Acce s the Mets beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets. 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. Thats what drives me. Its 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. Thats what were here for. Q: You think your team has a legitimate shot. A: Yup. We got a chance. I thought about that last year, too. Explore More Q: How electric do you think Citi Field will be with Juan Soto playing everyday? A: Itll be electric. Looking back how Citi Field was in September, and definitely in October, thats an unbelievable feeling. We feed off that, and thats what were expecting, and we want to see a packed house every day. Itll be electric [not] only because of Soto but because of the really good players that we got in here, whether its [Francisco] Lindor, whether its Francisco Alvarez, [Brandon] Nimmo, [Jeff] McNeil, you name it, so itll be exciting. Q: What makes Soto so special? A: Great human being humble hes fearle s. Q: Could you elaborate on fearle s? 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 its 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 batters box and his swing remind you of anybody? A: Everyone is different in their own way, but hes right there in the conversation with some of the best ones in the heart of this game and hes only 26. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza speaks with the media at Spring Training, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in Port St. Lucie, FL. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST Q: Have you gotten to know him yet? A: I had some conversations with him, but Im looking forward to those everyday interactions in just kind of what makes him tick. Its going to take some time here to get to know Soto, thats what spring trainings all about, so I got seven weeks before we get to Opening Day, and Ill 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 theyre hungry, theyre 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 years? A: At the end of the day, we have a goal its the same. Last year our goal was to win a championship, we didnt do that. Our goal this year is to win a championship. Itll 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 theres room for both teams. Newest Met Juan Soto with Mets manager Carlos Mendoza during a pre s conference where Soto was introduced as the newest Met at Citi Field on Dec. 12, 2024. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post 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 Im 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 theres a reason why theyre here. We think theyre 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 theres a lot to like. Mark Vientos takes batting practice at Spring Training, Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, in Port St. Lucie, FL. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST 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: Youre good at telling what makes a player tick, arent you? A: I wouldnt say that Im 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 Ryan Williams Jersey what makes them tick. Q: OK what makes Pete Alonso tick? A: He wants to play, he wants to be in the lineup, thats what makes him tick. If hes 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 hes got that swag, thats why they call him Swaggy, right? So I think thats what makes him tick. Francisco Lindor walks to the clubhouse at Spring Training, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Port St. Lucie, FL. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST Q: What makes Lindor tick? A: (Laugh) His girls. His daughters. And now a baby boy thats on the way. Q: What makes Brandon Nimmo tick? A: The New York Mets! Hes 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 gue s (laugh), makes him tick. Q: What makes Kodai Senga tick? A: He competes, man. Hes a gamer. Obviously we didnt see much of him last year so Im 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 hes very detail-oriented. See Also New York Mets Q: What makes Alvarez tick ? A: A lot of pa sion, and he wants to win, he wants to win a championship. Q: What makes Lindor perfect for New York? A: For me, its the quality of the person, hes a family guy with a very good support system, and on top of that, hes gifted. Hes got all the tools, and the commitment. What really makes this guy special is the commitment and the willingne s to get better. Hes never satisfied. Q: Why is Carlos Mendoza perfect for New York? A: I wouldnt say that Im perfect for New York (chuckle), but I dont think anybodys perfect, but I know what it takes. I know the expectations. I know how pa sionate the fan base is, and I embrace those and I enjoy whether going through the tough times or whether were having a good time because were playing well. Im 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: Im human, you know? (Chuckle) But its 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: Its 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 its [Sean] Manaea, whether its 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 guys 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, [Jos] Butt transitioning to that role, we have a healthy [Dedniel] Nez Those are some of the guys that are going to hand the ball to Edwin Diaz. Q: How is Diaz? A: Hes coming off a really good offseason. Hes feeling good, looking good, so yeah, ready to go. New York Mets pitcher Sean Manaea (l.) walks with pitcher Clay Holmes at Spring Training, Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, in Port St. Lucie, FL. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST 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 its Tyrone Taylor, who can also play by the way anywhere in the outfield, you got Jose Siri, hes an elite defender. We got a pretty good defensive team. Q: Team speed? A:. Whether its Lindor, Nimmo, Tyrone Taylor, Siri, McNeil, [Starling] Marte we got a little bit of everything. Q: The bench? A: Im pretty confident. When everyone is healthy, youre looking at the bench of a Luis Torrens, Je se Winker, Starling Marte, and then theres competition for that utility spot, and the good thing is we got some really good options there. Q: What would you say is the strength of your team? A: Our strength is our clubhouse. Q: What are you expecting from Luisangel Acua? A: I want him to be himself. Same thing that he did when he came up last year, not to put too much pre sure on himself, go out there and just do what hes capable of, which is catch the baseball, impact the baseball, run the bases and have fun. Starling Marte takes batting practice at Spring Training, Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, in Port St. Lucie, FL Corey Sipkin for the NY POST 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, hes made some adjustments in the offseason, whether its staying more towards the middle of the field, driving the ball gap-to-gap, be more under control, so theres 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 theyre not here. So its 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. Hes not here to prove anything. Hes 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 hes got both, hes 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 pa sion 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? Thats a tough job. A: It is a tough job. When you dont have too many people talking about your third base coach, thats 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. Delivering insights on all things Amazins Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+ Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! 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 cant 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 wouldnt say surprise. I think its 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 pre sure 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 youre facing challenges. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza looks on at Spring Training, Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, in Port St. Lucie, FL. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST Q: You never felt stre sed out at all? A: (Laugh) I dont know about stre s. I embrace what the season brings with the ups and downs. Q: What drives you now? A: My family, No. 1. Wife and kids. Thats what drives me every day to come to work. And the opportunity to win a championship. Thats what we are going after here. Q: Has leadership always come easy to you? A: Im 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. Thats how I always saw it and I continue to see it that way. In positions like this in anything in life youre 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 theyre players on and off the field, whether theyre coaches, on and off the field, front office. Just the way you communicate with them, meet them where theyre at, and listen as much as po sible. 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. New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza looks on as pitcher Ryne Stanek (55) throws in the bullpen at Spring Training, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, in Port St. Lucie, FL. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST Q: Tell me what youve learned about David Stearns. A: That hes not only super smart, but hes got tremendous people skills, and he gets that its 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 lo s 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 its a ble sing, I have a really good opportunity in front of me, and I just dont take anything for granted. Its an honor for me to put this uniform on day in and day out. Carlos Mendoza looks on at Spring Training, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, in Port St. Lucie, FL. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST 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 me sage to Mets fans? A: That were 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, thats right. Minkah Fitzpatrick Jersey