Sandy Alderson a big fan of new dimensions at Citi Field

In reconfiguring Citi Field for the second time since it opened in 2009, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson aimed for a venue that could be called "fair" and "noncontroversial."

"We don't want it to be a topic of conversation every time we come back from playing the Yankees," Alderson said of the Mets' once spacious home field, long the subject of grousing both in and out of the clubhouse.

The Mets found their solution by turning back the clock, reducing Citi Field's daunting rightfield so the park would more closely resemble old Shea Stadium.

"Simply eliminating all the conversation about the ballpark and its dimensions were a part of it," Alderson said Tuesday, when the team officially unveiled the changes.

Though not as drastic as the adjustments following the 2011 season, the latest round of tweaks focused primarily on making rightfield cozier to help lefthanded hitters. The new fences stand anywhere from 3 to 11 feet closer to home plate, with the biggest difference in right-centerfield.

The deepest part of right-center has been reduced from 390 feet to 380, and the area next to the old "Mo Zone" in right has been cut from 375 feet to 370.

Even with the changes, Citi Field is still deeper in rightfield than in left, which was reduced in 2011 to roughly echo the dimensions at Shea Stadium.

Still, the Mets believe the added benefit of a more homer-friendly environment is worthwhile, especially because their young arms have healthy strikeout and ground-ball rates that should keep them from being burned by the changes. The Mets calculated they would have hit 17 more homers last season with the new dimensions compared to 10 more for opposing hitters. Lefties would have been the biggest beneficiaries.

Outfielder Curtis Granderson could have the most to gain. In the first year of a four-year, $60-million deal, Granderson hit .227 with 20 homers, a clear drop-off from his best years with the Yankees. But according to a video review, Alderson said Granderson would have added nine homers to his total had he played his home games in a cozier Citi Field.

The Royals and Giants reached the World Series this season playing in pitcher-friendly home fields, and with a reliance on defense and speed over slugging. But Alderson said the home run -- and hitting more of them than opponents -- remains a key for future success.

"If you looked at them during the regular season, I think they represent less of a trend," Alderson said. "And obviously, Giancarlo Stanton is worth $325 million over the next so many years, it sort of proves the point that as something becomes more rare, it becomes more valuable. They're not paying him for stolen bases."

To Alderson, seizing the advantage in home-run differential is key to turning around the team's struggles at home. They finished 40-41 in Flushing last season, an improvement over past years, though still a losing record.

At Citi Field, opponents outhomered the Mets 71-59.

"We want to change that," Alderson said. "And we think we can change it with personnel and to some extent from these changes in dimensions, without really adversely affecting much of our pitching."

For now, the Mets have yet to determine what to do with the extra space created by moving in the fences. But chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon said logistical challenges stand in the way.

For instance, there isn't enough room to add a lift to the new seating area, a requirement under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

"We'd love to do it but it's not really possible," Wilpon said. "The amount of space is not really in a good spot."