NEW YORK -- The first month of Spring Training did not alter much regarding the Mets’ roster picture. No one has won or lost a job just yet. No one has relinquished a spot due to injury. Surely, some of that will change between now and Opening Day.
In the interim, here’s a look at how the roster could shape up for March 26:
Catcher (2): Francisco Alvarez, Luis Torrens
Over his final 41 games in a return from injury last year, Alvarez hit eight homers with a .921 OPS. That sets him up well to run with the starting job in what’s still his age-24 season. Torrens will reprise his role as Alvarez’s backup, with veteran Austin Barnes and defensive whiz Hayden Senger next on the depth chart.
First baseman (1): Jorge Polanco
The man likely to assume the lion’s share of first-base reps is Polanco, who has never played a full professional inning at the position. Others capable of filling in include Brett Baty and Mark Vientos, but the plan is for Polanco to man first more often than not.
Second baseman (2): Marcus Semien, Vidal Bruján
The Mets acquired Semien hoping he could defensively stabilize the right side of the diamond. The durable infielder has appeared in all 162 games three times, though at age 35, he may need some help this time around. To that end, the Mets are well covered; Bruján, Baty and Ronny Mauricio are all capable of playing second. Baty is a roster lock, which means the Mets don’t necessarily have to carry another backup infielder. If they do, Bruján continues to make sense as that guy, particularly given his speed and ability to play shortstop.
Shortstop (1): Francisco Lindor
One of the game’s most durable players, Lindor has averaged 158 games per season over the past four years. The Mets will look for him to maintain that resilience at age 32 despite a hamate bone injury that has him questionable (at worst) for Opening Day.
Third baseman (1): Bo Bichette
The Mets signed Bichette, a natural shortstop, to be their everyday third baseman. Assuming he stays healthy, Bichette should man the position almost every day.
Outfielders (5): Juan Soto, Luis Robert Jr., Tyrone Taylor, Brett Baty, Carson Benge
The Mets’ most pressing roster question is whether Benge, their No. 2 prospect, will make the team. If he does, he’ll start in right field, with Soto and Robert at the other two spots. If not, Mike Tauchman will likely assume most right-field reps. Tauchman, who signed after the start of Spring Training, has been hot in the early days of camp and could certainly win the job outright. But Benge has been productive as well. It’s possible the Mets could decide to carry both Benge and Tauchman, relegating the latter to a bench role.
DH (1): Mark Vientos
While Vientos may be the only DH listed here, he’s not going to be the only Met to receive reps at the position. Polanco and Baty both figure to receive their share of DH days, along with veterans such as Lindor and Soto. (That is, provided manager Carlos Mendoza can convince them.)
Starting Pitchers (6): Freddy Peralta, Nolan McLean, Sean Manaea, Clay Holmes, David Peterson, Kodai Senga
Barring injury, the Mets plan to roll with these starters in a six-man rotation. Beyond them, New York’s next wave of depth includes Jonah Tong, Christian Scott and Tobias Myers, the latter of whom will open the season in the bullpen.
Relief Pitchers (7): Devin Williams, Luke Weaver, Brooks Raley, Luis García, Tobias Myers, Huascar Brazobán, Craig Kimbrel
The first five names here are locks, with Williams set to serve as closer. Brazobán would seem to have earned a spot as well based on past performance, but he has an accessible Minor League option, which may work against him. The wild card here is Kimbrel, who signed a Minor League contract that would be worth $2.5 million if he’s in the Majors. Kimbrel is likely a future Hall of Famer, but he’s also 37 years old and will need a productive run of Grapefruit League appearances to make the team. So far, it’s been good, not great.
Keep an eye out also for Bryan Hudson and Joe Jacques, the only healthy lefties still in camp outside of Raley. Both figure to remain in the mix until at least the final days of camp.
Injured List (4): A.J. Minter, Tylor Megill, Reed Garrett, Dedniel Núñez
Minter is in the final stages of his rehab from the torn left lat muscle that cost him most of last season, but he probably won’t be ready until early May. Megill, Garrett and Núñez are recovering from Tommy John surgeries and should miss the entire season.