Rosario wants to stick around, team with Cano
Shortly after being traded from Seattle to the Mets, Robinson Cano reached out to Amed Rosario and the two talked about forming a dynamic double-play combination in Queens.
Now, with new general manager Brodie Van Wagenen showing a willingness to consider more moves — including perhaps trading Noah Syndergaard — Rosario hopes his future remains with the Mets.
Van Wagenen indicated last week the shortstop was part of the Mets’ core and said he didn’t want to move any current players that would create a hole in the lineup. Losing Rosario would certainly do that.
“I was very happy about the comments that have come out about me not being traded,’’ Rosario said through an interpreter. “I definitely feel like part of the Mets family and that I’m staying here.”
That family could look considerably different by Opening Day, with the Mets exploring trade possibilities that could land them Miami catcher J.T. Realmuto after already adding Cano and right-hander Edwin Diaz from the Mariners in a deal last week.
Rosario, who was at Citi Field on Tuesday participating in the team’s food drive to benefit Mary Brennan Inn, a soup kitchen on Long Island, said Cano told the young shortstop he was excited to be coming back to New York and “he’s going to show me a couple things to make me a better player.”
“When I was young, everyone knew Cano,’’ said Rosario, who, like Cano, is from the Dominican Republic. “I have a lot to learn from him.”
The two met years ago, when Cano was still with the Yankees and Rosario sought him out at a practice in Cano’s hometown of San Pedro de Macroris.
“It was a great experience being so young and being around a superstar baseball player,’’ said Rosario, who was 14 or 15 at the time. “I never expected to play with him, but baseball is very small. Now that Cano is here, I’m happy.”
If Rosario remains with the Mets, he acknowledged it will take a while to get comfortable in the middle of the infield alongside Cano.
“We haven’t played together, so we don’t know how the rhythm of the game is gonna go, but time will tell,’’ said Rosario, who turned 23 last month. “I think we’ll do a great job.”
Rosario made strides in his first full season in the majors and will have a new hitting coach, Chili Davis, to work with in 2019.
He has yet to talk to Davis, but is confident last year’s time in the majors will pay dividends and that the future is bright at Citi Field.
“Last year, I got a lot of experience that will help me get better,’’ Rosario said. “If everyone is healthy, we have a chance to contend.” dan.martin@nypost.com