PORT ST. LUCIE — Technically, Juan Soto has already worn a Mets uniform and there are photos to prove it. But come Saturday afternoon, he’ll wear blue and orange for the first time in front of fans when the Mets open their spring slate against the Houston Astros at Clover Park.
Spring training games are mostly forgettable, but the sight of Soto might not be for Mets fans who have been waiting for players of his caliber to come to Flushing. It’s more meaningful that he wanted to come to the Mets. They didn’t have to trade for him, which used to be their best change to grab expensive, but elite free agents. Soto signed a 15-year, $765 million contract, choosing to make Flushing his baseball home for the next decade and a half (if he doesn’t opt out).
“After all these three years of changing teams, being here and there, it’s a different vibe,” Soto said. “It’s unbelievable. I’m still learning. This is actually where I’m going to be for the next 15 years.”
The outfielder, one of the best hitters in the game, isn’t the biggest or loudest person in the clubhouse, but the Mets would prefer that he stay true to himself rather than being bold for the sake of the contract.
He’s been seen often with Starling Marte, another native of the Dominican Republic, and a veteran outfielder that manager Carlos Mendoza said he admired when he was younger. Francisco Lindor has also been a constant presence with Soto during workouts and Jose Siri as well. Siri said he appreciates the amount of Latin players in the clubhouse, saying it helps him feel comfortable expressing himself as someone who is still working on improving his English.
“I just like how he’s fitting in with the guys,” said 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 might be a new sight Saturday, but it will soon be an unforgettable one.
QUICK HITTERS
– The Mets are breaking bread with one another — literally. Ryne Stanek brought loaves of bread baked by his wife Jessica on Friday, leaving them in the lockers of some of his teammates. He presented Pete Alonso with a loaf, with the first baseman seeming touched by the gesture. Jessica Stanek, who competed on “Survivor” in 2018, has recipes on her Instagram page and regularly makes sourdough loaves.
– With Soto surprising Brett Baty with a new Chevy Tahoe in exchange for his uniform number Thursday, Baty had to figure out what to do with his old car after driving it to the Clover Park complex. He left it in the players parking lot Thursday night and got an assist from Triple-A teammate Luke Ritter on Friday. Ritter drove the 4Runner while Baty took the Tahoe.
– The Yankees changed their longstanding policy on facial hair, with their Friday morning announcement catching much of the baseball world by surprise. Right-hander Clay Holmes, who is now sporting a beard himself, said he’s curious to see which of his former teammates grows one, while Mendoza, a former Yankees bench coach, took the news in stride.
“Good for them,” he said. “It goes to show you that they’re willing to make adjustments.”
