Alejandro De Aza is just glad to be here
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Alejandro De Aza is a man in limbo.
He possesses skills that would bring him regular playing time, as he thought would be the case with the Mets. When he signed one-year, $5.75-million deal, the idea of bringing Yoenis Cespedes back to Queens appeared far-fetched at best.
Then, the unthinkable happened. Cespedes re-signed and De Aza found himself bumped out of a clear role. On his first day with his new team, De Aza made no waves about his lack of a role and his dim prospects for playing time.
“I’m just here to play baseball,” De Aza said. “There’s things we can’t control. We all have to play games and help the team to win games.”
De Aza, 31, was in line to start against righties in a centerfield platoon with Juan Lagares. But Cespedes will now play plenty of centerfield.
“Honestly, I don’t think about that,” said De Aza, who insisted he was not surprised by the move to bring in Cespedes.
De Aza hit .262 with seven homers and 35 RBIs last season with the Red Sox, Orioles and Giants.
“It wasn’t the best year but I hope this one’s better,” De Aza said. “As I always say, I don’t think about the past. I only put my mind on the future.”
While the Mets could trade De Aza before Opening Day, they feel no urgency to do so. Instead, he’ll serve as an insurance policy in case of injury.
Manager Terry Collins spoke with De Aza on Tuesday. Collins was still working for the Dodgers when they signed De Aza out of the Dominican Republic in 2001.
“It’s too early to tell,” Collins said. “He might have a big role on this team. You just don’t know.”
Extra bases
Jacob deGrom will throw a bullpen session on Wednesday. His throwing session was scrapped on Monday because of stiffness in his upper left leg. The righthander long tossed with no issues on Tuesday . . . OF Roger Bernadina could be late to camp. He has not yet reported because of visa issues . . . In recognition of the LGBT community, the Mets will host “Pride Night” on Aug. 13 against the Padres.
