¡®Big smile on my face¡¯: Mendoza happy to have Alonso back

When Mets manager Carlos Mendoza heard that the club had agreed to a deal to bring back first baseman Pete Alonso, his reaction was similar to the one expressed by many Mets fans.

¡°Once I got the news that we got Pete back -- big smile on my face,¡± Mendoza said in an interview on MLB Network Radio on Sunday.

Then Mendoza kept smiling as he envisioned what the top of his 2025 lineup would look like. He said he has a ¡°pretty good idea¡± on the top half of the order. That will likely feature Alonso batting behind Francisco Lindor and the Mets¡¯ crown jewel of the offseason, Juan Soto. Veteran outfielder Brandon Nimmo and infielder Mark Vientos will likely make up the rest of that quintet.

¡°I'm excited to have Pete back and what the team was able to do this offseason,¡± Mendoza said. ¡°I can't wait to get going.¡±

The preparation for this season will kick into higher gear this week as the Mets report to their Spring Training complex in Port St. Lucie, Fla. The first workout for pitchers and catchers is scheduled for Friday, and the team¡¯s first full-squad workout is Feb. 17.

• Everything you need to know for Mets Spring Training

The club is coming off a ¡°magical¡± season by Mendoza¡¯s own admission. The Mets rallied down the stretch, won 21 of their final 31 regular-season games to grab a Wild Card spot and advanced all the way to the National League Championship Series before being dispatched by the Dodgers in six games.

But that was last year. In 2025, the Mets have loftier aspirations.

¡°Even though it was a very good year for us last year, we didn't accomplish the ultimate goal, which is to win a championship,¡± Mendoza said. ¡°So we¡¯ve got to move on.¡±

The Mets won¡¯t reach their ultimate goal without getting the best from everyone inside their clubhouse. That includes Mendoza, who is looking to improve in his second year as manager.

¡°I praise myself in being a good communicator, but I also feel like I¡¯ve got to get better,¡± he said. ¡°I put a lot of emphasis on relationships, on people. It starts with investing time in your players, investing time with your coaches. Those are some of the things that I'm really looking forward to in, and I can't wait.¡±

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