Carlos Mendoza held his fifth media availability of training camp today, and if there’s one thing the Mets skipper wants above all else, it’s health. Good health, strong health, the kind of health that keeps the trainers bored and the players on the field where they belong. If you’re detecting a theme here, congratulations, you’ve cracked Mendoza’s code.
Take Starling Marte, for example. The veteran outfielder is facing a shift in his role, something Mendoza has already discussed with him. Marte, now 36, is adjusting to a possible platoon at DH with Jesse Winker, along with coming off the bench in key situations. The key, as Mendoza sees it, is keeping Marte’s body in one piece. “He’s willing to do whatever it takes to help us win baseball games,” Mendoza said. That could mean DH duty, a spot in right field, or even, believe it or not, some reps in center. “He offered to get some reps in center,” Mendoza added, which is like offering to cook Thanksgiving dinner when all you were asked to bring was a pie.
And speaking of physical well-being, Francisco Lindor’s name came up in terms of workload. Lindor, who plays like someone who’s allergic to sitting down, might be convinced to scale back his games from a full 162 to something a little more sustainable. “I don’t want to say much—I haven’t talked to him about it,” Mendoza admitted, which is manager-speak for “I’d like to see you try and take him out of the lineup.” Last year’s back issue might provide an opening for that conversation, but Lindor isn’t the type to voluntarily sit. However, Mendoza knows he’ll need to be strategic about keeping his star shortstop fresh.
Then there’s Kodai Senga, the de facto ace of last year’s staff. But does he want the title? Mendoza downplayed the notion, preferring to focus on Senga’s availability. “We just need him to be healthy,” Mendoza said, sticking to his day’s talking points like a politician on debate night. With a six-man rotation in play, the Mets might be able to give Senga and the rest of the staff some breathing room. Mendoza also made it clear that Senga doesn’t have to shoulder the entire rotation, saying, “We got some options, and we like those guys.”
One of those options is Brett Baty, who will see a lot of action at third base and second base this spring. Mendoza left the door open for Baty to take some grounders at shortstop, but as far as game action goes, third and second will be his focus. First base? Not so much, unless you count some backfield work.
And finally, there’s Jeff McNeil, the human Swiss Army knife. Mendoza knows McNeil can play just about anywhere, but for now, he’ll be sticking primarily to second base. Still, the possibility of an outfield cameo is always there. “You tell him to go play left field, he’s fine. Go to right, he’s fine,” Mendoza said, which is a good thing because injuries and double-switches have a way of making guys move around.
The overall takeaway from Mendoza’s latest media session? The Mets have plans, they have options, and above all else, they have an unshakable commitment to keeping their best players in one piece. If they can pull that off, they might just have something special brewing in Queens this season.
Here is the complete press conference:
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