The Mets have not yet picked up Luis Rojas’ option for 2022, team president Sandy Alderson said Monday, putting New York’s manager in a potential contract year.
“His option has not been picked up at this time,” Alderson said.
Rojas, 39, has a club option for 2023 as well.
The Mets posted a 26-34 record last year in MLB’s shortened 60-game season, Rojas’ first as manager, but new owner Steve Cohen and company have higher expectations entering 2021.
“Well, I’m not going to predict a World Series out of the gate — what I do think is we’re going to be really competitive and I do believe we’re going to make the playoffs,” Cohen said Monday. “And once you get into the playoffs, anything can happen, right? So I’m pretty optimistic and the team looks good to me, and I think the fans are really going to enjoy this team.”
Rojas is also aiming high as New York (0-0) opens with Monday’s 7:05 p.m. game at the Philadelphia Phillies (3-0) on SNY.
“We’re going to be a contender,” Rojas said Feb. 17 on Mets Hot Stove with SNY’s Steve Gelbs. “It’s a tough division, Steve. We’re going to have some tough competition. I know that. The guys know that. We can’t just say that we’re good when we feel pretty good with the roster that we have and the ability of the players that we have. We’ve got to go and do it. So our expectations are high. We feel like we’re going to be a contender, but we’ve got to go and perform and it starts right now in the spring.”
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].