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Phil Maton spent plenty of time in the Citi Field outfield Thursday afternoon, when countless Mets players and coaches came over to hug and talk with their former teammate.
The Mets’ front office would be forgiven if it were less enthusiastic to see him.
Maton, now a Cardinal, said he heard once from the Mets this offseason — in early November, when president of baseball operations David Stearns called to inform him the club was declining his 2025 option worth $7.75 million.
Maton said he wasn’t sure if he was surprised by the team’s decision but “obviously disappointed about it,” he added. “It is what it is.”