after the Mets lured him away from the Bronx, there are legitimate World Series aspirations.

And while the Mets' season is not World Series or bust, things are certainly heightened.

That's the way it should be, too, since the New York is set up for success both in 2025 and moving forward.

Their core is relatively young and primed to excel, they have a blossoming farm system that could churn out a half dozen or so potential impact players in the near future, and a crop of young position players who have already debuted and whose future is promising.

And even though Spring Training is only about a month away, the Mets' roster is very likely not close to finished.

The belief here is that they'll add another impact bat, a legitimate late-inning weapon, a designated hitter/outfielder, and perhaps make a trade or two before all is said and done.

With that said, here is our way-too-early prediction for what the 26-man roster will look like for the Mets on Opening Day...

REGULAR LINEUP

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

There are a handful of locks here, but still a lot of mystery regarding first base, second base, and designated hitter.

But while people have been bending over backwards to try to find a landing spot for Pete Alonso that isn't the Mets, they remain by far the most logical landing spot.

That's because Alonso seems destined to sign an opt-out filled, short-term deal (the type of contract the Mets shouldn't balk at). Additionally, while the Mets can conceivably shift Mark Vientos to first base and fill third base internally, that can't possibly be their preferred outcome.

The Mets need more thump in their lineup to protect Soto, and -- as has been the case since the offseason started -- a reunion with Alonso makes too much sense to not happen.

New York will also bring free agent Jesse Winker back, giving them someone who can be their DH against right-handers and start games in the outfield when needed.

The return of Alonso, which will keep Vientos at third base, will also give the Mets clarity when it comes to second base, with Jeff McNeil, Luisangel Acuña, and Ronny Mauricio the most likely options there.

Given the Mets' surplus on the infield, McNeil is someone who could possibly get traded before the end of his contract (he's entering the third year of a four-year extension). But the Mets would be selling low by dealing him now. It makes far more sense to begin the season with McNeil as the starter at second base.

As far as Mauricio, while he has a bat you can dream on, he has not played since tearing his ACL while playing Winter Ball last offseason. So while it's tempting to view Mauricio as a potential answer down the road, it's hard to envision him being on the roster from the jump this season -- let alone in a starting role.

STARTING ROTATION

Sean Manaea: LHP
Kodai Senga: RHP
David Peterson: LHP
Clay Holmes: RHP
Frankie Montas: RHP

With a handful of scheduled off days over the first few weeks of the season, the Mets will begin the year with a five-man rotation before transitioning to a six-man rotation -- which will help keep Kodai Senga fresh and keep Clay Holmes' innings total in check a bit as he transitions from relieving to starting.

Sean Manaea will lead the group, which will be rounded out by David Peterson and Frankie Montas.

Conspicuous in his absence is Japanese ace Roki Sasaki, who will sign with the Padres.

Other options to start include Paul Blackburn, Griffin Canning, Tylor Megill, and Jose Butto.

Blackburn, who is coming off surgery to repair a cerebrospinal fluid leak, could need some additional time to ramp up and be ready for a big workload.

As far as the others, it's fair to believe that some of them will end up in the bullpen (more on that in a second).

The wild card for the Mets' rotation this season -- not in March or April but down the line a bit -- could be flamethrowing right-hander Brandon Sproat.

Sproat had a bit of a rough adjustment after getting promoted to Triple-A Syracuse late last season, but if he masters the level this season, it will be very hard for the Mets to justify keeping him there. At that point, the Mets will have a good problem on their hands as they make room on the big league staff for a 24-year-old who has top of the rotation potential.

BULLPEN

Edwin Diaz: CLS
Tanner Scott: LHP
Dedniel Núñez: RHP
Reed Garrett: RHP
Jose Butto: RHP
Sean Reid-Foley: RHP
Danny Young: LHP
Griffin Canning: RHP

The way the market is shaking out, with tons of intriguing free agent relievers -- including a handful of eighth-or ninth-inning weapons -- still out there, it would be shocking if the Mets don't land someone to pair with Diaz at the end of games.

And the prediction here is that it will be Tanner Scott, who had a 1.75 ERA and 1.12 WHIP with 84 strikeouts in 72.0 innings last season for the Marlins and Padres.

Featuring a high-octane fastball/slider combination, Scott was among the most unhittable relievers in the game last year.

It's also fair to believe that Butto will be in the bullpen. And with him having gotten used to a relief role and what it entails, the Mets will hopefully be able to deploy him more often in 2025 than they did in 2024, when Butto would ordinarily need days off between appearances.

Sean Reid-Foley, who is out of options, should also be a part of the relief corps if healthy.

Meanwhile, Griffin Canning -- who can start or relieve -- will begin the year in a bullpen role.

Another intriguing arm is Huascar Brazoban, whom the Mets acquired from the Marlins last season. But Brazoban has minor league options remaining. Pair that with the fact that he struggled badly toward the end of last season, and you get a situation where he might be on the outside looking in.

BENCH

Jose Siri: OF
Luis Torrens: C
Luisangel Acuña: INF
Starling Marte: DH/OF

Siri and Torrens are locks, meaning the Mets really only have two spots to fill on their bench.

One of them will go to the speedy Luisangel Acuña, who can play shortstop, second base, and third base, and also has some experience in center field.

The other will go to Starling Marte, whose best fit eventually might be on a different team, but who can start the season as the short end of the Mets' DH platoon and as an insurance policy if a starting outfielder goes down.