As David Stearns looks toward Opening Day, the Mets president of baseball operations believes there are about three questions that need to be answered with two and a half weeks before the regular season begins.
The organization must decide who will be occupying right field, the final bench spot, and one or two bullpen spots in that time.
1 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 16, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets owner Steven A. Cohen addresses the media at spring training. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
1 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 16, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets owner Steven A. Cohen addresses the media at spring training. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
2 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 16, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets owner Steven A. Cohen addresses the media at spring training. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
3 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 16, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets center fielder Bo Bichette (19) talks to teammates during spring training. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
4 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 16, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets warm-up during spring training. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
5 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 16, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza (64) during spring training at Clover park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
6 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 16, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Bo Bichette, left, talks to teammates during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
7 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 16, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets fans watch spring training in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
8 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 16, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets right fielder Juan Soto (22) ties his shoe during spring training. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
9 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 16, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza (64) during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
10 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; Gear bags full of baseballs await the players during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
11 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean (26) looks on during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
12 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets third baseman Brett Baty (7) poses with Chase Kaldawy a fan visiting from Connecticut during the spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
13 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets third baseman Brett Baty’s (7) gear sits near a fowl line during the spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
14 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets players run on the field during spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
15 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) speaks to outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (88) and infielder Ronny Mauricio (0) during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
16 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Francisco Lindor (12) speaks to bench coach Kai Correa (not pictured) during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
17 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) plays catch during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
18 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Bo Bichette (19) works during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
19 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Bo Bichette (center) speaks to infielder Marcus Semien (left) and third base coach Tim Leiper (right) during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
20 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) looks on during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
21 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (88) looks on from the field during spring trining at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
22 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos (27) fields ground balls during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
23 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Bo Bichette (19) works during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
24 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Christian Arroyo (21) fields a ground ball during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
25 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets third baseman Brett Baty (7) fields a ground ball during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
26 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza (64) watches a bullpen session during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
27 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Sean Manaea (59) works during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
28 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga (34) works in the bullpen during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
29 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Devin Williams (38) works in the bullpen during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
30 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (88) bunts the ball during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
31 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) looks on before taking batting practice during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
32 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos (27) gets ready to bat during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
33 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) takes batting practice during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
34 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) speaks to managers Carlos Mendoza (right) and assistant general manager Eduardo Brizuela (left) during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
35 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets players take batting practice during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
36 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Mark Vientos (27) walks on the field with a bat during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
37 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Alex Carrillo (84) throws weighted wall ball drills during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
38 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Trey McGough (54) throws bullpen during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
39 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets bullpen coach José Rosado (67) watches bullpen pitching during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
40 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets catcher Luis Torrens (13) throws a ball during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
41 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Brian Metoyer(6) throws a pitch during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
42 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; Fans watch a pitcher work in the bullpen during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
43 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher David Peterson (23) sits inside a dugout during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
44 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher David Peterson (23) walks inside a dugout during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
45 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher David Peterson (23) pitches during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
46 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Clay Holmes (35) throws a pitch during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
47 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Huascar Brazoban (43) pitches during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
48 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Clay Holmes (35) delivers a pitch during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
49 / 49
NY Mets spring training 2026 photos from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) throws a pitch during the New York Mets spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
“For the most part, this is about getting our team and individual players ready for the season,” Stearns told reporters Monday at spring training Port St. Lucie, Florida.
Advertisement
“I think we’re doing that. I think our coaching staff has done a really nice job of making sure this is a well-run efficient camp, and we’ve done that so far.”
STOCK UP, STOCK DOWN: Rating these Mets players right now at spring training
A major objective throughout camp has been focusing on defense, particularly with Bo Bichette, Jorge Polanco and Brett Baty all learning new spots.
Within those segments of the team and in the infield, there is a certain sense of intrigue with a few weeks remaining of Grapefruit League play.
Here are three takeaways as Stearns addressed the media:
Is Francisco Lindor still on track for Mets’ Opening Day?
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Francisco Lindor (12) speaks to bench coach Kai Correa (not pictured) during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
As Francisco Lindor continues to work back from surgery to his left hand to repair a fractured hamate bone, the Mets shortstop has begun taking infield drills and swinging in the cages.
Advertisement
Those are important benchmarks as Lindor aims to be on the field for the Mets’ first matchup of the season on March 26 against the Pirates at Citi Field.
“All indications we have is this is going as planned,” Stearns said, “and we would expect we have a similar level of optimism that he’ll be ready for Opening Day.”
Stearns said it would be a “prerequisite” that Lindor gets at-bats in a game setting before he takes the field in the regular season. The expectation is Lindor would play in the Grapefruit League, but where that action would take place is yet to be determined.
Has Carson Benge done enough to make Mets roster?
New York Mets right fielder Carson Benge (93) makes a diving catch to retire St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Nelson Velázquez (not pictured) during the second inning on Feb. 27, 2026, at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.
The biggest decision for the Mets front office between now and Opening Day could be who will be the starting right fielder.
Advertisement
After more than two weeks of Grapefruit League play, Carson Benge, Mike Tauchman and MJ Melendez have each showcased valuable tools. Meanwhile, Baty is continuing to cut his teeth in the outfield.
Among those contenders, the most intrigue is presented by the 23-year-old Benge, the club’s top position player prospect, who has looked comfortable at the plate and in the field despite minimal experience above Double A. He’s 7-for-20 with three runs and an RBI and has shown off his athleticism with the glove.
“In the games, we’ve seen what we would have expected,” Stearns said. “He’s taken very competitive at-bats. He’s a tough out. I think he’s played a nice right field. He’s done we would expect him to do. We think he’s going to be a really good player, and we’ll have a difficult decision as we get towards the end of camp.”
The club has two weeks before it decides whether Benge has done enough to merit a roster spot or if it wants a more seasoned veteran there to begin the season. Whatever move is made, Stearns expects Benge to contribute over the course of 2026.
Advertisement
“There’s no question about that,” Stearns said. “I think the way he has developed throughout his professional career indicates that he’s reaching that level.”
Will Mets meet their goal of improved defense?
New York Mets third baseman Bo Bichette (19) returns to the dugout against the Houston Astros during the third inning on Feb. 24, 2026, at Clover Park.
With a big arm that was worked off the mound as a two-way player at Oklahoma State, Benge can be part of the Mets’ improved defensive puzzle for the upcoming season.
The additions of Gold Glovers in Marcus Semien and Luis Robert Jr. have aided Stearns’ vision of better run prevention up the middle. New bench coach Kai Correa’s defensive vision is also being exercised on the field day to day.
“I think everyone in our clubhouse knows we’re emphasizing defense, and it’s important,” Stearns said, “and we expect a similar level of work there to what we’re putting in on the offensive side of the ball.”
Advertisement
Now, will Bichette and Polanco be able to fill in for the first time at third and first base, respectively? Stearns has been encouraged in the early going.
“There are nuances that that they’re learning,” Stearns said. “They’re going to continue to learn, and it’s not going to be perfect, but I’m certainly pleased with the actions they’re showing, what we’re seeing in their daily work, and I think they’re progressing well.”
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Mets updates on Francisco Lindor injury, roster decisions