Francisco Álvarez boldly stated that the New York Mets have a lineup superior to that of the reigning World Series champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers. This assertion came during a recent press conference where he expressed confidence in his team’s capabilities.
“I think we are better than the Dodgers,” he declared. “We can fight with any team.”
This bold proclamation from the 23-year-old catcher coincided with the Mets kicking off their spring training in Port St. Lucie, Florida, shortly after announcing their 2025 training roster.
[Related: 2025 MLB free-agent signing tracker, trades: Red Sox land Alex Bregman on 3-year deal]
Despite Álvarez’s confidence, recent events suggest the Dodgers have the upper hand. They eliminated the Mets in six games during the 2024 National League Championship Series. The Mets made an unexpected playoff run last October after finishing third in the NL East with a respectable 89-73 record.
The Dodgers, known for their star-studded roster, have bolstered their pitching staff by adding two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell and rising star Roki Sasaki. This enhancement complements an already impressive lineup featuring Shohei Ohtani, Tyler Glasnow, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, alongside hitters like Teoscar Hernandez, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman.
On the other hand, the Mets have made headlines this offseason by signing Juan Soto to a groundbreaking 15-year, $765 million contract and bringing back Pete Alonso to join forces with Francisco Lindor and Mark Vientos.
Álvarez and his teammates will have a chance to back up his claims when they face the Dodgers in a highly anticipated three-game series at Citi Field from May 23-25.
