Amidst trade rumors surrounding the talented lefty, Jonathon Niese showed up with a smile to the Mets Kids’ Holiday Party. He said he feels good and is eager for spring training to begin. Though it’s unlikely the Mets trade Niese, he said it’s a matter in which he has no control. “Obviously, it’s not my decision where I pitch,” he said. “I’m sure I’ll stay here with the Mets, and I’m looking forward to it.” [...]

Daniel Murphy spread the holiday cheer by donning the big red suit as Santa Claus for the Mets Kids’ Holiday Party at Citi Field. He joked that he hopes everyone doesn’t think he’s a better Santa Claus than a baseball player. Most importantly, Murphy said that both his knees are feeling good in anticipation for spring training. “I’m done with my rehab, and now we’re really into the strengthening phase,” he said. “I always have [...]

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson made an appearance at the Mets Kids’ Holiday Party, and he talked about a medley of issues surrounding the team. First, he spoke about the new changes to the outfield wall at Citi Field. He said that it wasn’t one particular event that sparked the change, but that the constant “consternation and criticism” triggered the decision. The team recognized that they had the power to make a change and went [...]

Is that super-utility man Mark DeRosa on the Mets’ 2012 roster? No, just our own versatile version: Justin Turner. Turner burst onto the scene in 2011 and was an RBI machine in his first extended big league action. But even so, Turner said at the Kids’ Holiday Party that he’s not taking anything for granted in anticipation of this season. “I’m still going to go in there, just like I did last year, to win [...]