Final decisions on the New York Mets’ Opening Day roster are still being discussed, but barring injuries, we have a clear sense of which players will make the team and which will not. While spring training isn’t the sole determining factor for who secures a spot on the 26-man roster, it often serves as the deciding factor for players on the bubble.
Heading into spring training, the Mets had several position battles. Many of these have shifted due to player availability and individual performances. With Opening Day now less than two weeks away, it’s evident that two players have earned their spots, while two others have likely played themselves out of contention.
Brett Baty has secured his spot on the Opening Day roster
There was a possibility that Brett Baty would once again be sent down to Syracuse, where he would gain little and potentially lose any remaining confidence. At least he would have a new car.
“Maybe it’s being buddies with Mark Vientos. Perhaps it’s inferior pitching in spring training. Could it be that Baty has simply woken up?”
Baty has had success in previous spring trainings, but this year, the pressure was higher than ever. With the final bench spot up for grabs, he emerged as the clear winner over Luisangel Acuña. Due to Jeff McNeil’s injury, Baty might not just be a bench player—he could even find himself starting at second base on Opening Day, an outcome that seemed unlikely just months ago.
Over 13 spring training games, Baty has recorded 12 hits in 32 at-bats, including five extra-base hits—three doubles and two home runs. While we’ve seen flashes of this before, it’s promising to see him meet the challenge head-on. He has earned his roster spot.
Max Kranick has earned his place on the Opening Day roster
“Who?” If you’re still asking that, you haven’t been paying attention. Max Kranick, a waiver claim last offseason, spent time with the Mets in 2024, including an early DFA from the 40-man roster and a shift from starter to reliever in the minors. That move seems to have paid off. While he’s now viewed as a multi-inning reliever, he could still step in as an opener if needed.
Kranick appears to be the best fit for the long relief role, a job initially expected to go to the loser of the Paul Blackburn vs. Griffin Canning roster battle. While he may start in mop-up duty with occasional chances in competitive games, there’s reason to believe he could put together a solid season.
His biggest advantage is that he still has minor league options, allowing the Mets to use him as needed without committing to him full-time on the 26-man roster. While it may be difficult for him to stick around all season, starting with a spot out of spring training makes sense.
So far, Kranick has pitched 9.1 innings with only two earned runs, one walk, and 12 strikeouts, resulting in a 1.93 ERA—numbers that indicate real success rather than luck. Even after allowing his first earned run against the Nationals, striking out two and throwing 12 of 17 pitches for strikes was still a positive takeaway.
Genesis Cabrera has likely missed out on an Opening Day roster spot
For relievers, spring training stats can be misleading due to small sample sizes. That’s why one bad outing from Genesis Cabrera didn’t immediately seal his fate. Signed to a minor league deal with a camp invite, Cabrera was always seen as a potential depth piece rather than a guaranteed Opening Day player.
The fact that he signed so early in the offseason suggests he was eager for an opportunity to work his way back to the majors. While he might have an opt-out clause before Opening Day, the hope is that he’s willing to stay and contribute later in the season.
Once considered a strong candidate to beat out Danny Young for a roster spot, Cabrera’s chances have diminished. His 8.31 ERA is hard to overlook, even if it comes from a limited number of appearances. While he could still be useful for the Mets down the road, one rough outing may have significantly hurt his chances of making the initial roster.
Alexander Canario hasn’t done enough to make the Opening Day roster
The Mets acquired Alexander Canario from the Cubs as potential insurance in case Starling Marte wasn’t ready for the season. However, Marte appears on track to be available, as does Brandon Nimmo, who may only need occasional DH duties. With those two healthy, Canario hasn’t capitalized on his opportunities.
His spring training performance—just three hits in 22 at-bats with 10 strikeouts—has been underwhelming. After driving in a run in his Mets debut on March 1, he has struggled to contribute offensively. As the Mets have started playing their regulars more, Canario’s opportunities have dwindled, suggesting a decision has already been made.
Given his age, another team could claim or trade for Canario, as young players often carry more appeal than veterans. However, any interested team would have to ask the same question the Mets are facing: Is he worth a roster spot? The Mets could also choose to release him if they don’t see potential in him.
While the Mets’ Opening Day roster might still hold some surprises, the final bullpen spots and even one position player spot remain up for debate. Canario was already facing tough competition in an outfield-heavy roster, and his only real path to making the team would have been a significant injury to someone ahead of him.
