Port St. Lucy – Juan Soto's one-season stop with the Yankees served as the perfect primer for All-Star outfielders as they began the first of their potential 15 spring training with the Mets It might be.
Soto joined the conditioning drill on Sunday in his first training with his new team, fans stood behind the chain link fence and called out his name.
Later, a massive media followed Soto and then Clover Park main field, where he practiced batting.
For players new to scenes, it may have seemed like a circus.
Soto was already used to it – he helped the Yankees reach the World Series last year – took the event boldly.
“[New York] It's a different vibe,” Soto said. “You have a lot of eyes. You're part of the city, so you have so many teams that you want to come and beat you. Broadway and everything, everyone comes and New York I want to beat the team of.
Soto's goal is to help the Mets end the World Series title drought, dating back to 1986.
Soto said that one player alone doesn't guarantee a championship, but he sees the Mets as a strong position following the surge in teams to the NLCS last year.
“The whole team needs to go all the way,” Soto said. “You're looking around the teams that win the World Series. It's a team that has really good players, teams with experience, teams with youths. So I think it takes multiple guys for that and you're the Mets And when you see the roster and what they have in the farm system, I think they have the opportunity to be there for a long time. I think there's really a chance to go all the way.”
Soto has arrived on a record 15-year contract worth $765 million, including opt-out after the fifth season (if the Mets agree to add $4 million each year to the remaining guarantees, this is ) He said he went, knowing his new teammates and was pleased with the number of Latin players in camp and the support they had.
“I really liked it,” Soto said. “And when I went out here, I said, 'We actually have a really good Latin community here and it's exciting.' Many people who know where we came from. But we know what we have to go through. It's really cool to see that. For us it was a truly warm welcome and I'm happy to be here. ”
The 26-year-old Soto finished third in the American League MVP poll after last season, creating a .288/.419/.569 slash line with 41 Homer and 109 RBI.
There is little room for aggressive improvement, but Soto cited his defense and foundations as an area he wants to strengthen.
“The running part is definitely huge for me. I have to get better,” Soto said. “I improve my defense and I get better every year. I was very close to Gold Gloves so I try to get better every year.
“[The Gold Glove] It's a big focus for me. I want to be part of that group. I've been really close for the last few years, but I think there's a reasonable opportunity. ”
It makes sense for Soto to hit second in the lineup (Pete Alonso hit him behind), but manager Carlos Mendoza said it was too early to say.
Last season, Soto was hit before Judge Aaron.
“We have to go through spring training healthy before we can begin any actual conversation,” Mendoza said. “I just wanted to get his take [Sunday] And he said he was willing to do anything. We'll see what it looks like, [batting second] It's a good option. ”
Soto said Alonso, who did not re-sign the club until two weeks ago, was discussed during Mets' recruitment pitch for Soto in November and December.
“We were trying to ensure Pete's cover. He's one of the best pure power hitters in the league,” Soto said. “We have some of that protection… he's a big piece for the team.”
