Just Mets

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Over the past half-decade, Mets principal owner Fred Wilpon has made himself exceedingly scarce in public settings. And while Wilpon continues to avoid interview requests on a regular basis, he has become a more visible presence at Mets camp, frequently meeting with manager Terry Collins before and after games.

That manifested itself in a different way early Monday morning, when Wilpon gathered everyone in big league camp for his first closed-door meeting with players in years. One player described the meeting as exceedingly positive and “very, very genuine,” saying Wilpon expressed to the players how badly he wants to win.

“Fred’s always been upbeat,” third baseman David Wright said. “I’d say that the vast majority of conversations that I’ve ever had with Mr. Wilpon have been very upbeat, so nothing different.”

Wilpon, who has not spoken on record in over two years, declined comment on…