PORT ST. LUCIE – Carlos Beltran is smiling a lot more this spring, and with good reason.

The veteran center fielder feels dramatically healthier than he did this time last year, when he was slowed by offseason surgery on both knees.

Beltran said he is “200 percent better” this year, which is promising news for the Amazin’s considering he still managed to play 161 games last season, hitting .284 with 27 homers and 112 RBIs.

The sky is the limit for a pain-free Beltran, as far as manager Jerry Manuel is concerned.

“I do think that he is a guy among those core guys [on the Mets’ roster] that can easily be considered a guy to be the MVP of the league at some point,” Manuel said. “I really think this is his time.”

Beltran remains sensitive to the long-running criticism that he is too passive, doesn’t provide any visible leadership and is more content to toil in the shadows as a complementary player.

A question about Beltran’s perceived lack of leadership received a terse response.

“One guy cannot do it all,” he said.

Beltran, though, admitted that more is expected from a player with a seven-year, $119 million contract like the one the Mets showered on him in 2005.

Beltran, who said he is “very shocked” the Mets haven’t won a World Series since his arrival, intends to live up to those lofty expectations this season.

“This year is a new year for us, with the acquisitions we made in the offseason,” he said. “We’re very confident and very positive that it’s going to turn out to be a great year for us.”

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The Mets are bringing back relief great John Franco as a guest pitching instructor for one week next month. They also will use him in a marketing role and will have him do some commentary work for SNY during the season.

Franco, a Brooklyn native who spent 14 prolific years with the Mets before a somewhat messy exit after the 2004 season, said he “felt the itch” after being out of the game for the past four years and would like to coach or manage eventually.

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Manuel said all his position players will have to endure the rigorous new 80-pitch hitting drill three times each this week. Several players had noticeable blisters on their hands after going through the endurance test. . . . Top prospect Fernando Martinez (strained elbow) is allowed to hit but is still a week or so away from being cleared to take part in all baseball activities.