Mets manager Carlos Mendoza signals for some Q&A with Post columnist Steve Serby as spring training gets underway in Port St. Lucie:
Q: Have you envisioned what Queens or New York would be like if the Mets made it to a World Series?
A: Yeah, yeah. That’s what drives me. It’s an incredible thing to even think about it. We felt it last year, but yes, I envision how New York could be and how Queens, not only if we get to the World Series, but winning the whole thing.
Q: Is that a realistic goal?
A: Oh yeah. That’s what we’re here for.
Q: You think your team has a legitimate shot.
A: Yup. We got a chance. … I thought about that last year, too.
Q: How electric do you think Citi Field will be with Juan Soto playing everyday?
A: It’ll be electric. Looking back how Citi Field was in September, and definitely in October, that’s an unbelievable feeling. We feed off that, and that’s what we’re expecting, and we want to see a packed house every day. It’ll be electric [not] only because of Soto but because of the really good players that we got in here, whether it’s [Francisco] Lindor, whether it’s Francisco Alvarez, [Brandon] Nimmo, [Jeff] McNeil, you name it, so it’ll be exciting.
Q: What makes Soto so special?
A: Great human being … humble … he’s fearless.
Q: Could you elaborate on fearless?
A: You could see how every at-bat, every pitch, the way he stares down those pitchers in a good way, because when he strikes out, he just puts his head down so it’s not in a disrespectful manner. I see a guy that he seems like the moment is never too big for him.
Q: Does his persona in the batter’s box and his swing remind you of anybody?
A: Everyone is different in their own way, but he’s right there in the conversation with some of the best ones in the heart of this game and he’s only 26.
Q: Have you gotten to know him yet?
A: I had some conversations with him, but I’m looking forward to those everyday interactions in just kind of what makes him tick. It’s going to take some time here to get to know Soto, that’s what spring training’s all about, so I got seven weeks before we get to Opening Day, and I’ll have a better idea by the time we get [to] Houston.
Q: Do you sense a hunger in this team?
A: Yeah, I saw it last year. We got not only really good players, but players that are committed to whatever it takes to win and accomplish the ultimate goal which is to win a championship. So they’re hungry, they’re always looking for ways to get better, looking for ways to improve … this is a special group.
Q: How did your opening training camp speech differ from last year’s?
A: At the end of the day, we have a goal — it’s the same. Last year our goal was to win a championship, we didn’t do that. Our goal this year is to win a championship. It’ll be clear what our goal is. But we got work to do.
Q: Can this be a Mets Town?
A: Queens is a Mets Town (laugh). This is the best market, the biggest city, the best place in the world, and I think there’s room for both teams.
Q: What is your definition of a gamer?
A: A guy that comes to the ballpark and has got a clear understanding of what it takes to beat the other team. A guy that understands that it takes effort and it takes discipline and [who] respects and plays the game the right way.
Q: How many gamers do you have?
A: I have a lot of them, and I’m proud of them.
Q: Do you have more gamers now than you did a year ago?
A: We got some new faces … I got to get to know those new faces and the new personalities, but there’s a reason why they’re here. We think they’re gamers, but some of the guys that were here last year, I know who they are, and I got a lot of them.
Q: What do you like best about your lineup?
A: I like everything about our lineup. I like the versatility, the balance, whether we got some righties, some lefties, some switch-hitters, I like that we can hit the ball out of the ballpark, we can play the small ball, we got guys who can hit for average, we got guys that can run the bases. So there’s a lot to like.
Q: What would you say is the strength of your team?
A: Our offense. Our lineup. Our depth is the two things that makes us a strong team.
Q: You’re good at telling what makes a player tick, aren’t you?
A: I wouldn’t say that I’m very good. I spend a lot of time in getting to know the players. So once you know their personalities, once you know who they are on and off the field, it helps finding out what makes them tick.
Q: OK — what makes Pete Alonso tick?
A: He wants to play, he wants to be in the lineup, that’s what makes him tick. If he’s in the lineup, and hitting in the middle of the lineup, that makes him tick.
Q: What makes Mark Vientos tick?
A: New York … the fan base … he’s got that swag, that’s why they call him Swaggy, right? So I think that’s what makes him tick.
Q: What makes Lindor tick?
