PORT ST. LUCIE — Luke Voit waited for a major league opportunity with the Mets last season. When it didn’t arrive by early August, he opted out from his contract.
After determining that the Mets were his best chance for landing on a big-league roster this spring, Voit on Monday agreed to a minor league contract with the club.
The former Yankees first baseman figures into the right-handed DH mix in camp, where Mark Vientos is among the other options.
Voit, 33, appeared in 22 games for the Brewers last season before he was released in June.
After signing with the Mets, he never escaped Triple-A Syracuse, where he produced a 1.058 OPS in 37 games.
“It sucked,” Voit said, referring to the fact he was passed over for selection to the Mets’ major league roster. “I didn’t know what else I had to do at Triple-A, and I understood at that point they were selling [at the trade deadline] and they wanted to play all their young guys … and that is what other teams said too after I opted out.”
Voit said his examination of the landscape this spring indicated his best chance of avoiding a similar fate as last season within an organization was to sign with the Mets.
“I felt with the talks I had with my agent and the front office there definitely is the ability for me to make the team and get a chance to play,” Voit said. “I am not saying that I am going to get to play every day, but I am going to try to force my way into the lineup.”
The Mets last weekend brought a left-handed swinging first base/DH option to camp, signing Ji-Man Choi to a minor league contract.
Team owner Steve Cohen was conspicuous during workouts, standing on a perch behind the batting cage where he chatted with players and staff.
Cohen, who was seen speaking with Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil among others, didn’t take questions from reporters.
Position players began the initial full-squad workout of the spring with a base-running drill on the main field at Clover Park.
New third-base coach Mike Sarbaugh was in place as players raced from first-to-home.
Brandon Nimmo worked out after two days sidelined with a stomach ailment.