Game 1: Mets vs. Pirates Starting Lineup and Pitching Match-Up

 Mets Starting Lineup:

1. Francisco Lindor-SS

2. Juan Soto-LF

3. Bo Bichette-3B

4. Jorge Polanco-1B

5. Luis Robert Jr-CF

6. Brett Baty-DH

7. Marcus Semian-2B

8. Carson Benge-CF

9. Francisco Alvarez-C

The pitching match-up is RHP Freddy Peralta vs. RHP Paul Skenes 

Mets Finalize 2026 Opening Day Roster

 The New York Mets have finalized their 2026 Opening Day Roster:

Catchers:

1. Francisco Alvarez

2. Luis Torrens

Infielders:

1. Jorge Polanco

2. Marcus Semien

3. Francisco Lindor

4. Bo Bichette

5. Brett Baty

6. Mark Vientos

Outfielders:

1.  Juan Soto

2. Luis Robert Jr.

3. Carson Benge

4. Tyrone Taylor

5. Jared Young

Starting Pitching:

1. Freddy Peralta

2. Nolan McLean

3. Kodai Senga

4. Clay Holmes

5. David Peterson 

6. Sean Manaea

Bullpen:

1. Devin Williams

2. Luke Weaver

3. Tobias Myers

4. Huascar Brazoban

5. Luis Garcia

6. Brooks Raley

7. Richard Lovelady

Mets Acquire Brewers Starting Pitcher Freddy Peralta and RHP Tobias Myers

 

Brewers (Photo Credits to Vincent Carchietta-USA Today Sports)

The New York Mets acquired RHP Freddy Peralta and RHP Tobias Myers for prospects Brandon Sproat and Jett Williams.

Peralta is coming off an All-Star season in 2025 with a 2.70 ERA in 33 starts and led the National League in wins with 17.

He was also named to the NL All-Star team in 2021. 

Peralta has a lifetime record of 70-42 with a 3.59 ERA. He is in the last year of his contract before he becomes a free agent.

His repertoire includes a fastball in the mid 90's, change-up, curveball and one of the game's best sliders.

Myers is a starter and reliever "swingman" He has 31 career starts and 18 relief appearances and a career ERA of 3.15. Myers has five years of team control and will serve out of both the bullpen and rotation.

With the acquisition of Peralta, the Mets now have a legitimate ace at the top of the starting rotation that they have desperately needed along with Nolan McLean. 

Their rotation now features more depth with Peralta and McLean as well as LHP Sean Manaea, RHP Kodai Senga, LHP David Peterson, RHP Clay Holmes as well as prospects RHP Jonah Tong and RHP Christian Scott.

Mets Acquire White Sox Centerfielder Luis Robert Jr

 

Mets CF Luis Robert Jr (Photo Credits to Colin Hubbard-AP)

The New York Mets acquired Chicago White Sox CF Luis Robert Jr for infielder Luisangel Acuna and pitching prospect Truman Pauley.

He is owed $20 million for this season and has a $20 million club option for next year.

Robert Jr had a hamstring injury this past season, but finished up strong in the second half with six homers, 11 SB, 21 RBI and a .840 OPS over the final two months.

Two years ago, he had an outstanding season with 38 homers and a .857 OPS and finished 12th in AL MVP voting.

Robert Jr has shown flashes in his careers and that when he stays healthy, he is an excellent fielder who can steal bases and hit for power.

Hopefully he will benefit from a change of scenery and have the kind of production this year that he had in 2024 and hold down centerfield while outfield prospects Carson Benge and Jett Williams await their turn to be called up to the major leagues.

Mets Sign Infielder Bo Bichette To Three-Year Deal

 

Blue Jays Infielder Bo Bichette (Photo Credits to Roberto Carlo)

The New York Mets signed infielder Bo Bichette to a three-year, $126 million today. The deal is pending a physical and will have two opt-outs. 

Bichette has a lifetime batting average of .294 in his seven years with the Toronto Blue Jays along with 190 doubles, eight triples, 111 home runs, 437 RBIs and 438 runs scored and 21 stolen bases.

He is a two-time  All-Star and has lead the American League in hits twice.

Last year, he hit .311 second in the American League with 181 hits, which was also second in the American League. Bichette had 521 at-bats, was ranked 13th in slugging percentage with .483, 12th in RBI with 94, second in the league with doubles with 44, and tenth in on-base percentage with .357.

Bichette is the third infielder that the Mets have picked up this offseason along with Marcus Semian who was traded for Brandon Nimmo and Jorge Polanco to a two-year $40 million deal.

Bichette brings professionalism and has proven to be a clutch hitter who gets on base.

Mets Sign Reliever Luke Weaver

 

Yankees RHP Luke Weaver (Photo Credits to Jason Szenes-NY Post)

The New York Mets signed RHP Luke Weaver to a two-year $22 million contract. Weaver is coming off another solid year with the Yankees in the bullpen and had a 3.62 ERA, eight saves, 1.02 WHIP and 72 strikeouts in 64 1/3 innings. 

In 2024, Weaver was moved to the bullpen with the Yankees and thrived with a 2.89 ERA and 102 strikeouts in 84 innings allowing 52 hits and 28 walks.

Prior to the Yankees, Weaver struggled as a starter with the Reds and Mariners in 2023 before the Yankees claimed him off waivers.

With the signing of Weaver, the Mets bullpen has gotten that much stronger after the signing of RHP Devin Williams and Brooks Raley and AJ Minter from the left side along with veteran reliever RHP Huascar Brazoban.

Mets Sign Jorge Polanco To Two-Year Deal

 

Mariners infielder Jorge Polanco (Photo Credits to MetsMerizedOnline.com)

The New York Mets signed Jorge Polanco to a two-year, $40 million contract today. Polanco, a switch hitter hit .265 with 26 homers and 78 RBIs in 138 games and split time as DH and second base as well as spending time at third base and first base.

He will play first base and also serve as a designated hitter for the Mets. Polanco has averaged 28.7 homers and 88.9 RBIs over 162 games in the last three seasons. 

He brings versatility and power and hits well against left handed pitching hitting .305 last year.