A: (Laugh) His girls. His daughters. And now a baby boy that’s on the way.
Q: What makes Brandon Nimmo tick?
A: The New York Mets! He’s a hit that came up through the system, just like Pete. And I think he cares deeply about this organization.
Q: What makes Edwin Diaz tick?
A: The sound of those trumpets kind of gets him going, I guess (laugh), makes him tick.
Q: What makes Kodai Senga tick?
A: He competes, man. He’s a gamer. Obviously we didn’t see much of him last year so I’m kind of still developing that relationship with him and I want to see more on the field. I know off the field what drives him, but he’s very detail-oriented.
Q: What makes Alvarez tick ?
A: A lot of passion, and he wants to win, he wants to win a championship.
Q: What makes Lindor perfect for New York?
A: For me, it’s the quality of the person, he’s a family guy with a very good support system, and on top of that, he’s gifted. He’s got all the tools, and the commitment. What really makes this guy special is the commitment and the willingness to get better. He’s never satisfied.
Q: Why is Carlos Mendoza perfect for New York?
A: I wouldn’t say that I’m perfect for New York (chuckle), but I don’t think anybody’s perfect, but I know what it takes. I know the expectations. I know how passionate the fan base is, and I embrace those and I enjoy whether going through the tough times or whether we’re having a good time because we’re playing well. I’m not perfect, but I love being in New York, and especially being the manager for the Mets.
Q: It sounds like you never have a bad day.
A: I’m human, you know? (Chuckle) But it’s how you respond to it, how you react, how you learn and move on. Every day presents a challenge, you just got to face it and move on.
Q: Your rotation?
A: It’s deep. I like the depth we were able to acquire during the offseason. I like definitely some of the guys that are going to be on the front end, whether it’s [Sean] Manaea, whether it’s Senga, [David] Peterson, and I like the depth that is provided by [Griffin] Canning, [Clay] Holmes, [Paul] Blackburn, [Tylor] Megill, we got some good options.
Q: The state of your bullpen.
A: Great. We added A.J. Minter, this guy’s already coming with a World Series ring, he knows what it feels, what it takes to get there. We were able to bring back [Ryne] Stanek, Reed Garrett after a full year pitching in the big leagues, [José] Buttó transitioning to that role, we have a healthy [Dedniel] Núñez Those are some of the guys that are going to hand the ball to Edwin Diaz.
Q: How is Diaz?
A: He’s coming off a really good offseason. He’s feeling good, looking good, so yeah, ready to go.
Q: Team defense?
A: We got some elite defense. It starts behind the plate with Alvarez and Luis Torrens, those guys do a really good job handling the pitching staff. You got one of the best shortstops in the league. McNeil had a really good second half defensively, and then in center field, you got two guys who can go and get it better than anybody in baseball whether it’s Tyrone Taylor, who can also play by the way anywhere in the outfield, you got Jose Siri, he’s an elite defender. … We got a pretty good defensive team.
Q: Team speed?
A:. Whether it’s Lindor, Nimmo, Tyrone Taylor, Siri, McNeil, [Starling] Marte … we got a little bit of everything.
Q: The bench?
A: I’m pretty confident. When everyone is healthy, you’re looking at the bench of a Luis Torrens, Jesse Winker, Starling Marte, and then there’s competition for that utility spot, and the good thing is we got some really good options there.
Q: What are you expecting from Luisangel Acuña?
A: I want him to be himself. Same thing that he did when he came up last year, not to put too much pressure on himself, go out there and just do what he’s capable of, which is catch the baseball, impact the baseball, run the bases and have fun.
Q: Where do you hope and expect Alvarez to get better?
A: Everywhere. Continue to improve his receiving, which is elite, the blocking, the throwing, and then offensively, he’s made some adjustments in the offseason, whether it’s staying more towards the middle of the field, driving the ball gap-to-gap, be more under control, so there’s a lot to like there because when he hits, the power is real.
Q: Who replaces Jose Iglesias’ spirit and energy?
A: We got a lot of guys with a lot of energy here. Iglesias was a big part last year, just like some of the older guys that are here or they’re not here. So it’s on all of us to continue to build. We got to start from zero, but we got a lot of guys here that provide the energy, too.
Q: David Peterson came on strong at the end of last season. What are you expecting from him?
