PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets will have a Hall of Famer in camp starting Sunday.
Mike Piazza, who gained the honor last month when he was elected to the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, will spend the next few days as a guest instructor for the Mets at spring training.
Piazza’s last visit to spring training came two years ago.
“He can talk to the catchers, hitters want to pick his brain,” David Wright said. “He was about as lethal as anybody at the plate, so he would be a good resource.”
Wright, now a senior voice in the clubhouse, was just beginning with the Mets as Piazza was completing his tenure with the club. But Wright hasn’t forgotten Piazza’s influence on him.
“I was kind of lucky,” Wright said. “I got to see his work ethic and he was always working on throwing to bases, so kind of at a young age that kind of stuck with me.
“You’ve got a guy that is one of the best if not the best hitting catchers of all time, but still not complacent with where he’s at and he is still working on his game, working on his defense, so he kind of taught that to me at a young age: Never be satisfied with where you’re at.”
Yoenis Cespedes concluded his automobile show by arriving in a Polaris slingshot three-wheeler that was similar to one he drove earlier in the week. The latest was black with blue trim and had a shamrock on the front with the words “Live Lucky.”
It concluded a week in which Cespedes arrived in six different cars with a total value of about $1 million.
“He does it because he likes to have a lot of cars, and I respect that,” Jeurys Familia said.
Manager Terry Collins said he doesn’t want any of his players taking it for granted the 25-man roster is full. As it stands, perhaps two spots in the bullpen are open.
“A lot of people have written that we don’t have a lot of jobs open, and that’s true at this particular moment, but at some time somebody is going to get hurt and we’re going to need players,” Collins said.
“I’ve told these guys they have got to approach it as if they are going to make this team. I’m going to go around and see what their actions look like and let them know that I am watching close.”
Rafael Montero is scheduled to start the Mets’ Grapefruit League opener on Thursday against the Nationals. The Mets are planning an intrasquad scrimmage for Tuesday.
Mets Training Day
Logan’s run
Logan Verrett, who is competing for a spot in the bullpen, managed to keep Yoenis Cespedes in check during live batting practice.
Taking it slow
David Wright hasn’t taken a swing during live batting practice as the Mets attempt to pace him this spring.
Caught my eye
Brandon Nimmo, who won’t resume baseball activities for at least another two weeks because of a torn tendon in his foot, has stood in the outfield to retrieve balls during live batting practice the past two days.
Today’s schedule
The Mets will hold their third day of full-squad workouts as they prepare for the Grapefruit League opener Thursday against the Nationals.