Mets' new faces at spring training 2026
New York Mets pitcher Freddy Peralta during a spring training workout on Monday. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
The Mets roster overhaul meant there were plenty of new faces at Clover Park when the team arrived at camp this week. Here are some names to know:
Freddy Peralta, SP — Acquired in a trade with Milwaukee, Peralta should be this rotation’s ace. A workhorse in a contract year, the righty has logged over 165 innings in each of the last three seasons; he pitched to a 2.70 ERA last year — a season where he made the All-Star team and came in fifth in Cy Young voting.
Marcus Semien, 2B — Semien came over in the trade that sent Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers. A defensively elite middle infielder, the righthanded-hitting veteran is hoping to return to form at the plate after hitting .230 last year.
Bo Bichette, 3B — Signed to a three-year, $126 million contract, Bichette is expected to move from his natural shortstop position to third base, which he hasn’t played since travel ball. Entering his age 28 season, the two-time All-Star will be a formidable presence in the lineup, with a career .294/.337/.469 slash line.
Carson Benge, OF — The Mets’ No. 2 prospect last year, Benge is in prime position to earn an Opening Day roster spot, and potentially a starting role in rightfield. His strong bat-to-ball skills and plus arm has led to a meteoric rise through the ranks — from beginning the season with High-A Brooklyn last year to his first visit to spring training this year.
Devin Williams, RP — Williams is the presumed closer after a bumpy year with the Yankees. Signed to a three-year, $51 million contract, the two-time All-Star and former Rookie of the Year was once one of the most dominant relief pitchers in baseball, and showed significant improvement in the second half of last season.
Jorge Polanco, DH/1B — One of last year’s playoff heroes for the Mariners, Polanco signed a two-year, $40 million contract to potentially play first base along with Mark Vientos. The career middle infielder has played less than one major-league inning at first, but should provide solid lineup protection for Juan Soto and company.
Luke Weaver, RP — The former Yankees closer signed for two years, $22 million and will likely serve in a setup role behind Williams. After a breakout year in 2024, the righty regressed last season, pitching to a 3.62 ERA.
Tobias Myers, P — The second part of the trade that brought Peralta to Flushing, Myers, 27, had a promising rookie year in 2024, pitching to 3.00 ERA over 27 games (25 starts). He primarily worked out of the bullpen last year, with a 3.55 ERA over 22 appearances (50 2⁄3 innings), and can both start and pitch in long relief.
Luis Garcia, RP — Signed to a one-year, $1.75 million contract, the 13-year journeyman is one of the many options the Mets are considering for their middle relief corps.
Craig Kimbrel, RP — A non-roster invitee on a minor-league contract, the nine-time All-Star will look to see if he has anything left in the tank entering his age 38 season. Four years removed from his tenure as one of the most dominant closers in baseball, he could serve a middle relief role.
Ryan Clifford, 1B — The Mets’ No. 6 prospect last year, Clifford could see some major-league action down the line, especially if the first base platoon experiment doesn’t go as planned. Considered a ‘three true outcomes player’ — home run, walk or strikeout — the Mets hope to hone him into a more disciplined hitter, and one less susceptible to off-speed pitches. He’ll begin the season in Triple-A.
Luis Robert Jr., OF — Acquired from the White Sox, Robert is a defensively elite outfielder who stands to slot in in center. After two subpar offensive seasons, the Mets hope he can regain his 2023 form — a year where he slashed .264/.315/.542.
Vidal Brujan, UTIL — Acquired from the Twins for cash considerations, Brujan has played every position on the field in portions of five big-league seasons.
MJ Melendez, UTIL — The Mets reportedly signed Melendez to a one-year, $1.5 million deal with up to $500,000 in incentives in an attempt to bolster their bench. The lefty hitter, who came to the big leagues as a catcher, spent four seasons with the Royals, primarily in the outfield.
Laura Albanese is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. She's been covering MLB since 2014 after starting at Newsday as an intern seven years earlier.
