PORT ST. LUCIE — To say that Francisco Alvarez has excessive expectations for the Mets lineup could be an understatement.
Juan Soto is on board, and final week the crew reached settlement with Pete Alonso on a two-year deal to return. Francisco Lindor and Mark Vientos are the returning Mets gamers who had massive seasons offensively.
“I feel we’re the perfect lineup in baseball,” Alvarez mentioned Monday on the report date for pitchers and catchers. “Now we have Petey. Now we have slightly little bit of every thing. Now we have hitting guys. Now we have energy hitters. Now we have every thing. Now we have the perfect lineup in baseball, so we are able to battle with any crew.”
Alvarez needs to be a part of that dialog after an underwhelming season offensively by which he posted a .237/.307/.403 slash line with 11 homers and 47 RBIs in 100 video games.
To that finish, Alvarez employed a swing coach this offseason, following a advice from former teammate J.D. Martinez.
“Final 12 months was my worst 12 months and it was slightly bit robust,” Alvarez mentioned. “However I feel this 12 months goes to be nice. Final 12 months I misplaced my thoughts for slightly bit. I feel that’s regular. All people has to maneuver previous these moments. If I’ve unhealthy moments right here I don’t suppose it’s going to have an effect on me.”
Alvarez missed seven weeks after he underwent surgical procedure final April to restore a torn left thumb ligament.
He mentioned the thumb wasn’t a think about his offensive struggles final season, however he’s trying ahead to seeing how he performs with it absolutely strengthened.
“I really feel method stronger proper now,” Alvarez mentioned. “I really feel method higher. My thumb is method higher, so I feel this 12 months I’ve no excuses for nothing.”
Ryne Stanek mentioned he remained optimistic all through the winter that he would return to the Mets, however his new take care of the membership materialized rapidly.
The veteran reliever agreed to a one-year contract value $4.5 million in late January.
The Mets acquired Stanek final 12 months on the commerce deadline. He was an necessary piece to the crew’s postseason bullpen, pitching to a 3.38 ERA in seven appearances.
“The crew is sweet, however [the Mets] had been actually welcoming for me and my household,” Stanek mentioned. “The baseball is the baseball. That’s the simple half to see. It’s a whole lot of the stuff that goes into the behind the scenes, like the standard of life issues that matter for folks with children. … They took nice care of my household and that meant lots to me.”
Carlos Mendoza will maintain his first session of spring coaching with reporters on Tuesday. The Mets’ first official exercise for pitchers and catchers is scheduled for Wednesday.