Mets manager Carlos Mendoza spoke with reporters following Monday's workouts in Port St. Lucieto discuss a number of topics surrounding the team....
'Embracing expectations' for 2026 season
Mendoza opened his availability by discussing the messaging to the team over the first couple of days at spring training. The manager made it clear how they can prepare for the 2026 season after a disappointing 2025, helping them realize the opportunity that lies ahead.
"Without getting in to much details. I think it's just embracing expectations, enjoying the meaning of putting this uniform on, what it means, what we represent, and what we're here for," Mendoza said. "So it was just more along those lines."
He added: "There's always high expectations here. Our goal is to be the last team standing, and we haven't done that the past couple of years. Understanding the responsibility and what's ahead of us, and just embrace it. We have a really good opportunity to do something special here, so that's the messaging there."
Mendoza also discussed the importance of building team cohesion, and believes some of the new players' experience can play a helpful part.
"I'm the leader, but I also feel like we have a pretty good leadership group there so I think it's a group effort. Just building relationships, connections, so we can earn the trust. That's how you start forming that foundation. I think it's important.
"I said it the other day, these guys, even though they are new faces playing together for the first time, they've known each other for a long time. We got a lot of guys that have been around this league, so they know each other. I think it's just now a matter of us putting it together. Coming together as a team and go out there and do the things that we need to do on the field.
Christian Scott 'competing and being himself'
Mendoza was pleased with what he saw from right-hander Christian Scott, who threw a live bullpen session on Monday. The 26-year-old looks to work his way back to the big leagues after missing the entire 2025 season due to Tommy John surgery recovery.
"It's all about health and he looks healthy today. I think he was up to 95 (mph)," Mendoza said. "The cutter is a pitch now that looks really good. Again, we got to build him up, but it's good to see him back out there on the mound competing and being himself this early."
Scott made nine starts during the 2024 season, posting 39 strikeouts over 47.1 IP, before getting injured. It's likely that he'll start the year in Triple-A to keep building up, but he could still be a valuable contributor to New York's rotation at some point during the season.
Mendoza said there isn't a definitive plan for Scott yet compared to other pitchers, but the righty's fastball has looked good and "he's put himself in this position and he's ready to go now."
"I wouldn't say so. He's got to pitch, he's got to pitch. We've got to build him up," Mendoza said. "But the fact that he's already throwing two innings, up to 30-something pitches is a good sign. Again, we need this guy. Our job is to keep him healthy and we will continue to build him up and see where we're at."
Carlos Mendoza believes Christian Scott was throwing up to 95 MPH in today's live BP:
— SNY (@SNYtv) February 16, 2026
"We've got to build him up, but it's good to see him back out there on the mound competing and being himself this early." pic.twitter.com/BHBrkCONRN
Luis Robert Jr. to benefit from new surroundings
One of New York's big offseason acquisitions was trading for Luis Robert Jr. from the Chicago White Sox. The outfielder became a well-known name in 2023 after hitting 38 home runs, but injuries have dampened his production the past two seasons, combining for just 28 homers over 210 games.
Chicago's overall struggles the past couple of years did not help Robert, as he was one of their few above-average players and often looked at as someone who could save the team. Now, he'll be teammates with multiple All-Stars, including Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, Bo Bichette, and Marcus Semien, allowing him to focus on playing quality baseball.
"We know what he can do when he's healthy. We saw it in 2023," Mendoza said. "The fact now that he's going to be surrounded with pretty good players, and probably you're not asking him to carry the load for the team. So I think it maybe takes something off his shoulder and just concentrate on playing baseball.
"Our job is to keep him on the field, keep him healthy. But we know that when he's healthy, he can do some things that are special. I'm excited that he's here with us. We're counting on a lot of the guys that are going to help him get to that next level."
Jorge Polanco's impressive approach at the plate
Another one of David Stearns' offseason moves was signing veteran Jorge Polanco to a two-year deal with the expectation for him to play mostly first base. While it's something he hasn't done at the major-league level, the Mets are confident in the former middle infielder's ability.
Despite his defense being a topic of conversation, it's his approach at the plate that has stood out to Mendoza early this spring.
"His ability to spread the ball around the field," Mendoza said. "He goes the other way, he puts the ball in play, he's just a tough at-bat. He'll give you a quality at-bat from both sides, righty or lefty. His ability to drive the ball, I think he drove one today. But then I also see him go the other way, foul off some pitches.
"He's just like I said, he's a professional at-bat. So that's what we've seen throughout his career and so far in live BP, that's what we've seen."
Polanco owned a .265 batting average last season with Seattle, hitting .305 vs. LHP and .254 vs. RHP. Mendoza believes that skillset will be very valuable for New York this year, especially with his versatility from both sides.