PORT ST. LUCIE — Technically, Juan Soto has already worn a Mets uniform and there are images to show it. However come Saturday afternoon, he’ll put on blue and orange for the primary time in entrance of followers when the Mets open their spring slate in opposition to the Houston Astros at Clover Park.
Spring coaching video games are largely forgettable, however the sight of Soto won’t be for Mets followers who’ve been ready for gamers of his caliber to come back to Flushing. It’s extra significant that he wished to come back to the Mets. They didn’t need to commerce for him, which was their finest change to seize costly, however elite free brokers. Soto signed a 15-year, $765 million contract, selecting to make Flushing his baseball house for the subsequent decade and a half (if he doesn’t decide out).
“After all these three years of changing teams, being here and there, it’s a different vibe,” Soto mentioned. “It’s unbelievable. I’m still learning. This is actually where I’m going to be for the next 15 years.”
The outfielder, among the best hitters within the sport, isn’t the most important or loudest particular person within the clubhouse, however the Mets would like that he keep true to himself fairly than being daring for the sake of the contract.
He’s been seen usually with Starling Marte, one other native of the Dominican Republic, and a veteran outfielder that supervisor Carlos Mendoza mentioned he admired when he was youthful. Francisco Lindor has additionally been a relentless presence with Soto throughout exercises and Jose Siri as nicely. Siri mentioned he appreciates the quantity of Latin gamers within the clubhouse, saying it helps him really feel comfy expressing himself as somebody who remains to be engaged on enhancing his English.
“I just like how he’s fitting in with the guys,” mentioned Mendoza. “You can see the smile on his face. It feels like he’s getting comfortable as we progress in camp. Talking to him after Day 1, it’s not easy making that transition again. But I like the fact that he’s having fun.”
Soto in a Mets jersey is perhaps a brand new sight Saturday, however it’ll quickly be an unforgettable one.
QUICK HITTERS
– The Mets are breaking bread with each other — actually. Ryne Stanek introduced loaves of bread baked by his spouse Jessica on Friday, leaving them within the lockers of a few of his teammates. He offered Pete Alonso with a loaf, with the primary baseman seeming touched by the gesture. Jessica Stanek, who competed on “Survivor” in 2018, has recipes on her Instagram web page and recurrently makes sourdough loaves.
– With Soto stunning Brett Baty with a brand new Chevy Tahoe in alternate for his uniform quantity Thursday, Baty had to determine what to do along with his previous automobile after driving it to the Clover Park complicated. He left it within the gamers car parking zone Thursday evening and bought an help from Triple-A teammate Luke Ritter on Friday. Ritter drove the 4Runner whereas Baty took the Tahoe.
“Good for them,” he mentioned. “It goes to show you that they’re willing to make adjustments.”
