Photo by James Farrance

The New York Mets headed over from Sarasota, Florida to Syracuse, New York on Tuesday, largely as a promotional event for their new minor league affiliate.

However, with so many players, coaches, and executives present there was bound to be some topics worth discussing. So, here are my top five.

Kyle Dowdy vs. Tim Peterson

Early on at the event, it became abundantly clear that someone was missing and wasn’t even listed on the itinerary with all the players’ names on it. Kyle Dowdy.

The right-hander was nowhere to be found, while Tim Peterson was seen throwing on the makeshift mound the team prepared that “did not require a grounds crew,” which Mickey Callaway was enamored with in the press room.

Dowdy, 26, was claimed by the Texas Rangers later on in the day, likely meaning he was told earlier in the day or yesterday that he was not making the team. In six Spring Training appearances, he went registered a 5.56 ERA, 1.94 WHIP, and seven strikeouts in 11 1/3 innings. The Mets had selected him in the Rule V Draft back at the Winter Meetings.

Peterson, 28, had a 4.35 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and nine strikeouts in 10 1/3 innings pitched. He appears to have won the final spot in the bullpen and can be seen pitching below.

Everyone Has Only One Goal: Go For the Title

Unsurprisingly, this team is looking to get a ring, which is nothing special in the slightest. What was interesting to note, though, was that everyone responded with a similar answer when asked about their personal goals.

Keon Broxton said that his was to “make the playoffs” while Dominic Smith went on to say that he is looking to “help the team win ball games. Playing in October…that’s the whole team’s consensus right now.”

Brodie Van Wagenen did nothing to temper those expectations either, expressing the same optimism and aggressiveness that made him a fan favorite early on this offseason.

“We’re going to win a championship. We’re going to win now and we’re going to win in the future.”

Photo by James Farrance

Syndergaard Was Not Nearly As Upset as Portrayed

On Sunday, Noah Syndergaard spoke with the media and gave off the impression that he was quite annoyed about the Mets were holding a workout in Syracuse a day after playing in Sarasota with Opening Day looming on Thursday. He even went as far as to say “that’s not what championship teams do.”

However, he was all smiles and fun at The Dome today, being the first pitcher to take the mound and even running around the perimeter of the turf with a Syracuse University flag with Mickey Callaway joking that “he certainly got his cardio in” and noting that he never had to speak to Syndergaard about his comments on Sunday.

Side note: he’s a lot bigger in person.

Jed Lowrie is Traveling With the Team

One person who was in Syracuse on Tuesday that surprised everyone was Jed Lowrie, who has missed the entirety of Spring Training with a left capsule sprain in his left knee.

The infielder was seen taking ground balls which he had only recently started doing at Port St. Lucie in his recovery that has put him in position to miss regular season games. However, Todd Frazier (oblique injury) was not present.

Lowrie, 34, signed a two-year, $20 million contract this offseason in January with the expectation he would play every day and mostly play third base.

Players Love Having Triple-A Team in Syracuse

Unsurprisingly, the question about the Mets now having their Triple-A affiliate in Syracuse was brought up to basically anyone who took questions at The Dome.

There seemed to be unanimous praise for the move. When asked about the benefits of having a Triple-A team in Syracuse, Callaway went onto list out the following benefits.

“The rest. The recovery. The ability to get a player when we need one, last minute, is big because a lot of times we’ll have guys come in that, if they get banged up before or we’re not quite sure if they’re going to be able to play or we have to put them on IL is big. Having an affiliate so close really helps us win games.”

Callaway then expanded into talking about having a New York fanbase rooting for a New York Mets minor league affiliate, which they did not have in the past when in Las Vegas.

“We’re going to have New Yorkers cheering on the New York Mets in several places, now, in the minor leagues and that just further prepares these guys for the amazing fans at Citi Field every night.”

Dominic Smith pointed out that the familiarity with upstate New York also helps out big time in this regard for the team.

Brandon Nimmo added his thoughts on it as well, which can be heard in the audio clip below.