SNY analyst Ron Darling talks about what he’s looking forward to in spring training, which Mets team he was on that reminds him of this year’s group and one move he’s disappointed in with The Post’s Justin Terranova.
Q: What will you be looking for when you get down to Port St. Lucie?
A: I spend less time with the major league guys because there’s no reason for me to scout them. I spend most of my time on the minor league side with guys like [Zack] Wheeler and [Travis] d’Arnaud. … So that way when they do come up I’ll know who they are, their games and how much they’ve improved over the course of the year.
Q: Do you think there’s pressure on the team to call up guys like d’Arnaud and Wheeler early?
A: I think it’s sexy to want those players in uniform, but really the true fan wants them to be ready when they come. No one wants to see a young person fail. D’Arnaud didn’t play some of last year because of an injury. Is Wheeler ready? He probably is. Is he ready to be great? Maybe not yet. I think [Triple-A] Las Vegas will be a real test for him where the ball flies.
Q: What are the realistic expectations for this team?
A: I harken back to 1984 when a lot of pieces came together. The Mets acquired [Keith] Hernandez in ’83, they had [Darryl] Strawberry on that team, but they were an also-ran team. Then in ’84 there were no expectations and that team won 90 games. … This year, there’s a lot of optimism, at least to me. How many wins can that be? They’d be hard-pressed to get 90, but they are moving in such a positive direction that I’m excited to call the games and watch these guys mature.
Q: Any concern with Terry Collins being in the final year of his contract?
A: There’s a part of me that’s disappointed not knowing that he’s going to be here because he does everything you are supposed to do as a New York manager. He inspires, he’s feisty, he’s a workaholic. He deals with us that are there every day with such a polite manner that you want to see guys like that around forever. It would be great if the Mets moving forward would have that stability in the managerial position.
Q: Can that affect the players?
A: If the manager doesn’t take the high road, but Terry has certainly taken the highest road. Players don’t think about that kind of thing, and if they get off to a great start it could be a real boost if the manager gets [an extension] midseason.