PORT ST. LUCIE — Terry Collins is looking for players who will believe — not bereave.
“We want to rebuild some confidence here, rebuild some swagger here,” the new Mets manager said yesterday in his state-of-the-team address. “I like our team a lot. Now I’ve got to teach them to believe in it.”
Collins declared an open competition at second base and in the starting rotation and bullpen. The Mets need Nos. 4 and 5 starting pitchers and have several relief jobs open.
The most intriguing battle could be at second base, where Daniel Murphy, Luis Castillo, Brad Emaus and Justin Turner are the main names in contention for the job. Murphy is learning the position after beginning last spring at first base and the previous year in left field.
Murphy’s case could be hurt by his inexperience.
“Defense is one of the fundamentals of the game,” Collins said. “I like our pitching staff, but I don’t think there are a lot of guys that are strikeout pitchers, so it’s going to talk about the importance of playing some defense.”
Though Castillo has worn the goat horns for most of the last three seasons, Collins hasn’t given up on him. Castillo is owed $6 million this season in the final year of his contract.
“Say what you want, but [Castillo] is still the hardest player in the National League to strike out,” Collins said. “That speaks a lot. If his legs are healthy, I think Louie is going to be a presence.”
Collins also must determine if Carlos Beltran is better suited for center field or right field. Beltran appeared overmatched in center last season after returning from arthroscopic knee surgery, but has the job to lose, according to Collins.
“When Beltran walks in here the first day [of camp], he’s the center fielder,” Collins said. “[GM] Sandy [Alderson] and I are going to sit down and feel out Carlos and come up with a game plan. But if Carlos comes in here and says ‘I think I’m healthy enough to play center field,’ then we’re going to put him out there and we can always make an adjustment as we go.”
If healthy, Chris Young and Chris Capuano are the frontrunners to claim the two open spots in the rotation, but Collins also will consider Dillon Gee and Oliver Perez. The manager expects Jenrry Mejia to begin the year at Triple-A, but the right-hander could make the Opening Day roster as a starter if he has a dominant Grapefruit League.
Tim Byrdak, Taylor Buchholz, Taylor Tankersley and Jason Isringhausen are among the new arrivals competing for bullpen jobs.
**Though Alderson hasn’t ruled out the possibility of opening contract negotiations with Jose Reyes
once the season begins, the shortstop would prefer to wait until after the season.
“During the season I want to focus on playing baseball and doing my job to help this team win,” Reyes said. “I prefer talking after the season because I am going to be a free agent.”
****Johan Santana
arrived at the Mets complex yesterday and will speak with reporters today. . . . Jason Isringhausen
was issued uniform No. 45. He wore No. 44 when he played for the Mets in the 1990s, but Jason Bay
has the number.