When the MLB trade deadline closed in on 4 p.m. Monday, Todd Frazier had his eyes on a television when he received some surprising news.

The Texas Rangers traded Frazier and C Robinson Chirinos to the Mets for two players to be named later, a move that brought back a familiar face and veteran presence.

"I was very surprised," Frazier said. "We had five minutes left before the deadline. I was watching TV. We had an off day, flying to Houston that night. So yeah, I saw the GM of the Rangers called me, Jon Daniels, and he said, 'You got traded.' And lo and behold, I'm back here with the Mets. So it's a good surprise and didn't expect it, but at the same time, it's very good."

Frazier, 34, spent the previous two seasons with the Mets. In 248 games from 2018-19, Frazier slashed .233/.316/.418 with 39 home runs and 126 RBI.

The year prior, during a second-half run in 2017, Frazier played for the Yankees and slashed .222/.365/.423 with 11 home runs and 32 RBI through 66 games. A Toms River, N.J., native and former Rutgers star, Frazier approaches his latest homecoming by keeping the mindset simple.

"I wouldn't say 'seriously' -- it's something I like to have fun, I like to bring energy in a fun manner to guys," he said. "When we play, it's serious -- don't get me wrong -- but yeah, just (Tuesday), I was figuring, watching film and stuff that the Mets have been doing. I'm just here to provide whatever I can to help this team.

"So I'm not stepping on anybody's toes. I'm just going to be myself, like I've always been. I know most of the guys here. It was really exciting to see all these guys and everybody seems to be pretty excited, and we've got Robinson Chirinos and Miguel as well -- pitcher, Castro -- ready to rock. So I'm just going to be myself and whatever happens happens."

The Mets active roster includes INFs Pete Alonso, Robinson Cano, Andres Gimenez, Luis Guillorme, Jeff McNeil, Amed Rosario and Dominic Smith. J.D. Davis left the second game of Sunday's doubleheader against the Yankees with a hip injury after getting hit by a pitch vs. LHP Aroldis Chapman, but returned to action Tuesday.

Off the bench in the Mets' 9-5 loss to the Baltimore Orioles, Davis' ninth-inning pinch-hit appearance grounded out to 2B. As the Mets get Davis back up to speed, Frazier provides a corner option.

"No, I mean, it was real brief," Frazier said of his conversation with GM Brodie Van Wagenen. "I had Jon Daniels call me and said I got traded. It was a five-minute conversation, pretty much. And then I talked to Brodie right after and my agent, but business as usual, really.

"So ... if it was a different team I was getting traded to, I think it would be a different conversation, but we really didn't get into details. I told him I'm ready to go. Whatever the team wants me to do, it is what it is. So I'll just be ready to play every game. If not, I'll be ready to come in and pinch hit."

The Mets (15-21) enter Wednesday's 4:05 p.m. game against the Orioles (16-19) at Camden Yards in Baltimore on a five-game losing streak. Having been with the Mets during a second-half run, most recently 2019, a simple approach could lead the team back to another.

"A collective group coming together and collectively understanding that you're good, being positive, energy, like we talked about and focused and not really looking at the numbers, just understanding, 'Whatever I'm batting now, whatever I'm pitching now, who cares?' We need to win," Frazier said.

"So whether you go 0-for-4 or you give up that big hit as a pitcher but you come back and win the game, it doesn't matter anymore. You need to win at all costs, whether it's a wild pitch -- which we've seen before -- and stuff like that or what have you. We need to put Ws on the board and in a hurry."

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