C. Young believes in strong defensive outfield

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- No matter which position he ends up playing, Chris Young believes he can be part of an elite defensive outfield in New York.

"I think we can be one of the best in baseball in the outfield," Young said on Monday after reporting to Mets camp several days early. "You're talking about guys with a lot of experience out there, a lot of speed, guys with good arms. Hopefully, we can get on the good side of our pitchers. Hopefully, they'll love us out there because we're going to be busting our butts. Anything that goes in the air will come down in our gloves."

Most likely, Young will wind up in his natural position of center field, with Eric Young in left and Curtis Granderson in right. But if Juan Lagares plays well this spring, he could start in center, with Granderson moving to left field, Chris Young to right and Eric Young to the bench.

That much will all play out over the next six weeks. For Chris Young personally, a fresh start in New York means "a lot more exposure" after seven up-and-down seasons in Arizona and one in Oakland.

"But I like that," Young said. "I've been waiting for an opportunity like this my whole life. I loved Arizona. I loved Oakland. But this is different. It's a different type of opportunity for me personally. This is my first time being on the East Coast, being able to play East Coast baseball.

"It just feels like a different brand of baseball from what I'm used to. It's tough to explain. It just feels different coming from smaller markets on the West Coast to a larger market on the East Coast."