New-look Astros open season vs. Juan Soto, Mets

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The Houston Astros will open the 2025 season by hosting the New York Mets on Thursday while seeking two objectives: to pursue a ninth consecutive playoff appearance and to close the book on a tumultuous offseason that included the departure of two franchise stalwarts.

With third baseman Alex Bregman securing a Gold Glove and right fielder Kyle Tucker earning his third consecutive All-Star nod, the Astros finished atop the American League West for the seventh time over the last eight seasons. But with Bregman in Boston and Tucker with the Chicago Cubs following a seismic mid-December trade, Houston hit a reset button that reshapes its roster more than rebuilds it.

Of course, the Mets made their own changes, most prominently winning the Juan Soto sweepstakes.

As for Houston, Isaac Paredes, acquired alongside pitcher Hayden Wesneski and promising prospect Cam Smith in exchange for Tucker, will replace Bregman in the field. Wesneski offers depth for a rotation in need of viable options. Smith dazzled during spring training and earned a spot on the Opening Day roster.

Include free-agent first baseman Christian Walker, and the Astros appear to have enough talent to extend their postseason streak. There are some new faces in the clubhouse, but the Astros are secure in what they have to offer.

"I thought some guys really showcased themselves really well," Astros manager Joe Espada said. "A lot of tough decisions that we've made already, and we have some tough decisions ahead of us.

"I thought the energy, the execution (and) the bond as a group was phenomenal. I'm looking forward for our season."

Left-hander Framber Valdez (15-7, 2.91 ERA in 2024) will make his fourth career Opening Day start for the Astros. A two-time All-Star, Valdez and the Astros avoided arbitration this past offseason by agreeing to an $18 million salary for the 2025 season. Valdez made five starts during spring training and finished 2-0 with a 3.45 ERA and 16 strikeouts over 15 2/3 innings.

Right-hander Clay Holmes (3-5, 3.14 ERA with 30 saves in 2024) will make his first Opening Day start and just his fifth career start overall for the Mets. Holmes signed a three-year, $38 million free-agent deal with the Mets on Dec. 9, 2024, after recording 74 saves as the primary closer for the New York Yankees over the previous three seasons. He went 1-2 with a 7.80 ERA in four starts with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2018 and has pitched exclusively out of the bullpen since.

Holmes finished 1-1 with a 0.93 ERA in five starts in spring training, recording 23 strikeouts over 19 1/3 innings.

While Holmes' addition via free agency bolstered the rotation, the Mets made far greater noise by signing right fielder Soto to the largest contract in baseball history: 15 years for $765 million. Soto is a transcendent player and further enhances a roster that lifted the Mets to the National League Championship Series last season.

Adding Soto to a lineup that already features shortstop Francisco Lindor, first baseman Pete Alonso, third baseman Mark Vientos and catcher Francisco Alvarez (currently out with a fractured left hand) undoubtedly positions the Mets among the contenders in the NL this season. Blending Soto into the mix, both on the field and in the clubhouse, is the foremost goal as the Mets open a season bloated with expectations.

"We've got a lot of talent," Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. "(But) the interactions, the connections, how guys are jelling in that clubhouse is what excites me the most. We know we have a good team, we know we've got work to do."

"We've got to go out there and play the games and do it on the field, but I'm excited about how the guys are connected, especially with the new guys that we brought in this year."

--Field Level Media