Via: John Flanigan, MMO

Good morning, Mets fans!

On Thursday, Samsung and the New York Mets unveiled the first plan of a multi-year partnership that involves numerous technological upgrades to Citi Field. Starting this season, Samsung has placed over 12,000 sq feet of new LED displays all around the ballpark, new ribbon boards, numerous LCD displays and much more. This is the first year of a two year technological upgrade to the ballpark which is meant to enhance the overall fan experience for games at Citi Field. You can read the full list of upgrades here.

Now onto the morning briefing!

Latest Mets News

Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports that Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom experienced a tight right shoulder yesterday. Nate Mendelson has more on this story.

Mets IF/OF Jeff McNeil had no issue giving up his number six to new teammate Starling Marte. Deesha Thosar of the NY Daily News tweets that McNeil initially wanted number one when called up in 2018, but was taken by then-shortstop Amed Rosario. Marte has promised that McNeil will have something coming his way for giving up number six, which McNeil is “pumped for what could be.”

Trevor May appeared on The Chris Rose Rotation Podcast and discussed the possible competition between Mets aces Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer.

Latest MLB News

Andy McCullough of The Athletic discusses how Yankees GM Brian Cashman thinks the current Yankees World Series drought should have an asterisk, in part due to the 2017 Astros sign stealing scandal.

Joe Trezza of MLB.com profiles Christie Wood, who is currently entering her 22nd season in video scouting for MLB draft operations.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today mentions trade talks between the San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates centered around all-star outfielder Bryan Reynolds. Other players mentioned in a possible trade are pitchers Ryan Weathers and Chris Paddack.

The Kansas City Royals have exercised the club option for the 2023 season for team manager Mike Matheny. The team also signed pitcher Justin Friedman to a minor league contract.

Former Mets reliever Tyler Bashlor has signed a minor league deal with the Minnesota Twins.

Jon Heyman of MLB.com reports that Major League Baseball and the players union in conjunction with Candy Digital will release 2022 NFT MLB Player card packs, which will have daily updated stats for each player. Featured are more than 700 major league players and will be first released on April 12th.

Corey Brock of The Athletic talks about the breakout summer of 2021 for former Met and current Mariners reliever Paul Sewald.

Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the Braves have granted the release of Brock Holt, after it was decided that he would not make the major league club.

Talking to USA Today, former Cardinals manager Mike Shildt talks to Bob Nightengale on his dismissal from the Cardinals and his new position as player development consultant for the San Diego Padres.

Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet reports that the Toronto Blue Jays have named Jose Berrios as their opening day starter.

Dustin Morse from the Minnesota Twins PR tweets that the team has named Joe Ryan their opening day starter. Ryan is the first rookie to start on opening day for the club since Tom Hall in 1969.

Greg Harvey of BaseballCloudUS tweets out a progressive timeline of cumulative win percentage for the 30 active franchises in celebration of opening day.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today tweets that the Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired infielder Josh VanMeter from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for pitcher Listher Sosa.

Latest on MMO

The latest episode of Get Metsmerized is live, as Mike and Sal chat with Brooklyn Cyclones bench coach Chris Newell.

John Sheridan discusses pitcher Colin Holderman‘s impressive camp showing so far.

On This Date in Mets History

1982: Then-Mets GM Frank Cashen traded 1979 All-Star Lee Mazzilli to the Texas Rangers for Ron Darling and Walt Terrell. Darling became a key piece of the 80’s Mets, while Terrell would be traded to Detroit for Howard Johnson. Both Johnson and Darling were key contributors to the 1986 World Series winning team, as well as Mazzilli, whom Cashen had re-signed in August of ’86.

Birthdays: Daniel Murphy (38), Willie Montanez (74)

Let’s go Mets!