When spring training begins again on Friday at Citi Field, Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen hopes that all of the team’s players will be there.
“At this point, we have heard that all of our players are making travel arrangements and we hope to get here this week,” said Van Wagenen on Monday. “We anticipate that everyone will report to camp.”
Not all teams can say the same, including the Mets’ rivals in the National League East, the defending Nationals champions, who have already had a couple of players, Ryan Zimmerman and Joe Ross, decide to stay home for the year. due to COVID-19 concerns. .
Van Wagenen added that he is still not sure if the entire coaching staff will be with the team, but that he would have a better idea this week.
The general manager called the Mets “very lucky” to have had a single player on the 40-player roster positive and the unidentified player is recovering, according to Van Wagenen, adding that he is “optimistic” that the player will be able to participate. at the beginning of the camp.
And after a shutdown that lasted more than three months, Van Wagenen remains optimistic with his team.
The general manager said Monday that the Mets are “designed to win” as they prepare for a shortened 60-game season, if the pandemic allows.
“The fact that we’re going to go in with the same group that we left with, but with some additional pieces, we feel like we have a group that can compete,” Van Wagenen said in a Zoom call. “When I look back at where we were at the end of the season last year, I think we had the best record in the National League in the last 60 games.” So if we can pick up where we left off and go through a 60 game sprint, I think we will be in a position that we will be happy with. ”
When the team begins training on Friday, all eyes will be on Yoenis Céspedes. The slugger last appeared in a game nearly two years ago and has since undergone separate surgeries to remove calcifications from both heels in 2018 and then suffered fractures of his right ankle during an encounter with a boar on his ranch in May 2019.
In March, Cespedes was taking live batting practice, and a source told Mike Puma of The Post that there is “a good chance” that he may be ready for Opening Day next month.
“We will have to assess how the next few days are going, but we are optimistic,” said Van Wagenen about the possibility that Cespedes will be active when the season begins. And he doesn’t want to limit Cespedes to the role of DH and prefers to rotate players in position to keep them cool.
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Cespedes’ health will be just one of the challenges the Mets will have to contend with as they attempt to navigate during a pandemic.
Van Wagenen said the organization had some minor league players test positive for COVID and that the players would be briefed on how to stay safe both at and away from the ballpark.
“We have to be careful,” said Van Wagenen. “Education will be essential for us.”
He noted the leadership of the owners, the main office, the coaches and the players on how to “better manage and better face the challenges we face and what we know is possible to avoid the virus and prevent it from spreading when it inevitably affects people. “
Van Wagenen said the organization “will continue to be strict” regarding security protocols, but will not “create penalties or fines for when they leave the stadium.”
“We trust them,” said Van Wagenen. “They trust us. We trust each other. We feel that we will overcome this in the best possible way. “
And then focus on homework in the field.
“I think it is a match on the track,” the general manager said of the shortened season. “This is like an Olympic event. You have the 100 meters the first 20 days, then the 200 meters the second 20 days and then the 400 meter sprint. We are motivated We are talented Players come with the mentality that there is a sense of urgency that we are not going to give away any games at first. ”
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