Mets Pre-Opening Day Press Conference

One more sleep before the 2026 New York Mets take the field for the first time at Citi Field. Before that, the Mets announced their Opening Day roster, and multiple folks talked to the media with the key notes down below.

David Stearns

President of baseball operations David Stearns spoke about the construction of the 2026 Mets roster, describing it as a balanced roster. He spoke on the depth and how he believes that it can compensate for injuries and underperformance. He is happy with where they are and feels they have improved in their target areas including defense up the middle, positional versatility, and they got through camp in a good spot in terms of health.

Stearns said it has been far too long since the Mets won a World Series. He was only one-year old when they last won so he has no memories of it as it happened. He said they are doing everything they can to both put a really good team on the field right now, as well as for the foreseeable future. Make the playoffs year in and year out.

Stearns said Sean Manaea will make “a lot of starts” this year for the Mets and that they saw flashes of really good during spring from the secondary stuff. Even with lower velocity they still saw swing and miss and they expect the velocity to tick up throughout April

On guys who have been cut from other teams after strong springs, Stearns said the Mets feel they are well informed on players outside Mets camp. They have scouts all over and feel they are able to evaluate those players well compared to the ones they have in camp.

On Freddy Peralta, he said he is competitive and positive as ever, and is the same person he met years ago as a 19 year old. Stearns refused to talk on the potential of a Peralta extension.

Carson Benge‘s quality of at bats, hard work, and positive outlook is what led him to make the team, per Stearns. Benge knew he was a story and in the headlines heading into camp and he was consistent and steady throughout.

Stearns described the goals for Ronny Mauricio are for him to get regular playing time in Triple-A and that he will get time in the majors to make an impact on the 2026 roster.

He said opening day is fun and that everyone gets to exhale for half a day and enjoy it. “Everyone gets to be a fan on opening day”.

Freddy Peralta

In less than 24 hours Freddy Peralta will make his first start as a New York Met. The way he spoke about the Mets with the media, you would think he has been here for years. He described his teammates as his family and discussed how they feel comfortable coming to him for help while he also feels comfortable going to them for help.

He described starting Opening Day in Citi Field as familiar – this is his third straight Opening Day start in New York City. He delved deeper into his love of New York City and Queens and his love of the latin community in the city. Peralta has family throughout Corona and Flushing.

On facing Paul Skenes, Freddy recognized that the Mets will face many great pitchers this season, and that his job is just to go out and do the best he can knowing that it will be a tough day for the offense. He said his goal every start is to make it at least six innings and set his team up to win.

When asked if he expects to be a free agent at the end of the season or if there could be an extension, Peralta simply said “no comments on that.”

Carlos Mendoza

The Mets had a tough decision between Richard Lovelady and Bryan Hudson, but the teams familiarity with Lovelady and his ability to go multiple innings is what won him the job.

Between Jared Young and Vidal Brujan the Mets felt they needed Young’s offensive capabilities on this roster more than Brujan’s defensive versatility. As the only left-handed bat on the bench he provides that matchup benefit against tough right-handed pitcher matchups. In Triple-A Young slashed .326/.420/.660/1.080. Young had an option while Brujan did not.

Bo Bichette will likely be the backup shortstop if Francisco Lindor needs a day off his feet or a day of rest.

Mendoza said Benge’s steadiness and consistency is what will make him a successful major leaguer. He said he is very mature and he has the personality to handle adversity. He will play a lot but they will protect him as he goes through a 162-game season for the first time, giving him days off as needed.

The Mets feel really good about the defensive progression of Bo Bichette at third base, Jorge Polanco at first base and Brett Baty in the outfield. He said there will likely still be some growing pains but they are prepared and have made great progress throughout spring.

After improving the baserunning side of the game, Soto has put in the work to improve as a defender. He is committed and Mendoza expects him to be better defensively in 2026 than he was in 2025. He worked with the Mets defensive staff on his pre pitch routine.

He described the Mets lineup as being filled with 13 players who could be starters on teams in the majors which gives him plenty of options, as well as plenty of hard decisions when setting the lineup each day.

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