He’s in Fat City

Mo Vaughn is in a New York state of mind, recharged by his bustling new surroundings and eager to reaffirm his star power.

The New York Met first baseman, who reported to spring training here Tuesday, is reveling in his good fortune, having been given a chance to revive his stagnant career in baseball’s marquee city. Vaughn quickly embraced the Big Apple after three demoralizing seasons with the Angels, saying he wasn’t suited for the laid-back Southland.

He returns to the field after sitting out last season because of a left arm injury, joining a club that underwent a radical off-season makeover and expects to win the National League East division. Vaughn is a big part of the Mets’ ambitious plan to unseat the Atlanta Braves, and that’s fine with him.

“Do I feel this team should win? Yes, I do,” said the burly, bearded Vaughn, appearing relaxed in his first spring session with a throng of reporters at the Met training complex. “I think everybody in the clubhouse should feel it too. You should feel pressure to play well, and that’s the pressure you put on yourself.

“This is a tremendous situation. If every individual does their thing as individuals, you can come together perfectly as a whole. You could have a great ballclub.”

The Mets are counting on Vaughn doing his part after they traded veteran starter Kevin Appier to the Angels on Dec. 27 for the 1995 American League most valuable player, gambling that he had recovered from surgery to repair a ruptured biceps tendon. Met General Manager Steve Phillips made many other major moves, shuffling the deck with blockbuster trades and free-agent signings, resulting in a roster that also includes All-Star second baseman Roberto Alomar, slugging outfielder Jeromy Burnitz, speedy leadoff batter Roger Cedeno and starters Shawn Estes and Pedro Astacio.

But players consider Vaughn the key new ingredient because of his left-handed power and reputation as a leader in the clubhouse.

“If we’re in the playoffs, chances are Mo Vaughn is going to have good numbers,” said All-Star catcher Mike Piazza, who might benefit most from Vaughn’s presence. “If Mo gets a hit to win a game one day, I want that to be me the next day. I think we’ll all be that way. I’m excited, but the humility part of the game will not allow me to make predictions.”

Neither will Vaughn, who is gradually regaining his batting form. He said his weight, an issue throughout his career, is not going to be a problem. Vaughn hopes to start the season at 260 pounds. He still needs to drop about 10.

“[Acquiring Vaughn was] risky, but I don’t think it’s any more risky than anybody else who has a year off and comes back to play,” Manager Bobby Valentine said. “I’ll be curious to see how he picks up at first.”

Vaughn still has high expectations.

“I know that if I’m a healthy ballplayer, and I go out there and get my 600 at-bats, I’m going to do my thing,” said Vaughn, who has hit at least 33 home runs in six of eight full seasons, including at least 40 twice.

“I did my thing unhealthy for two years, and I still was able to ring up some stuff with a lot of things on my mind. I know if I’ve got a clear mind, if I’m a happy player and healthy, there’s some great things that I can do.”

He rarely had clarity in Anaheim.

Vaughn was considered the final piece to an AL West championship when the Angels lured him to Edison Field with a six-year, $80-million deal, the biggest contract in team history, but things started badly and continued downhill. He slipped down the dugout steps in pursuit of a pop fly on opening night in 1999 and limped through most of a season marred by injuries and infighting.

He also came under fire from teammates for not participating in a brawl against the Cleveland Indians at Jacobs Field in August 1999. Vaughn said he knew he made a mistake in joining the Angels, and he made the best of it as long as he could.

Vaughn was born in Norwalk, Conn., attended college at Seton Hall in New Jersey and his off-season home is in Boston. Guess where he’s most comfortable.

“I had no animosity toward the Anaheim Angels,” he said. “They signed me as a free agent; it just didn’t seem to work out the right way there, that’s all. It was an opportunity to come back to the East Coast. Now, I’m right where I started as a kid. It just seems this is the proper situation.

“I can always thank them [the Angels] for being instrumental in trading me this way. I have no ill will toward them. I think the situation is just right here. I’m a professional, I’m going to play where I have to play, but this is the ultimate situation.”

Vaughn has put down roots in New York, moving to the trendy lower Manhattan neighborhood of TriBeCa. He’s determined to experience all the city has to offer.

“I’ll probably change my [permanent] residence to New York,” he said. “That’s the only way you can get the feel of where you are.”

Many wonder about the feeling in the Met clubhouse, what with so many high-profile veterans. Vaughn said it would only take a New York minute for the Mets to become one big family.

“Mike Piazza is a good guy. I don’t need two weeks to get to know him,” he said. “All I’ve got to do is sit with him to find out what’s going on with the individual. I sat with [reliever] John Franco and met his wife and his kid [in the off-season]. I also ran into [starter] Al Leiter. Roberto Alomar? I called him on the phone when [Vaughn was traded to the Mets]. He’s in Puerto Rico and we’re yelling back and forth. We’re happy. Let’s not make too much of it. We’re all good guys. You could tell that right away.

“No knocks on any other situation, but this is the first time I’ve ever been on a team where you could just throw out the balls [and play]. All Bobby Valentine has to do is just give the signs. We don’t need a damn conference to find out [about each other]. We don’t need to go on a retreat.”