These Mets Are a Result of GM Phillips’ Offseason Moves

His ability to construct a winning outfit shows on the field each day. Every piece, chosen with pride and care, provides the perfect touch. The shirts and ties, colors and patterns, blend together to make a statement.

Steve Phillips dresses to the nines. It’s his trademark.

Now, maybe another reputation is in the works. Phillips’ job is to pick out the right players, and with the Mets’ record finally reflecting their payroll, the general manager has built a working ensemble.

Most of the players hand-picked by Phillips are matching like stripes and solids. There’s youth and experience, hitting with pitching, defense with offense. The Mets have flaws, but none that’ll prevent them from pushing the Braves for first place. Their everyday lineup compares to any in the National League. They haven’t looked this complete in years. Maybe a decade.

Phillips tried to design the Mets after the Yankees, not the Braves. But as a result of securing deep talent, the Mets are closer to Atlanta than ever before.

“We realized we probably weren’t going to match the Braves’ starting pitching, no matter what we did,” Phillips said. “Therefore, in the other aspects of the game, like offense, team defense and the bullpen, we had to try and strengthen ourselves.”

Their personality changed overnight. After winning 88 games last season on pitching, they’re now winning with balance. There is speed and depth in the batting order. The improvement isn’t just on offense. The infield defense now rates among the best.

Phillips even fired three of Bobby Valentine’s coaches. Nearly two months later, he can justify getting his hands bloody.

If the Mets collapse in the clutch like last fall and fail to take advantage of this turnaround, it’ll reflect poorly on Valentine, still a wannabe first-time playoff manager. Should they proceed forward, it’ll validate Phillips as a sharp, 36-year-old GM. That’s what the owners thought they were getting two years ago when they placed their wallets and team in the hands of Doogie Howser.

He spent Nelson Doubleday and Fred Wilpon’s $78 million wisely. It’s easy to toss money around today in baseball; just ask the Orioles. It’s just as easy to waste it; again, see the Orioles. Retaining Mike Piazza was the work of star-struck owners who gave the catcher an offer he couldn’t refuse. Securing Robin Ventura, Rickey Henderson and Orel Hershiser, all key newcomers, was all Phillips.

Ventura helped on two counts: He gave the Mets a slugging third baseman and made it possible for Edgardo Alfonzo to move to second base. With mostly ground-ball pitchers on staff, the Mets have the ideal infield defensive combination and are the team with the fewest errors in the National League.

“Our owners trusted us to make decisions with their money,” Phillips said. “You make your best evaluation and make the deal you think is right. The three guys we focused on last winter were Brian Jordan, Robin and B.J. Surhoff. All three are having great years, so we would’ve come out ahead either way we went.”

Last week, Phillips dared to bring Kenny Rogers back to New York. He was a $20-million Bronx bust a few years ago and showed all the symptoms of someone who couldn’t take the big-city pressure. But in his Mets debut at Shea Wednesday, his first step toward a new life was both pleasant and painful. Although he threw strikes and held the Pirates to one run and one hit through six innings, Rogers aggravated his sore right hamstring.

A more critical move by Phillips was getting something for a broken-down catcher. Todd Hundley fetched Roger Cedeno and Armando Benitez. Along with Henderson, Cedeno brought speed to a slow-footed team that stole just 66 bases last season. Cedeno, a pleasant surprise, already has 52 steals.