Carlos Mendoza hasn’t been on the job long in Queens, but the new Mets manager said he’s spoken with about half of the players on the 26-man roster, with plans to visit with many more before spring training begins in February in Port St. Lucie.
One of the players Mendoza already has spoken with is Pete Alonso, who is heading into his final year before free agency if the first baseman and the Mets don’t find a way to agree on an extension.
Mendoza said Tuesday at his introductory press conference at Citi Field that he came away impressed with Alonso, calling him “very smart” and not bothered by the possibility of a distraction created by Alonso’s potential imminent free agency.
“I had that experience with Aaron [Judge] across town when he went through his free agency year and he did what he did,’’ Mendoza said of Judge’s historic 2022 season that followed his rejection of the Yankees’ seven-year, $213 million extension offer prior to Opening Day.
“I think I’m gonna be able to use some of my experience to advise [Alonso],’’ Mendoza said.
Mendoza had a front-row seat to Judge’s 62-homer season that helped him earn a new nine-year, $360 million from the Yankees last offseason.
Alonso won’t approach that number, and as his new agent, Scott Boras, said at last week’s GM meetings, he would listen to an extension offer.
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns declined to discuss free-agent plans on Tuesday.
“I’m not gonna get into that,’’ Stearns said when asked about whether he had any signings in mind. “Obviously, the offseason is up and running, so we’ll see where that takes us.”
Stearns added he didn’t think potential free agents would be turned off by the Mets hitting the reset button and hiring a new manager and perhaps cutting back — at least for Steve Cohen — on payroll.
“I don’t think so,’’ Stearns said.
The only member of last year’s coaching staff guaranteed to return in 2024 is pitching coach Jeremy Hefner.
Mendoza said he’s never met Hefner, but they have spoken since Mendoza got the job.
“He’s a pretty smart guy, prepared,” Mendoza said. “He knows his area of expertise.”
Mendoza added he’s heard good things from everyone he’s talked to about Hefner.
“People I trust, everybody said, ‘This is your guy,’” Mendoza said.
The new manager added that although he hasn’t spoken to the man he’s replacing, Buck Showalter, he plans to.
He’s also going to have conversations with other former Mets managers such as Willie Randolph, Luis Rojas and Terry Collins.
“I know what Terry means to this organization,’’ Mendoza said.
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