Mets' opening day roster prediction: Here are favorites one week into spring training games

It’s been a week since the Mets played their Grapefruit League opener.

With 24 days left until their first game of the season against the Astros in Houston, what better time than now to provide a (way-too-early) prediction of what the Mets' opening day 26-man roster will look like on March 27?

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With nine spring training games already in the books, the Mets have already shown what they could be in the regular season. While their spring record (4-5) doesn’t reflect it, there’s been plenty of good news.

Their biggest offseason addition, right fielder Juan Soto, has already shown he’ll have a huge impact, going 3-for-8 with two home runs and four RBIs. Center fielder Jose Siri is showing improvement with the bat, recording three hits — all home runs — in 10 at-bats with a team-leading seven RBIs. And infielder Brett Baty has also impressed, going 7-for-16 with three extra-base hits (two home runs).

Not everything has been positive, however. Their pitching depth is already being tested with right-hander Frankie Montas and left-hander Sean Manaea suffering injuries that will sideline them for a while. The Mets have also lost infielder Nick Madrigal for the season on an unfortunate shoulder injury he suffered during his first game at shortstop on the second day of the Grapefruit League season.

Taking all of this into account, here’s what the Mets' 26-man roster would look like if opening day were today.

Lineup

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza has indicated that the team values a balanced lineup. The following lineup reflects how New York could alternate between righties and lefties.

1. Francisco Lindor (S), SS
2. Juan Soto, RF
3. Pete Alonso, 1B
4. Brandon Nimmo (L), LF
5. Mark Vientos, 3B
6. Jeff McNeil (L), 2B
7. Jose Siri, CF
8. Jesse Winker (L), DH
9. Francisco Alvarez, C

Bench

Madrigal’s injury could present Baty with another opportunity to earn a roster spot on opening day. He will have to prove that he can play shortstop to increase his chances.

Baty has not taken reps at short yet. While he practices there during batting practice, he has not participated in shortstop drills there yet, but he will.

Mendoza has set a timeline of around halfway through Grapefruit League games for Baty to start seeing real-time reps at the position. If he can show that he can field the position competently, he could serve as an infield utility who can also play a corner outfield position.

• Starling Marte, OF
• Tyrone Taylor, OF
• Brett Baty, 2B/3B
• Luis Torrens, C

Rotation

The Mets' rotation has been dealt two blows already in spring training. With Montas and Manaea out, Paul Blackburn, Griffin Canning and Tylor Megill go from competing for the fifth and sixth rotation spots to owning spots 4-6 — for now.

Manaea (oblique) isn’t expected to miss significant time. Realistically, he could return to the rotation by mid-to-late April.

Montas (lat) will be out until late May or early June. This means Manaea’s brief absence will serve as an extended audition for Blackburn, Canning and Megill to earn a more permanent spot in the rotation.

1. Kodai Senga
2. David Peterson (LHP)
3. Clay Holmes
4. Paul Blackburn (LHP
5. Griffin Canning
6. Tylor Megill

Bullpen

The team’s biggest strength is its bullpen, and it’s getting stronger. A.J. Minter (hip) has already begun throwing live batting practice, a pivotal step in his recovery.

The next step is playing games, which can happen soon. His goal has been to be ready for opening day, and, as of this moment, that seems realistic.

Otherwise, three pitchers are competing for the final spot in the bullpen — Danny Young, Huascar Brazobán and Sean Reid-Foley.

Brazobán has options remaining, making him easy to flex between the minors and the big leagues. Young and Reid-Foley don’t, meaning if they don’t make the 26-man roster, they’ll be designated for assignment.

Young has the advantage of featuring a unique side-armed delivery and being left-handed. He also showed last season that he can be a viable option out of the pen. He just has to work on his consistency.

• Edwin Díaz
• A.J. Minter (LHP)
• José Buttó
• Ryne Stanek
• Reed Garrett
• Dedniel Núñez
• Danny Young (LHP)

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Manny Gómez may be reached at mgomez@njadvancemedia.com.