PORT ST. LUCIE — Bo Bichette spent his first day of spring workouts listening intently Thursday as his manager offered tips about fielding his new position.
At third base on the main field, Bichette absorbed Carlos Mendoza’s words.
Later, Bichette faced Freddy Peralta in a live batting practice session, putting the Mets’ two biggest offseason acquisitions on display.
“I’m meeting a lot of new people and trying to figure out a new routine,” Bichette said. “But it’s honestly really exciting. It almost feels like my first season again.”
Bichette, in his transformation from shortstop to third base after arriving to the Mets on a three-year contract worth $126 million, worked out in front of Mendoza earlier this month.
But now camp is for real, and Bichette was sure to arrive ahead of next week’s reporting date for position players to get acclimated.
Mendoza’s messages to Bichette on this day focused on timing.
“Part of the transition, even when he’s just taking regular ground balls, is realizing how much time he has [to throw] compared to the shortstop position,” Mendoza said. “The ball is going to get to you a lot quicker — you have got more time. Those are some of the things, besides angles, it’s just a feel for the game clock.”
On the flip side, Bichette is learning he doesn’t have the luxury of as much time when starting a double play.
“You have to be quicker getting rid of the baseball,” Mendoza said. “You have got to give the second baseman a chance. Those are some of the conversations we are having out of the gate, and I am glad he’s here early so we can get that out of the way.”
What are Bichette’s early takeaways about the position?
“It’s more forward-to-back than side-to-side,” Bichette said. “Shortstop you definitely have to come in, but having more time at third base is something that I am getting used to — understanding that I can take a little more time.”
But Bichette isn’t ready to quantify his comfort level at third base.
“I am not sure I can put a number on that,” he said. “I haven’t played any games, so that is going to be my biggest hurdle, but I am excited for it.”
Bichette’s offensive potential is what appealed to the Mets.
Last season, he owned a .311/.357/.483 slash line with 18 homers and 94 RBIs in helping the Blue Jays reach Game 7 of the World Series.
The Mets, after missing on free agent Kyle Tucker (who landed with the Dodgers), snagged the 27-year-old Bichette as the rival Phillies were moving toward signing him.
Mendoza has indicated he is leaning toward batting Bichette third in the order, behind Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto.
“There’s a ton of really good players on this team, and I think you can line it up any way,” Bichette said. “But I have hit almost everywhere in my career, so I am ready for whatever.”
Bichette will help anchor a rebuilt infield that includes Jorge Polanco at first base and Marcus Semien at second. Lindor is returning to shortstop but will be absent from the Grapefruit League season as he rehabs from hamate bone surgery in his left hand.
Bichette said he’s spent much of his early time in camp around Polanco, another veteran who was early to report.
Just seeing Bichette in the batter’s box against the Mets’ ace, Peralta, was enough to raise Mendoza’s excitement level on this day.
“You get that kind of matchup, and OK, it’s real now,” Mendoza said. “Just the fact that they are getting ready for their season and they get to go out and do it themselves together.”
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