Addition of Frazier has Mets buzzing
PORT ST. LUCIE — Todd Frazier makes the Mets legit.
They believe they really have a fighting chance to compete for the wild card, now that they finally have a third baseman again after agreeing to a two-year, $17 million deal with Frazier on Monday night.
“It’s huge,’’ catcher Travis d’Arnaud said Tuesday at the Mets’ training complex at First Data Field. “He’s a solid player, always has been his whole career and I think playing in his hometown, he is going to be fired up. He will be f ired up to play every day and try to win every single game. I can’t wait.’’
Frazier’s signing has lifted up the Mets emotionally.
The Yankees got the same kind of lift from Frazier after making the trade for him last July. The defense tightened, the lineup became deeper and next thing you know, the Yankees were knocking off Mickey Callaway’s Indians in the playoffs and taking the eventual world champion Astros to seven games in the ALCS.
Frazier’s deal is pending the results of a physical, but the Mets had a little more bounce in their steps Tuesday at their pre-camp workout.
Callaway sure knows what Frazier means to the Mets lineup.
“He is a perfect fit for us,’’ Callaway told The Post.
The Mets’ infield defense has been atrocious the past few years and Frazier will clean up that side of the infield, much like he did for the Yankees, replacing Chase Headley. The Yankees were 48-45 the day they traded for Frazier and relievers David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle from the White Sox.
The Yankees went 43-26 after that deal — and acquir- ing Sonny Gray — and won the wild-card game against Minnesota, beat the Indians and came within one victory of the World Series. Frazier helped the Yankees get it together.
“He’s an exciting guy,” Robertson said at the annual Thurman Munson Awards Dinner in Midtown. “He’s got experience playing in big games, especially in the postseason with us last year, so I think he’s gonna bring a lot to the table. I think he’s gonna be a big addition for them.”
Nothing comes easy for the Mets, though, and they’re keeping an eye on the secondtier, free-agent starting pitching market.
Frazier’s experience should be a big plus for young shortstop Amed Rosario. Frazier will turn 32 next week, but he has a way of connecting with younger players. He was especially close to Aaron Judge.
“I feel really good to be playing alongside hi m,’ ’ Rosario, 22, said through a translator. “He’s a veteran guy and I get to learn a lot from him. I am going to pick his brain every chance I get. I’m really looking forward to being here with him.’’
Rosario said the addition of Frazier makes the Mets that much stronger.
“We have an excellent pitching staff, and if they can just be healthy and we stay together on the field, it should be a great year,’’ Rosario said.
The Mets at least, they say, have a chance now.
D’Arnaud, who must come through at catcher, went one step further, saying, “Do whatever we need to do to get back to November baseball.’’
We’ll see what happens, but the Mets are thinking big again thanks to the addition of Frazier.