With nearly two months to go before Opening Day, the Mets were helping whet fan’s appetite for baseball season with Amazin’ Day at Citi Field on Saturday.
The club’s fan fest — the first of its kind under owner Steve Cohen — was set to feature a little bit of everything for baseball fans, from autograph sessions to baseball cards, panel discussions with current and former Mets and a chance to throw in the Mets’ bullpen.
With several prominent players in attendancd, including Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo and Edwin Diaz, we’ll be following along with everything that is said with less than a month until spring training. Juan Soto was not at the event after travel issues from the Dominican Republic.
Make sure to follow along for all the noteworthy interactions and events unfolding at the Mets’ Amazin’ Day on Saturday:
A.J. Minter excited to change sides of rivalry
A.J. Minter began to see how invested the Mets were in trying to add him beginning at the Winter Meetings in early December. They checked in on his rehab progress following September hip surgery and eventually landed him on a two-year, $22 million deal.
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On Saturday, the 31-year-old lefty reliever, who had spent all eight seasons of his career with the Braves, got a chance to see what he was stepping into as a member of the Mets bullpen.
“My whole career has been on the other side and getting to see the Mets over the years, it’s an exciting time to be a New York Met,” Minter said. “It’s the camaraderie, the chemistry, obviously the winning, the culture here. It’s exciting and it’s a great destination to be.”
Ironically, Minter’s first major-league at-bat was against Edwin Diaz. Fortunately for Minter, Diaz didn’t swing and the pitcher picked up the strikeout. Now, the pair will be joining forces to help close down games.
“He’s had great success and he’s a dominant closer,” Minter said. “My job is to go in there and give him a clean inning every time.”
Minter said that he has had some fun back-and-forths with some of his former Braves teammates since signing with the NL East rivals, but he’s excited for his new chapter.
“Obviously, Atlanta holds a close place in my heart,” Minter said. “I’ll do anything for the,, but at the same time, I’m here to beat them. It’s that friendly competition.”
The lefty, who had left hip impingement repaired in September, said his goal is to be ready to go on Opening Day.
An impending reality without Pete Alonso?
As the Mets gave their fans an opportunity to dote on their favorite team and players and experience Citi Field from a never-before-seen perspective, there was a pall cast by the absence of Pete Alonso, who continues to negotiate in his first free agent window.
For the players, they expressed understanding and support for Alonso’s right to explore his market. The Mets front office, led by owner Steve Cohen and president of baseball operations David Stearns, offered that understanding, as well. But Cohen also made it clear the difficult nature of the negotiations with their homegrown star.
While addressing a group of fans during the team’s Leadership Fireside Chat at Amazin’ Day, Cohen had to appease his passionate fan base but outlined how difficult the negotiations had been and a stark reality that Alonso might not be back.
“I will never say, ‘No.’ There’s always the possibility, but the reality is we’re moving forward and we continue to bring in players,” Cohen said. “As we continue to bring in players, the reality is it becomes harder to fit Pete into what is a very expensive group of players that we already have.”
Carlos Mendoza offers injury status on Ronny Mauricio, others
With a possibility that Mark Vientos will need to shift across the diamond to first base, there is even more focus on the Mets’ young talent, including Ronny Mauricio, who is returning after missing all of 2024 with a torn ACL.
Manager Carlos Mendoza said Mauricio has resumed baseball activities, including hitting, running and taking ground balls, but that the Mets will ease him back to competition.
“He continues to progress. He’s going through his running progression,” Mendoza said. “We’re going to take it slow with them. This is a guy that missed the whole year last year and had some setbacks, but we like where he’s at physically right now.”
Additionally, Paul Blackburn, whose season was cut short with a spinal fluid leak in 2024, got on the mound last week. Blackburn, who could factor in a competition for a No. 6 spot in the rotation is “progressing well” following light throwing with the intensity set to pick up in the coming weeks.
Dedniel Nuñez has thrown bullpens and live batting practice in the Dominican Republic and is in a “good place,” according to Mendoza.
Brett Baty debuts new number
When Juan Soto agreed to a deal with the Mets ahead of the Winter Meetings in early December, the No. 22 needed to change hands.
As Soto moved to Flushing, Brett Baty, who wore the number during parts of three seasons with the Mets, has now changed his jersey to No. 7 ahead of the 2025 season.
“I always grew up watching Jose Reyes, obviously, and one of my favorite players growing up was actually Joe Mauer for the Twins,” Baty said. “I loved a left-handed-hitting catcher. I was actually a catcher when I was younger, so those two guys, I grew up rooting for them, so that’s kind of why I chose the number.”
An unusual scene at Citi Field
Baseball season is on deck, and it was an unusual scene at Citi Field on Saturday afternoon with snow covering the diamond and fans dotting the tunnel underneath the ballpark.
The Mets pulled out all the stops for the first Amazin’ Day event at Citi Field under the ownership of Steve and Alex Cohen.
It was a who’s who of Mets current and former legends. Outside the Home Plate Club, Darryl Strawberry posed with fans while R.A. Dickey found a spot in the home clubhouse during the self-guided tour. Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo, Mark Vientos and Jesse Winker all sat on a panel early in the day to discuss the Mets’ memorable 2024 season.
Noticeably absent? Juan Soto was not in attendance, along with Dedniel Nunez and Huascar Brazoban, due to travel issues from the Dominican Republic.
NY Mets have a new road uniform
The Mets are going to have a different look on the road this season.
New blue uniforms feature New York script on the front. All the text and numbers are outlined in orange. The Mets’ skyline logo is featured on the sleeve. The new shirts were hanging in the home clubhouse during Amazin’ Day on Saturday at Citi Field,
Rather than the traditional button-up top, the newest additions to the Mets’ wardrobe are pullovers with a hybrid V-neck collar.
