cespedes

Good Morning everyone. Yoenis Cespedes enters the 2017 season with big expectations and a new found security as he signed a four-year, $110 million contract in the offseason to stay in Queens.

Manager, Terry Collins believes that his star slugger is poised to have a huge season. “Cespedes is determined to have a huge year,” Collins said. “He knows he’s now the guy on this team, and I think he’s going to run with it. He is driven right now.”

Cespedes spoke with the media on Saturday with a renewed focus on winning, also advising that his hobbies are no distraction to his performance.

“I don’t think my focus was ever not on baseball,” Cespedes said. “I think last year with the cars, that was something off the field. I think the second I was on the field, that focus was always on baseball, and that is the way it continues to be.”

For the first time in his career, Cespedes has the knowledge of knowing he will not be dealt as a no-trade clause was included in his contract. He also says the Mets have “a great chance to win the World Series.”

Collins believes this will go a long way to building even more confidence in his player.

“I just think he’s relaxed,” Collins said. “Everybody knows he’s a great player. This is where he wanted to be. We didn’t think [the contract] was going to get done, believe me, but I knew he wanted to play here. I just want him to be himself. I just want him to go out and enjoy playing.”

LATEST METS NEWS

The New York Mets will hold their first full-squad workout on Sunday. Manager Terry Collins spoke with the media on Saturday advising on just what a big day this is for himself in setting a tone for the upcoming season. “You set down your ideas and your policies that day,” Collins said. “So for me, it’s making sure it’s set right with the same passion that I’ve always had, which it will. I think tomorrow is the biggest day of the spring for me.” Read more from columnist Glenn Sattell at MLB.com.

Brandon Nimmo finds himself in an unenviable position with no clear path to a major league role. He though is attempting to find solace within his current status in the organization. “They have a ton of outfielders, and that is a good thing for this team,” Nimmo said. “It’s a good thing for me, too, because I get to learn from a lot of guys who have been doing this for a long time and know the ins and outs of the outfield and every situation, so I get to learn from them. I am just taking it as a positive. It’s a great thing for this team.” Read more from columnist Mike Puma in the NY Post.

In Nationals camp on Saturday, Bryce Harper was confronted to give his thoughts on the unflattering comment Mets pitcher, Noah Syndergaard had left on an instagram post of his from New Year’s Eve. Harper was not amused, “I don’t know, Syndergaard does what he does and the Mets do what they do. So we are going to worry about what we do in our clubhouse and do everything we can do win ballgames and hopefully have a better record than any team in Major League Baseball.” Read more from Kevin Kernan in the NY Post.

NL EAST RUMBLINGS

Manager of the Miami Marlins, Don Mattingly spoke to the media on Ichiro Suzuki‘s desire to continue playing the game he loves, regardless of his age. “The good thing about Ich is he talks about playing until he’s 50,” Mattingly said. “So it’s not like, ‘This is my last year.’ He talks about wanting to keep playing. Then you know, this isn’t about just trying to do something or reaching a milestone.” Read more from columnist Joe Frisaro over on MLB.com.

Trea Turner of the Washington Nationals is prepared to take over shortstop for the defending National League East champions, a position he played in college and the minor leagues. “I’m excited to go back and prove that I can play there at a high level and try to be consistent and make as many plays as I can for our team,” Turner said. “It’s a very demanding position and a lot of responsibility and I’m excited to take it on and see what I can do.” Read more from Patrick Reddington at FederalBaseball.com.

The Atlanta Braves seemed to have gotten one over on the Arizona Diamondbacks with the acquisition of the 2015 No.1 overall pick, Dansby Swanson as part of a package for starting pitcher Shelby Miller. Ex-General Manager of the D-Backs, Dave Stewart vented his frustration of doing so in an interview on MLB radio. “I should have stuck to my gut, although I think that Shelby Miller is going to be everything I thought he was going to be when I traded for him. But my gut the whole time said not to trade Dansby Swanson,” Stewart said. Read more from Brandon Wile at TheScore.com.

RECENTLY ON MMO

Mathew Brownstein spoke with Justin Dunn in an exclusive interview with MMO.

John Flanigan takes a look at Travis d’Arnaud‘s new batting stance.

Over at MetsMinors.net, Michael Mayer reviews Baseball America’s top 31 Mets prospects.

TODAY IN METS HISTORY

On this day in 1962, pitchers and catchers reported to camp for the very first workout in New York Mets franchise history, which took place in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Mets players born on this day include, Miguel Batista (46), Alvaro Espinoza (55) and Tim Burke (58).

TWEET OF THE DAY