Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

There is nothing that quite compares to the excitement and optimism that surrounds the beginning of spring training. Especially when the New York Mets have had such a busy offseason, setting lofty goals for the season ahead.

Today marks the second day of camp with most of the team fully reported at this point. Here are some of the biggest takeaways out of Port St. Lucie on Wednesday.

Dominic Smith Makes His First Appearance at Camp

Luis Rojas recently said that the Mets were still waiting for four players to be cleared to arrive to camp, with Dominic Smith and Carlos Carrasco being the two big names that had been absent so far. That changed on Wednesday for Smith.

Smith was seen getting his work in around camp, working with some of the other outfielders in the field and taking some cuts alongside Brandon Nimmo and J.D. Davis.

When asked about Smith’s arrival to camp, Luis Rojas said that he was always aware what field Dom was on today because he could hear the laughter from all of the people around him.

Dellin Betances’ First Press Conference of 2021

Dellin Betances met with the media for the first time on Wednesday, as the nine-year veteran is set to begin his second season with the New York Mets.

The main topic of conversation throughout the media session was Betances’ velocity, which was down significantly last year compared to his time with the New York Yankees earlier in his career. Betances expressed optimism for the upcoming season, since he finally had a healthy and normal offseason.

“I feel tremendously better now than I did last year.” Betances said.

Betances did not make any promises that his velocity will return, but is trying to gain more control over his stuff, regardless of how hard he throws. Through this offseason he has focused on getting more carry on his pitches by trying to clean up his mechanics. He hopes with more control over his stuff, the strikeouts will return as well.

Betances knows that his first year in Queens was not a success, but he hopes to rectify that this season. The soon-to-be 33-year-old admits that he has a lot to prove to Mets fans, as he looks to have a better year in 2021.

“I want to win the fanbase over. I was able to do that with the Yankees, but I haven’t done anything here with the Mets”

J.D. Davis Excited to Still Be a Met

After we heard from Mets hitting coach Chili Davis, one of the young sluggers in his lineup entered the Zoom room to talk about where he is at during spring training.

J.D. Davis was first asked about the return of Chili and it was clear how important it was to get his hitting coach back in person. Davis really thrives off getting feedback from Chili, especially during games and in between at-bats, which he obviously didn’t have last season.

As things stand, Davis appears to be the favorite to become the Mets starting third baseman this season and his work in camp thus far reflects that. Unlike last year, Davis is working solely at third base and is no longer spending much time out in left field.

Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The Mets will surely keep his positional flexibility open, but for now the goal seems to be to focus on improving his defense at third base. Davis believes that having Francisco Lindor next to him will certainly help in that department, as he talked about the added confidence of having him to his left this year.

Davis also explained how Lindor’s work ethic is contagious, because if someone that accomplished is spending that much time perfecting their craft, what’s everyone else’s excuse not to do the same?

With games on the horizon very soon, Davis’ role with the Mets is more established than it had previously been this offseason, where he was subject of a lot of trade rumors.

Davis addressed those rumors, explaining that baseball is a business and he treats it as such. With that being said, he is happy to still be with the Mets.

Of all the players that have something to prove this spring training, Davis is certainly atop the list. If he can prove to be a capable defender at third, it will become a lot harder to take his name out of lineup.

News and Notes Out of Camp

  • Rojas expects Carlos Carrasco in camp by the end this week.
  • Noah Syndergaard threw a side today, Rojas called him a monster. Said his work ethic has been amazing and his mechanics look great right now. The Mets will keep him to bullpens for now, as he is still not cleared to face live batters just yet.
  • Chili Davis has received his first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.

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With the arrival of Dominic Smith and press conferences from Dellin Betances, Chili Davis, J.D. Davis and of course Luis Rojas, it was another busy day of Mets baseball in Port St. Lucie.

We will continue to keep you posted with all the breaking news and stories coming out of Mets camp here at Metsmerized. Stay tuned!