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Good Morning everyone. The boys are back in town as the full squad arrived in Port St. Lucie over the weekend. General Manager, Sandy Alderson spoke with the media on Sunday advising that the organization is “all-in” as they ready for battle in the 2017 season.

“We’re all in here,” Alderson said. “I think it’s a credit to ownership that our payroll is as high as it is now given where we had been as recently as two years ago and where our budget might have been.”

With a payroll at roughly $152 million entering the season, Alderson hints that there is even room for growth if it becomes necessary. Confidence seems to be at an all-time high for this club with much optimism to be had.

Mets manager, Terry Collins believes his team should have a bit of swagger while competing this season. “What these guys did to persevere through all the tough times, all the adversity, all the injuries, all the doubters, all the things that happen, they better walk around with their heads up,” Collins said. “They better have a little swagger, they better talk winning, they better play like they are going to win, they better act like they are going to win.”

LATEST METS NEWS

Mets pitcher, Zack Wheeler aimed to calm some fears on Sunday as he threw his first bullpen session since feeling tenderness in his elbow this past week. As the team looks to handle Wheeler in the most delicate of ways, General Manager, Sandy Alderson does not yet project if he may start the season in the bullpen or the starting rotation. “I see it playing out,” Alderson said. “That’s really what we have to do, is watch and see what transpires over the next several weeks. The first and foremost thing is he’s got to be healthy.” Read more from columnist Mike Puma in the NY Post and John Harper in the NY Daily News.

Shortstop, Asdrubal Cabrera is excited that the Mets kept their team intact this past offseason with the re-signing of Yoenis Cespedes and his partner up the middle, Neil Walker accepting a qualifying offer to stay in Queens. “It’s good,” Cabrera said. “To have Cespedes back, he changes the lineup. To have Neil Walker back and healthy. That we’ve all played together is going to let us just go out and play this year.” Read more from columnist Kristie Ackert in the NY Daily News.

Yoenis Cespedes is known to be somewhat of an eccentric player who may beat to his own drum at times. Ken Davidoff of the NY Post writes on the support system that exists within the Mets clubhouse that keeps the star outfielder in check when needed. Manager, Terry Collins spoke on the subject this weekend. “If there are two guys who keep [Cespedes] focused a little bit, it’s those two guys,” Collins said of Reyes and Cabrera. “Because they are both no-nonsense players and people. They play the game the right way. They get ready to play. They want to play every day. And they’re in Yoenis’ ear all the time.”

NL EAST RUMBLINGS

Washington Nationals left-fielder, Jayson Werth reflects on his time with the team as he enters the seventh and final season of his contract. Werth advises that up to this point he cannot consider his time with the Nats to be a success due to the team’s shortcomings in the postseason. “I want nothing more for these guys in here and the city to experience what it’s like for a team to win the World Series,” Werth said. “And I still have that opportunity.”  Read more from columnist Chelsea Janes in the Washington Post.

As the Philadelphia Phillies have moved on from first baseman, Ryan Howard, the team turns to Tommy Joseph to fill the void that he leaves behind. Although Joseph is being handed the starting job at first base in a full-time role, manager Pete Mackanin does not want him getting complacent. “Tommy’s got some issues he’s got to take care of,” Mackanin said. “It’s like any other hitter — the better you learn the strike zone, the more at-bats you don’t give away.” Read more over on USA Today.

The Miami Marlins will enter the upcoming season still with heavy hearts due to the tragic loss of teammate, Jose Fernandez in 2016. Don Mattingly advised his troops to play the game like Fernandez did, with great passion. Infielder, Derek Dietrich reiterated the moving speech that his manager provided before the first full squad workout. ““He talked about keeping the passion and energy in the backs of our minds as we go out and play,” Dietrich said. “That’s the one thing we appreciated and loved most about him, was how hard he played and the energy and passion he brought every single day. It was unmatched. Read more from columnist Clark Spencer in the Miami Herald

AROUND THE MAJORS

The seeming rift between Dellin Betances and the New York Yankees continues to grow as the relief pitcher was not done speaking on the current situation between himself and team president, Randy Levine regarding their arbitration-related issue.  “I don’t feel I need to speak to him, I don’t know how [the Yankees] feel,’’ Betances said. “I am just going to try and prepare for the season and help the team as much as I can.’’ Read more from columnist George A. King III in the NY Post.

Executive director of the Major League Players Association, Tony Clark does not foresee any rules changes to come at this time other than a tweaking of the intentional walk. “There has been so much dialogue the last few years,’’ Clark said, “that changing or making adjustment is becoming more challenging when taking into account the industry as a whole and how it’s doing.” Read more from columnist Bob Nightengale in USA Today.

RECENTLY ON MMO

Howard Gardos reviews the curse of the Mets’ opening day starter.

Joe D runs his latest inclination of “So You Think You Know The Mets.”

Over at MetsMinors.net, Daniel Muras continues the countdown of the MMN top 100 prospects as they head to numbers 56-60.

TODAY IN METS HISTORY

On this day in 1969, Mets manager, Gil Hodges returns to the team for the first time just five months after he suffered a heart attack.

Mets players born on this day include, Livan Hernandez (42), Shane Spencer (45) and Phil Lombardi (54).

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