Optimism reigns on Mets’ Day 1

PORT ST. LUCIE – The gang’s all here.

The entire Mets staff congregated at First Data Field on Monday morning for the first full-squad workout of spring training.

The onset of camp is a good time for the fans in Flushing. Almost every player on the roster is healthy, and those who are injured offer optimistic outlooks on their recovery. The Mets cannot lose a game before the season begins, so there’s not much to complain about, except maybe Tim Tebow.

But at this juncture, fans have more to look forward to than in typical years.

Monday was the first official day all position players and coaches, in addition to pitchers and catchers, had to report to camp. But most of the staff had already trickled into the clubhouse and placed their belongings in their lockers well before the official reporting dates.

Players openly attribute this early dedication to general manager Brodie Van Wagenen. From day one of his new position with the Mets, his focus has been on winning now and winning often.

Van Wagenen promised a fresh flock of players — in Robinson Cano, Edwin Diaz, Wilson Ramos, Jed Lowrie and more — who could bring a winning culture. Progressively, players began ramping up their workouts in the offseason. Multiple players that excel in the same position were on the roster. Competition for certain spots was made clear. Suddenly, players are showing up early to camp. “Bring energy, go out there and have fun and play the game the right way. It’s real simple,” Mickey Callaway said of his message to players on Monday. “It’s fun to do that the first day of full-squad workouts. It’s something a manager looks forward to all offseason, to deliver the message.

“The good part is, the type of players we have in there, they probably didn’t even need it. They were already doing the type of things that we talked about in there. But it’s definitely fun for the manager. I’m sure they were like ‘OK, lets go. Let’s go out there and play ball.’”

There is an undeniable renewed energy surrounding the club – one that inspires grit and determination. And it arrived well before the first day of full-squad workouts.

FRAZIER IN A CORNER

Natural third baseman Todd Frazier will see playing time at both first and third base this season, Callaway confirmed on Monday. Peter Alonso is still vying for the first-base job, but the Mets want to make sure the 33-year-old Frazier feels comfortable around the diamond.

“He’s very confident that he can move over to first base and probably be a Gold Glover,” Callaway said. “When you move a guy from third over to first, he’s going to be able to shine over there.”

NO MOUND VISIT FOR J.D.

J.D. Davis, the former infielder for the Astros, revealed earlier this year that he could also pitch. While the Mets acknowledged his dual-threat, Callaway said the 25-year-old will be restricted to anywhere but the mound. He sees Davis as a super-utility man.