Francisco Álvarez, nicknamed “the Troll,” did just that to the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers when he spoke to reporters earlier this week, bluntly proclaiming that the New York Mets boast the superior lineup.
“I think we are better than the Dodgers,” he said. “We can fight with any team.”
The hot take from the 23-year-old was made as the Mets begin spring training in Port St. Lucie, Florida, and after the team revealed its 2025 training roster on Monday.
[Related: 2025 MLB free-agent signing tracker, trades: Red Sox land Alex Bregman on 3-year deal]
However, recent history favors the superteam Dodgers’ roster after they ended the Mets’ season in six games in the 2024 National League Championship Series. New York made a surprise run last October after finishing third in the NL East in 2024 with a record of 89-73.
The reigning champion Dodgers spent the offseason deepening their rotation, adding the likes of two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell and Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki to a group that already included Shohei Ohtani, Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. That’s in addition to maintaining what is widely considered the best lineup in baseball, which still includes Teoscar Hernandez hitting behind Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.
The Mets, of course, weren’t quiet this offseason, signing Juan Soto to a record-setting 15-year, $765 million deal and re-signing Pete Alonso to hit alongside Francisco Lindor and Mark Vientos.
Álvarez and the Mets will have their first opportunity to put his words into action when they face the Dodgers in a three-game series at Citi Field from May 23-25.
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