Spring training is a magical time of year. Hope is in the air, optimism is abundant, and every team is tied for first place—at least until the games start. For the Mets, the second day of camp brought plenty of storylines, and Mets manager Carlos Mendoza had plenty to say about them.
One of the more intriguing experiments this spring is Clay Holmes’ transition from high-leverage reliever to starting pitcher. If you listen to Mendoza, Holmes is making the switch look easy. "The fact that on day one of pitchers and catchers he's already at three ups, that's pretty impressive," Mendoza noted. Considering some pitchers are still dusting off their gloves and figuring out where the coffee machine is, that’s no small feat.
Holmes has been all-in since signing, working with the Mets' pitching staff to prepare for the new role. Mendoza and company aren't worried about innings just yet. "We trust the process, we trust our guys," he said, using the phrase that has comforted front offices and terrified fanbases for years. But with Holmes working on expanding his arsenal—including a changeup and a possible cutter—this is a storyline worth watching.
For years, the Mets have been searching for a homegrown bat to stick in the lineup and stay there. Mark Vientos wants to be that guy. Not only did he show up early to camp, but Mendoza raved about the work Vientos put in this offseason. "His work was phenomenal. I saw him early in January with Lindor, and he looked like he was ready to play nine innings."
Vientos flashed potential in 2024 and in last year’s playoffs, and Mendoza believes that wasn’t a fluke. "Yeah, it’s a small sample size, but you're facing elite pitching, and it's the biggest stage," he said. Vientos has shown he can adjust, and in a sport where the league figures out your weaknesses faster than you can say "launch angle," that’s everything.
Mendoza didn’t get much of a chance to manage Kodai Senga last year, but he’s looking forward to seeing more of his ace in 2025. Senga threw a bullpen session and, according to Mendoza, "looked good." No manager in history has ever said a pitcher "looked bad" in February, but we’ll take his word for it.
Beyond mechanics and velocity readings, Mendoza wants to build trust with Senga. "When it’s time to go get him and take the ball away, I want to see how he reacts." Considering Senga’s competitive nature, Mendoza might want to bring a helmet and some good negotiation skills.
In other pitching news, A.J. Minter is ramping up, and the Mets are taking a cautious approach with him and Dedneil Nunez due to past injuries. Drew Smith is back but coming off Tommy John and most likely not going to pitch this season, but Mendoza is happy to have him: "When healthy, he takes the ball. High leverage, multiple innings, doesn’t matter. He’s a gamer."
Mendoza also emphasized the importance of team chemistry, a crucial ingredient in last year’s success. "We've got to make sure we welcome these new guys, whether they make the Opening Day roster or not," he said. Spring training isn’t just about who makes the team—it’s about building a culture.
Two days in, and the Mets are already full of intrigue. Clay Holmes is reinventing himself, Mark Vientos is out to prove he belongs, and Mendoza is setting the tone for the season. If spring training is any indication, it’s going to be an interesting year in Queens.
Here is the complete press conference:
Comments