PORT STREET SEA — Carlos Mendoza spent the past few months compiling pages of notes on what he wanted to say in his first address to the Mets’ entire team, but when Monday’s showtime came around, he had no cheat sheet. said it was not necessary.
The new coach clearly expressed his goals for this season and focused on building a cohesive group that can expect victory.
“It’s no secret. We’re here to win. That was clear,” Mendoza said. “This is New York, there’s no other way around it. Expectations are always high here. It doesn’t matter what the outside world or the public says. Our job is to prepare and win. That’s part of the message. It was a club.”
That’s the message after a 75-win season in which the Mets traded their top stars to help rebuild their farm system. A lackluster offseason continued.
The Mets’ salary is still expected to exceed $300 million this season, but team officials have taken a conservative route in free agency, adding names such as Luis Severino, Sean Manaea, Harrison Bader and Jake Diekman. .
The latest PECOTA projections have the Mets winning 83.6 this season.
Mendoza was the fifth different manager Brandon Nimmo, the Mets’ longest-tenured player, has heard opening day greetings over the past eight spring trainings. Terry Collins, Mickey Callaway, Luis Rojas, and Buck Showalter took over the managerial position before Mendoza, who was sent off before spring training for his involvement in the Astros’ illegal sign-stealing scheme. Carlos Beltrán, who was forced into action, is not included.
“[Mendoza] He’s a different man. They’re not all the same,” Nimmo said. “But he wants the best for us and we want the best for him. I hope we have good communication, hold each other accountable and have appropriate standards.” I think everything will work out in the end as long as we do that.”
Nimmo said he needs veterans such as himself, Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor and Jeff McNeil to help with leadership.
Mendoza, 44, a former Yankees bench coach, was hired by President of Baseball Operations David Stearns in November. Stearns, who arrived at the end of the regular season, also addressed the players before their first full-team workout on Monday.
Bader, who has known Mendoza since his days with the Yankees, said he was initially struck by the new manager’s level of excitement.
“We’re all so grateful that we’re living our dreams every day, but he’s going to be the coach and he finally got that opportunity,” Bader said. “The positivity around Carlos was unparalleled during the times I experienced wearing a Yankees uniform, even in what would be considered the dark ages. But sometimes that’s what you really need. .”
Bader was asked how Mendoza’s speech against the Mets on Monday was different from what he remembers from the Yankees.
“Unfortunately, there were a few times during my time as a Yankee where we had to have tough conversations and figure out how to move the ship in the right direction, both individually and as a team,” Bader said. Told. . “It was great for me to see that version of him come to life, and then fast forward and the next thing you know he’s a manager in an organization where he has a chance to do some really positive things. There is.”
Mendoza spoke with players and staff for about 20 minutes and said he was encouraged by the feedback he received.
“Some of the players come up to me and say, ‘Hey, that’s real,'” Mendoza said. “They really appreciate that. It’s important for them to know where we stand relative to expectations.”
