Mar 14, 2025; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) returns from the field during the sixth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images

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Mets Opening Day 2025: Predicted Starting Lineup

Where will Juan Soto bat?

Can Juan Soto be the answer to all questions? If you’re a Yankees fan, you’ve already seen it. The lefty-prodigy strolled into the Bronx, mashed baseballs, and dragged New York to its first World Series appearance since 2009. He was The Answer. Now, he’s just a few miles away, wearing a different completely different shade, potentially locked in for the next 15 years as the face of the New York Mets.

The Mets, who have been no strangers to splashy spending and dramatic roster moves, now boast one of the most dangerous lineups in franchise history. If everyone stays healthy, this offense could carry them deep into October. The only real question now is where everyone slots in and who gets the final utility-man spot.

how many walks will juan soto have this year? pic.twitter.com/jBGUUHwV8Q
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) March 14, 2025

Of course, the Mets’ lineup isn’t immune to some early-season setbacks. Jeff McNeil’s oblique injury shakes things up at second base, Francisco Alvarez is out to start the season, and the bottom of the order might look a little patchy. But the top is just straight-up scary. Even outside Juan Soto, the New York Mets had a good offseason, added some pitching, though they’re injured now, and have added more depth to make this one of the more powerful Mets lineups in recent times.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Juan Soto gives a fitting response to a fan yelling ‘Overpaid, Overrated’

Some notable names have come and gone. The headline arrivals: Juan Soto, Clay Holmes

Arrivals:

Juan Soto (15-year deal)
Pete Alonso (re-signed; 2-year deal)
Clay Holmes (3-year deal)
Sean Manaea (re-signed; 3-year deal)
Frankie Montas (2-year deal)
A.J. Minter (2-year deal)
Jesse Winker (re-signed; 1-year deal)
Jose Siri (trade with Rays)
Ryne Stanek (1-year deal)

Departures:

Luis Severino (Athletics)
Harrison Bader (Twins)
Adam Ottavino (Red Sox)
J.D. Martinez (unsigned)
Phil Maton (unsigned)
Jose Quintana (unsigned)

Mets Projected Opening Day Lineup:

Francisco Lindor (SS): MVP runner-up last year. More lineup protection than ever. If he ditches his usual slow starts, this could be a career year.
Juan Soto (RF): The $765 million man. If spring training is a preview of what’s to come, the Mets are about to get their money’s worth. He’s walking. He’s hitting. He’s making pitchers miserable.
Pete Alonso (1B): Still here. Still crushing baseballs. A staple in the heart of the order, though where exactly he bats is a bit of a puzzle.
Brandon Nimmo (LF): Traditionally a leadoff guy, but in this lineup, he’s got to adjust. Only 58 career at-bats in the cleanup spot, but he’ll see plenty of chances with the big three setting the table.
Mark Vientos (3B): Coming off a 27-homer breakout season, he’s the X-factor. A .726 OPS in this spot suggests he can handle the pressure.
Jesse Winker (DH): A lefty bat with pop, but he might be in a platoon role. Still, a solid presence in the middle of the order.
Tyrone Taylor (CF): With Starling Marte’s playing time being managed and Jose Siri also in the mix, center field is a revolving door.
Brett Baty (2B): McNeil’s injury opens the door for him, and he’s taking advantage, hitting .347 with three homers this spring.
Luis Torrens (C): With Alvarez sidelined, Torrens gets the nod. Not exactly a powerhouse bat, but he can handle the staff.

Mets Projected Rotation

While the offense should be electric, the Mets’ rotation is already walking a tightrope. Injuries have hit hard, with Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas both sidelined. The solution? The Yankees’ former closer, Clay Holmes, is now a starter and, will be the Mets’ Opening Day guy.

ALSO READ: New York Mets Are Betting Big on Clay Holmes as a Rotation Piece

Kodai Senga (RHP)
Clay Holmes (RHP)
David Peterson (LHP)
Griffin Canning (RHP)
Tylor Megill (RHP)

That’s… not quite the dominant rotation Mets fans may have hoped for, but it’s what they’ve got. If Senga builds off last year and Holmes makes a smooth transition, they’ll at least be competitive.

Clay Holmes is ready for his #OpeningDay start after striking out 8 over 5.1 scoreless innings!

He finishes up his #SpringTraining with:

0.93 ERA
0.78 WHIP
23 K pic.twitter.com/foSndZvDEH
— MLB (@MLB) March 21, 2025

The Mets’ lineup looks terrifying at the top and questionable at the bottom, while the rotation has serious concerns. Soto changes everything, but is he enough? That remains to be seen.

Clay Holmes

Juan Soto

New York Mets

Mohsin Baldiwala

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Mohsin Baldiwala is a Master’s student in Journalism and freelance content producer who got hooked on baseball through Seinfeld’s hapless George Costanza. The same reason why he’s a Yankees fan. He writes about sports because he believes it can offer a brief escape from the world’s chaos. Even if that means enduring the heartbreak of the 2024 World Series.