Welcome to the last Sunday without baseball games for the next 8 months!
Are you excited?
Brodie Van Wagenen, Mickey Callaway ,and the players themselves have been answering questions since they’ve arrived in Port St. Lucie. Let’s see what they have to say.
PETER ALONSO
Mickey Callaway on possibility of holding Peter Alonso in minors (for service time manipulation): “Brodie has made it clear that he’s a players’ guy. And if he deserves it, he’s going to be on the team.”
Mickey Callaway called Peter Alonso “probably the most improved defensive guy” Mets coaches have seen “in a long time.”
“I’m just going to come in here and show what I’m capable of. I believe in myself. You can’t really expect others to believe in you. You have to [earn it]. That’s my goal, to come in here and show what I’m capable of.”
TJ RIVERA
“I tried. I tried a little too hard, I think, and maybe rushed my body a little bit,” Rivera said. “It just wasn’t ready. I’m just glad to be ready now and start this spring fresh.”
Mickey Callaway said that Rivera will get reps at first base in addition to second and third.
ROBINSON CANÓ
Robinson Canó says, “I feel like I’m 25,” adds with a laugh that he always feels like that.
Canó says the Mets haven’t even brought up to him the idea of playing first base this season. He’s strictly a second baseman for now, and he’s hopeful he can stay healthy enough to start there nearly every day.
“I grew up in the Yankees system. They teach you how to be a champion from the minor leagues…I wasn’t able to make it [to the playoffs] in Seattle…Coming back here, I’m looking forward to being back in the playoffs.”
Canó’s advice to Edwin Diaz on how Seattle was different from New York: “You don’t get to deal with a lot of media, you don’t get to deal with all those fans that are going to go out and call the radio station and criticize you if you don’t do good.”
JACOB DEGROM
No word as of now on a possible long term deal.
Mickey Callaway says that deGrom will be the Opening Day starter, for the first time in his career.