Mets manager Carlos Mendoza embraces high expectations

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – Carlos Mendoza understands the pressure and high expectations of competing in New York. As far as the Mets manager is concerned, high expectations are part of the job in Queens.

After guiding the Mets to the 2024 National League Championship Series, Mendoza perhaps has an even better team with the addition of prized free agent Juan Soto.

“There’s always going to be expectations,” he says. “It’s New York. It’s a big market. Last year people from the outside were talking about how we didn’t have any expectations. But here inside the organization, we (knew we) had a good team.

“I’m glad that we took a step forward last year. Now with the additions of Juan Soto and some other guys, expectations are the same and you just have to go out there and compete.”

Mendoza got his first coaching experience with the Yankees’ minor-league affiliates in 2009. He became the bench coach for the MLB club in 2018. Mendoza had that spot under Yankees manager Aaron Boone through the 2023 season.

Ready for sophomore season

Carlos Mendoza aced his first season in New York with a surprise playoff berth and NLCS appearance. The second test starts Thursday afternoon at Daikin Park against the Houston Astros.

Soto is the main reason for increased optimism for the Mets. His left-handed bat will provide a strong combination of power and balance at the top of the lineup. The four-time All-Star finished third in the AL MVP voting last season.

Soto hit the winning home run against Guardians reliever Hunter Gaddis in the ALCS to ultimately send the Yankees to the World Series last October.

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“It’s good to see a new guy coming into a new team and fitting in right away,” Mendoza said. “And that’s credit to the group that we’ve already had here and what they’ve built.”

Jose Siri will start some games in center field for the Mets. Siri made his MLB debut with the Astros in 2021 and was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in 2022. This will be his first season with the Mets after an offseason trade.

“We’ve seen some flashes of what he can do offensively and defensively. We’ve also seen some of the swings and misses. The one thing I like about him is the way he’s preparing day in and day out,” Mendoza said.

Carlos Mendoza welcomes Clay Holmes

Opening Day starter Clay Holmes is another former Yankee who will be key for the Mets this season. Holmes switched from a reliever to a starter this offseason. He looked good in spring training. Over 19 1/3 innings this spring, Holmes had 23 strikeouts and an ERA of 0.93 in five starts.

He reported to camp early to begin his build-up. It ended on a high note with 88 pitches in 6 1/3 innings without allowing a run. Holmes struck out eight against the Cardinals on March 21.

“The throwing progression was completely different from what he was used to as a reliever and on top of that his repertoire,” Mendoza said of Holmes. “Now as a starter, he’s playing around with the changeup, cutter, and four-seam to be able to go through a lineup two or three times.”