A: To be himself. Not trying to do too much. He’s not here to prove anything. He’s just got to go out there and continue to do it consistently. Take the baseball, stay healthy and be himself.
Q: Some of your coaches … pitching coach Jeremy Hefner?
A: Smart, former player that knows what it takes to pitch at the big-league level. But he also is very smart and understands all the technologies and the analytics, so he’s got both, he’s got the old school and the new school.
Q: Bench coach John Gibbons?
A: Demeanor, his personality, consistent, great guy.
Q: Co-hitting coach Eric Chavez?
A: Love and passion for the game, and his ability to impact players in and off the field.
Q: Co-hitting coach Jeremy Barnes?
A: Same thing. His ability to teach, his ability to understand the technology and the analytics, and his ability to filter and keeping it simple for the players.
Q: Third base coach Mike Sarbaugh?
A: Great family, good people skills, really good understanding of the game and a really good infield coach. And definitely one of the best third base coaches in the league.
Q: What makes him a good third base coach? That’s a tough job.
A: It is a tough job. When you don’t have too many people talking about your third base coach, that’s a good thing (laugh). His ability to slow the game down, his preparation, and the feel for the game. And knowing the personnel, knowing the roster. And he prepares.
Q: Antoan Richardson?
A: Our baserunning, outfield, first base coach. Elite at baserunning, base stealing. We saw what Nimmo was able to do last year as far as stealing bases. His ability to get some tips and tells from opposing teams. His preparation is off the chart.
Q: What is the best part about being the manager of the New York Mets?
A: Every time I wake up, I can’t wait to come to the ballpark and just be around the coaches, being around the players and having the opportunity to compete and win a championship.
Q: What surprised you the most about the job?
A: I wouldn’t say surprise. I think it’s just confirming a lot of the things that you already knew or thought about it. I was pretty close to being in this seat as a bench coach, so you have a pretty good idea.
Q: How do you handle pressure and the inevitable adversity?
A: I see it as opportunities [for] growth to get better and to learn and move on. Every year brings challenges, every day you’re facing challenges.
Q: You never felt stressed out at all?
A: (Laugh) I don’t know about stress. I embrace what the season brings with the ups and downs.
Q: What drives you now?
A: My family, No. 1. Wife and kids. That’s what drives me every day to come to work. And the opportunity to win a championship. That’s what we are going after here.
Q: Has leadership always come easy to you?
A: I’m not going to say easy, but when I was a player, I always wanted to help people, I always wanted to make a positive impact on people that I was always surrounded with. That’s how I always saw it and I continue to see it that way. In positions like this — in anything in life — you’re trying to help and make a positive impact on people.
Q: What is the key to building relationships?
A: A lot of communication. A lot of listening, investing time in getting to know the individuals, whether they’re players on and off the field, whether they’re coaches, on and off the field, front office. Just the way you communicate with them, meet them where they’re at, and listen as much as possible.
Q: Are you recognized around town around New York?
A: I am. A little bit more than I was used to (laugh). I love it. It just goes to show you how connected and how much the people follow the games and follow the Mets.
Q: Tell me what you’ve learned about David Stearns.
A: That he’s not only super smart, but he’s got tremendous people skills, and he gets that it’s a game that is played by humans.
Q: A scouting report on your owner?
A: The best. I will say that Steve and Alex [Cohen] both, they are the best. They are willing to do whatever it takes to bring a championship to Queens.
Q: How long did it take you to get over the loss in the NLCS to the Dodgers?
A: It hurts, but at the same time, you got to go on, and you start thinking about the next year. Probably a couple of days, and by the time I got home, we were already talking about next year, and how can we get better?
Q: Is this job better than you thought it would be?
A: (Laugh) The way I see it is it’s a blessing, I have a really good opportunity in front of me, and I just don’t take anything for granted. It’s an honor for me to put this uniform on day in and day out.
Q: What do you want Mets fans to say about your team?
A: That we respect the game, we respect our fan base, that we play the game hard, and we have fun.
Q: Your message to Mets fans?
A: That we’re here to work and do whatever it takes to bring the championship to Queens and to come and support us and enjoy it.
Q: It sounds like Mets fans have a driven manager and a driven team, is that right?
A: Yup, that’s right.
