Todd Zeile performed Santa Claus, and Reed Garrett, wearing inexperienced and purple velvet, was by his aspect as a useful elf at Citi Area, the place the Mets hosted greater than 125 Queens college students for his or her annual Youngsters Vacation Celebration.
After all, Steve and Alex Cohen have already got accomplished their greatest Santa impression this winter in gifting Mets followers Juan Soto.
The shock, feel-good membership that sang its method into followers’ hearts and the NLCS final season is gone.
The Mets have entered the realm of anticipating deep runs into October.
“Steve and Alex, with what they’ve done to show that we’re committed to win,” Garrett mentioned Thursday, “I feel that we took the proper steps ahead final 12 months, and this 12 months there’s going to be somewhat bit larger expectations.
“But I think bringing Juan in, it shows that we’re ready for it.”
Garrett has not confronted Soto however has performed with him, the 2 overlapping briefly in Washington in 2022.
The Mets reliever mentioned Soto is a superb clubhouse addition who “leads by example.”
He will probably be a greater on-field addition, Soto in all probability hitting second within the lineup coming off a superb season and postseason that introduced the Yankees three wins shy of a World Sequence title.
“He’s a great player. I’m glad we don’t have to pitch to him anymore,” mentioned Garrett, who gave out items to the youngsters. “I think he’s an anchor for our team, and he’s going to be somebody who can change a game by himself. And I think he’s just truly an unbelievable talent.”
Garrett has not but chatted with Soto.
He and many of the remainder of the Mets are laying low throughout the offseason, Garrett bummed that his and David Peterson’s shared fantasy soccer workforce has been eradicated from the workforce’s league.
However he’s having fun with an offseason that he has entered as a confirmed commodity.
Final winter, the righty reliever held on the Mets’ 40-man roster for everything of the offseason, his first time as a significant leaguer through which he didn’t change groups or signal as a free agent.
The Mets believed in an arm that then broke out in 2024, when Garrett completed with a 3.77 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 57 ¹/₃ innings.
A Mets bullpen that has watched Adam Ottavino, Phil Maton, Ryne Stanek, Brooks Raley and Drew Smith hit free company will probably be totally different subsequent season.
Garrett, a four-year main leaguer who didn’t style success till final season, will probably be again with a major function.
“I finally got to the right place at the right time, and I’m just glad to be here,” mentioned Garrett, who was taking his son to his basketball sport in Virginia then chatted with a household in Mets caps. “It’s somewhat bit totally different. Some individuals acknowledged me out in public this 12 months. I acquired to sort of get somewhat bit extra used to that, sort of catches you off guard.
“But I’m excited for 2025.”
