As someone who spent most of his career playing for teams on the lower end of the salary spectrum, Daniel Vogelbach appreciates what happened with the Mets this winter.
This offseason, team owner Steve Cohen approved an estimated $465 million in new contracts as the Mets look to compete for a World Series title next season.
“It shows that the Mets have it all,” Vogelbach said Tuesday at the Queens Boulevard Target, where he participated in the team’s holiday shopping spree benefiting Children in Need. “When you sign up to play a sport, you sign up to win, so you play. It’s nice to be part of a team that wants to win.
“You have the squad and you still have to play. It’s hard to win no matter what product you put out, but when you feel like you have ownership and front office support and they put out the best product to win as many games as possible if they try to live, that’s what you want. to be a part of.
Vogelbach, who arrived in a trade with the Pirates last July, picked up his team option after the season and is expected to form half of the platoon as a left-handed bat at DH. Last season, he had a .255/.393/.436 slash line with six homers and 25 RBI in 55 games for the Mets.
“I knew coming in here that was going to be my role, and I think the nature of the game is going in that direction,” Vogelbach said. “Unless you’re one of the guys like Francisco Lindor or one of the big-money guys, you’re going to platoon. If they give me a jersey to play and give me a chance, I’d appreciate it.
Vogelbach, who played for the Mariners and Brewers in addition to the Pirates, said he felt like he belonged with the Mets from the moment he arrived.
“It was very easy to get comfortable with the clubhouse and the players we have on this team,” Vogelbach said. “I’ve said it since I’ve been here: It’s the best clubhouse I’ve ever been in, and I don’t think it’s even close. When you have veterans who have played 10, 12, 15 years and they treat everybody the same, you know it’s a winning clubhouse and it’s easy to get into that kind of place.
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