PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla -- Spring Training has always been full of oddities, but the Mets' camp on Monday afternoon had a sighting few had ever witnessed.
In the Mets' conference room, seventh-year manager Terry Collins was smiling and cracking jokes.
Without having to worry yet about the summer's dog days or another year of injuries piling up, Collins could afford a grin or two. Following the team's morning workout, Collins briefly met with the media to discuss everything from the normal start-of-spring message to expectations regarding prospects.
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Here's everything you need to know about Mets camp on Monday.
• Collins had nothing but praise for top prospect Amed Rosario, who could potentially play a big role for the Mets in 2017. On the first pitch of his first batting session Sunday, Collins reported, Rosario hit a ball off the top of the batter's eye in center field.
Collins also called it a real "eye-catcher."
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• Those curious about seeing games with players in new positions -- Jay Bruce at first base, for example -- will be pleased to know Collins did confirm that the plan is to try players in new spots. "We're gonna try to move some guys around this spring, see what we have and what our options are."
Collins did clarify that experimenting with players in new positions will extend to the outfield as well. despite the "clog." This figures to include Jose Reyes, who was reported as being a center-field candidate this past week.
• Though Collins wants to get outfielder Michael Conforto at-bats against left-handers, he admitted that type of goal is harder in the spring because of planning ahead for matchups and how short the starters go. Collins implied that he not only plans to give Conforto a start or two against left-handed arms this spring, but he also mused sending the former first-rounder to Minor League camp to face off against the lefties there.