PORT ST. LUCIE — The seeds for Kai Correa’s arrival to the Mets were planted last season with the realization that defense needed to become a focus.

That determination was reached by president of baseball operations David Stearns, prompting an overhaul of the roster and coaching staff.

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Correa’s reputation as a defensive guru was so strong that he hadn’t even arrived home to Colorado last offseason — he was driving from Cleveland — when Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti called to inform him the Mets had requested permission to speak with him.

With the Guardians, the 37-year-old Correa was a major league field coordinator largely involved in game planning. Previously, he spent four seasons as the Giants bench coach. His admirers included Mets manager Carlos Mendoza.