PORT ST. LUCIE — Neil Walker still is trying to digest the fact he no longer plays for the Pirates.
A Pittsburgh native who had spent his entire career in the Pirates organization, the 30-year-old Walker arrived at spring training for the Mets on Wednesday and had an “adventure” getting into Tradition Field.
“I am trying to figure out my settings, that type of thing,” Walker said. “I think the first day of full workouts here, when I’m in full uniform and I’m looking around and I’m no longer in Bradenton or recognizing a lot of Pittsburgh people, that’s when it’s going to set in.”
Walker, the second baseman the Mets acquired on Dec. 9 from the Pirates for Jon Niese, said he likely will need 7-10 days to get comfortable with shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera on turning the double play.
In Pittsburgh, Walker played for three straight teams that reached the postseason, and he expects that experience to come in handy with the Mets.
“When you’re in those situations late in games or late in the season or in big situations, the more you’ve been in them and the more calm you are and the more you expect to be successful in those moments,” Walker said. “Nothing can replace those situations.”
A familiar face for Walker in the clubhouse will be reliever Antonio Bastardo, who spent last season with the Pirates.
“He’s as steady as they come,” Walker said. “You’re not going to see him get too high, get too low. He throws strikes. He’s got one of those fastballs you don’t see a lot, especially from the left side. It’s kind of a riser so he gets a ton of foul balls, a ton of bad swings, late swings and I think that’s pretty valuable when you’re talking about a late-inning guy, particularly a left-hander.”
The Rangers could have interest in Alejandro De Aza, according to Foxsports.com, but the Mets are in no hurry to deal the outfielder. De Aza was signed as a free agent during the offseason, meaning he would have to give his consent to any trade before June 15.
Pitchers and catchers will undergo physicals Thursday, and the first official workout is Friday. Position players are not required to report until Wednesday.