Good Morning everyone. New York Mets outfielder, Michael Conforto has an eye on reclaiming his status of being an everyday player for this team.
Conforto spoke with the media regarding what his offseason brought him as he prepared to battle for a spot on the 2017 Mets opening day roster by getting himself in better shape. “I just changed my habits a little bit, my diet and just started doing things a little bit more healthy, I guess. I stopped eating out so much and started making my own food, making sure I had meals for after my workouts and stuff. I had some intense workouts and I worked really hard this offseason.”
His work in the offseason has not gone unnoticed as manager, Terry Collins spoke of Conforto’s dedication. “When you come into camp in great shape, that immediately shows how dedicated you are to coming in and making an impact. He’s got himself in outstanding shape, he’s bound and determined to make this team and be the guy he was in 2015 and I wouldn’t put it past him.”
LATEST METS NEWS
Fernando Salas‘ return to the Mets sees him put into an immediate eighth-inning role with the anticipated suspension of Jeurys Familia and Addison Reed having to take over closing duties. Salas was more than happy when he heard the Metropolitans wanted to retain his services during the first free agency period of his career. Manager, Terry Collins spoke of Salas taking over the eighth inning to begin the season. “As of today he would be that guy, because he has done it before and he’s been successful at it,” Collins said. “As we have seen in the last couple of years, the big inning is the seventh inning. How can we piecemeal that to get to the eighth inning? How can we get to Addison and then Jeurys in the last couple of innings? Read more from columnist Mike Puma in the NY Post.
Former New York Mets pitcher, Anthony Young who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor received some good news. Young treated with chemotherapy and radiation treatment for two months and has been progressing well. “I’m doing great,” Young said. “I never got sick behind it, I drove myself every day to chemo, I never missed a day of work. … I had an MRI the other day, and the tumor actually shrunk some.” Read more from columnist Hannah Withiam in the NY Post.
The New York Mets and New York Yankees are home to two of the biggest shortstop prospects in the game today. Ken Davidoff of the NY Post spoke with 10 talent evaluators to see who they believed may be the better player, Amed Rosario or Gleyber Torres? The consensus is that both players have their perks and have the abilities to be great. “I’d take either,” the talent evaluator said. “Both guys are studs. Gleyber has huge instincts. Unique feel for the game. Slows the game down on both sides of the ball. Rosario is physically gifted, beautiful hands, strong and powerful.” Overall, Torres edged out Rosario by a 5-4 vote with one evaluator unable to commit to choosing.
NL EAST RUMBLINGS
The Philadelphia Phillies all but announced who they believed will be their opening day starter for the 2017 season. Jeremy Hellickson should be the man to get the ball to open the season for the second consecutive year as hinted to by manager, Pete Mackanin. “Let’s put it this way: He’s probably got the best chance to be our opening-day starter,” Mackanin said. “I’m not going to definitely announce it. Anything could happen during the spring. But he was [the opening-day pitcher] last year — and I’m not making the announcement he will be this year — but there’s a good chance he might be.” Read more from columnist Matt Gelb at Philly.com.
Miami Marlins third baseman, Martin Prado spoke with the media on why he decided to forego free agency in order to stay with his current team. “I was part of everything at the end of the season and I feel like, hey man, God put me here for a reason,” Prado said. “I’m a really big believer in God and why he does stuff for me. I know I could probably get more money somewhere else if I go to a different team, but I truly believe in this group of guys. They have fun. They play hard. I feel comfortable.” Read more from columnist Tim Healey in the Sun Sentinel.
Thomas Boswell of the Washington Post believes that the 2017 Nationals should be the team’s highest-scoring lineup in years. Boswell advises how it all begins with on-base-percentage as he writes; “Few teams have five hitters who can match the top of the Nationals’ order in overall offensive quality, but especially in the ability to get on base. The big league average on-base-percentage is .322. Last year, the quintet of Eaton, Turner, Murphy, Harper and Anthony Rendon had stellar on-base marks of .362, .370, .390, .373 and .348. Likely No. 6 man Jayson Werth had a .356 mark in his last 111 games after his wrist fully healed, comparable to his .362 career mark.”
RECENTLY ON MMO
Michael Mayer takes a look at some of the Mets’ top prospects taking batting practice at Tradition Field.
Logan Barer recaps David Wright‘s conversation with Yahoo News on the team’s clubhouse.
Over at MetsMinors.net, Michael Mayer writes on Wuilmer Becerra‘s health following shoulder surgery.
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