PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- In a recent sit-down with MLB.com at Clover Park, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza discussed a wide range of topics from his father's advice to how good the Mets will be in 2024.

MLB.com: On Sunday, your father came from Venezuela to watch you manage the Mets for the first time. What was his reaction when he saw you do your thing against the Tigers?

Carlos Mendoza: It was a special day for the family. We’ve been through a lot -- me as a player, not getting that opportunity to play in the big leagues. Then starting a coaching career and then finally getting an opportunity to manage [a big league team] for the first time. To have him sitting in the stands and watching me lead a team -- even though it was a Spring Training game -- it was a special day for all of us. My mom was there, too. My wife and kids were also in attendance.

I remember the days when my dad used to take me to the back fields when I was 3 or 4 years old. We got back to the house [on Sunday night] and he was like, “Man, it paid off.” It was pretty neat.

MLB.com: Did he cry?

Mendoza: He did. He had tears, especially with all the attention he was getting. He is not used to it. It kind of hit home with him. A lot of people are calling him, texting him, and saying how proud they are. It was a special day.

MLB.com: What was the biggest thing he taught you in terms of baseball or life?

Mendoza: The biggest thing in life he taught me was having respect. Not only making sure you respect yourself, but people. Treat everyone the same way you want to be treated. Be humble. He told me, “In life, nothing is going to be easy. You really have to work hard. You are going to get knocked down and you have to be able to get back up and fight.” When I became a professional baseball player, going through the ups and downs, my dad was the one who kept pushing me. "You have to keep going, keep fighting. Nothing in life is going to be easy." That’s the biggest advice I ever received.

MLB.com: What does your father think of the Mets?

Mendoza: We have a good team. For real. He was like, “Man, I’m watching that team. I’m looking at some of the names, and you have a good team.” I said, “Yeah, we have a good team.”

MLB.com: When we talk about your father, I can’t help but think about Mark Newman, the former Yankees executive. You credited him for where you are now. Do you think about him?

Mendoza: I do think about him a lot, because he was the first guy who saw my potential as a coach. When I was a player, he was the first one to approach me and asked, “Would you consider being a coach?”

Every so often, we would talk about preparation, attention to detail and relationships. That’s all Mark Newman.

MLB.com: If Mark Newman were alive, what would he say to you today?

Mendoza: "I’m so proud of you, Carlos." After my first year of managing in professional baseball, he told me, “I know you are going to manage in the big leagues one day.” I wish he was alive, but I know he is watching and I know he is proud.

MLB.com: There are baseball people checking on you. Dusty Baker came to see you recently. What did that mean to you?

Mendoza: It means a lot. When I was a young player coming up through the system with the Giants, I came up to big league camp for a few years. He treated me the right way. He taught me a lot about how to go about my business -- how to fight. How to work. This was a guy who was a pretty famous manager already at the time. We are talking about the 1990s. Not only did he care about the big league players, but Minor League players as well. It went a long way with me. After that, we kept in touch.

MLB.com: Opening Day isn’t too far away. What do you think about this Mets team, and what is your biggest concern?

Mendoza: We have a good team. I like how camp is going. We have good players. I love how they are going about their business, how they are preparing. The conversations, relationships and connections [are impressive]. What keeps me up? Every manager is going to say this: … We have to stay healthy. As you say, Opening Day is around the corner and it’s important for us to stay healthy.

MLB.com: Edwin Díaz is healthy now. I think he will make a difference to the team. What do you think?

Mendoza: Huge. … He is a game-changer. Managing a game when you know you have him ready to go in the ninth inning is a good feeling. I’m really excited to watch him pitch.

MLB.com: A lot of baseball experts think the Mets are not going to do much this year. Tell me why you feel differently.

Mendoza: We have talent. We have depth. We have good players. We do feel good about our team. We have a very good group of position players. I like our pitching staff. Even without Kodai Senga, the guys are stepping up. I like our bullpen. I like our chances.

MLB.com: How much will the Minor League system help the Major League side this year?

Mendoza: You are going to need all of them. When you get to 162 games, you are going to rely on your depth, you have to rely on your Minor League system. It’s important to have those pieces. I’m expecting those guys to come up and contribute to the big league side. We saw a lot of those kids that were here early in camp. They are now down in Triple-A to continue their development. I’m sure we’ll see a lot of them.

MLB.com: Of those Minor Leaguers, who impressed you?

Mendoza: All of them. I’ll mention Drew Gilbert, Jett Williams, Luisangel Acuña. From the pitching side, Nate Lavender has been really impressive. This is a guy who is not afraid. He has conviction.

MLB.com: Who has pleasantly surprised you in camp?

Mendoza: All of them. I like what [Francisco] Alvarez is doing -- watching him go about his business day in and day out and having results. [I like] how much he has invested in the pitching staff. He cares about the pitchers and having those conversations. It has been fun to watch him prepare. He wants to make sure the pitchers are comfortable with him behind the plate. He wants to let them know that he is prepared because of the way he is doing his homework. It goes a long way.

MLB.com: Final question: Do you care to make a prediction about the Mets?

Mendoza: There is going to be good competition, but I know we are going to be good.