Mets Thawing Out: Countdown to Opening Day

This article takes a wide-angle look at the latest happenings across Major League Baseball. The focus lands mostly on the New York Mets, with a good dose of roster talk, prospect buzz, and league-wide storylines as the new season creeps closer.

From roster projections and prospect rankings to transactions and lineup tweaks, it’s clear both front offices and players are trying to shape the story for 2026 and whatever comes after.

Mets Roster Projections and Familiar Faces

The Mets are right in the thick of offseason speculation. Tim Britton and Will Sammon dropped a detailed projection of how things might look when Opening Day arrives.

Their analysis points to a mix of veterans and young talent, hinting that the Mets want to stay competitive but also build something that lasts.

Why Bo Bichette Fits Under Carlos Mendoza

Bo Bichette’s arrival is one of the bigger talking points—maybe a gutsy move, but not exactly out of left field. Brian Murphy pointed out that manager Carlos Mendoza already knows how to work with Bichette’s style and personality, which should ease any clubhouse jitters.

Bichette is new to the Mets, sure, but his aggressive, disciplined approach lines up with what Mendoza wants to see at the plate.

Mets Prospects Gaining National Attention

The Mets’ future looks bright, if you buy into The Athletic’s Top 100 prospects list. Four Mets prospects made the cut, with two sneaking into the Top 20.

That’s a pretty good sign for a team trying to blend young blood with established stars.

Minor Leaguers on the Rise

Sam Dykstra added to the optimism, calling out more Mets minor leaguers who could break into the Top 100 soon. These guys aren’t household names yet, but their progress suggests the farm system is moving in the right direction.

NL East Moves: Braves and Phillies Adjust

Elsewhere in the NL East, both the Braves and Phillies made moves that could shift the division’s balance—maybe just a little, maybe more.

Braves Shuffle the Bullpen

The Braves grabbed reliever José Suarez off waivers and designated George Soriano for assignment. Atlanta’s clearly not afraid to tinker with the bullpen, hoping to find some late-inning stability.

Phillies Consider Lineup Changes

In Philly, rumors are swirling about a possible lineup shakeup. There’s talk of moving Bryce Harper to a different spot in the order.

That kind of move could help maximize runs and maybe give Harper a bit of protection as the season grinds on.

League-Wide Storylines and Standout Performances

Beyond the team-specific stuff, a few league-wide stories add more texture to the current MLB scene.

Best Games and Rising Players

Manny Randhawa put together his list of the 10 best games of the 2025 MLB season. It’s a reminder that baseball’s always good for some drama and surprise.

Brian Murphy also spotlighted 18 players he thinks are set to rise in 2026, using shifts in Top 100 rankings to highlight who might break out next.

Pitching Outlook and Key Transactions

Pitching is still the name of the game, and a few arms are getting extra attention as teams look ahead.

Giolito Interest and Gallen’s Bounce-Back

Several teams have shown interest in free agent Lucas Giolito, which suggests they still believe he can steady a rotation. Meanwhile, David Adler broke down Zac Gallen’s chances for a bounce-back year, looking at everything from command to his pitch mix.

Notable Signings and Trades

Other noteworthy transactions include:

 
Here is the source article for this story: Mets Morning News: Thawing out until Opening Day