Port St. Lucy – It's modest to say Francisco Alvarez has high expectations for the Mets lineup.
Juan Soto is on board and last week the team agreed with Pete Alonso on a two-year contract. Francisco Lindor and Mark Bientos are Mets players who have had a big offensive season.
“I think we're the best lineup in baseball,” Alvarez said Monday about the reporting dates for pitchers and catchers. “We have pets. We have a bit of everything. We are attacking people. We have power hitters. We have everything. We have the best lineup in baseball. There are so any team can compete.”
Alvarez wants to be part of that conversation after an overwhelming season in which he posted offensively the .237/.307/.403 slashline with 11 homers and 47 RBIs in 100 games.
To that end, Alvarez hired a swing coach this offseason, following a recommendation from former teammate JD Martinez.
“Last year was my worst year and it was a bit tough,” Alvarez said. “But I think this year is great. Last year I lost a bit of a heart. I think it's normal. Everyone has to move past those moments. Here's a bad moment. If there is, I don't think it will affect me.”
Alvarez missed it seven weeks after undergoing surgery last April and undergoing surgery to repair his torn left thumb ligament.
He said the thumb wasn't a factor in last season's offensive struggle, but he looks forward to seeing how he can fully strengthen it.
“I feel much stronger now,” Alvarez said. “I feel better. My thumb is much better so I don't think I'll make any excuses this year.”
Ryne Stanek remained optimistic about returning to the Mets over the winter, but his new contract with the club soon came to fruition.
The veteran reliever agreed to a one-year contract worth $4.5 million in late January.
The Mets acquired Stanek last year at a trade deadline. He was a key piece for the team's postseason bullpen, pitching to 3.38 ERA in seven appearances.
“The team is good [the Mets] They were really welcoming me and my family,” Staneck said. “Baseball is baseball. It's the easy part to watch. It's a lot of things that go behind the scenes, like a quality of life that is important for people with children. … They took care of my family. , and that meant a lot to me.”
Carlos Mendoza will be holding his first spring training session with reporters on Tuesday. The Mets' first official training for pitchers and catchers is scheduled for Wednesday.
