Good morning Mets fans! With Spring Training rapidly approaching, and so many top free agent remaining unsigned there have been talks of a possible players boycott going on this spring.
Latest Mets News
Matt Ehalt of NewJersey.com said that despite prior reports, sources have said that adding a starting pitcher is still not a priority for the Mets. They are monitoring the market, but it is not a pressing issue for them.
Ehalt did say that it would appear the Mets have one more “big” move left if they choose to make it. He added the infield search doesn’t appear to have a “favorite” at the moment since all the options have different skills.
Bill Madden of the New York Daily News says if the Mets can sign Eduardo Nunez and Lance Lynn for $18 million, they should go for it.
Doug Williams of SNY said on his takeaways from a Sandy Alderson Q&A Thursday night were that the Mets are content at catcher, he is open to adding a LHP in the bullpen, and he covets an everyday third baseman with a good glove.
Latest MLB News
According to NBC Sports Pittsburgh, Pirates owner Bob Nutting is facing advertiser boycott’s in his newspapers over the Andrew McCutchen trade.
A pair of agents, Brodie Van Wagenen and Joshua Kusnick, have spoken out about the MLBPA and this strange offseason. In his statement, Van Wagenen the co-head of CAA baseball agency, accuses MLB owners of collusion and threatens a spring training boycott.
Speaking of the strange offseason, Jayson Stark provides us with another mind bottling stat. “It is Feb. 2, and 13 teams still haven’t signed a free agent position player to a major league contract.”
The Baltimore Orioles have acquired catcher Andrew Susac from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for a player to be named later or cash.
As of right now, there will be 27 arbitration hearing for this year, according to Robert Murray of FanRag Sports, the last time there were over 15 arbitration hearings was 1994, the year of the strike.
According to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times, the Angels have hired former major league infielder David Newhan as a minor league infield instructor. Newham is the son of LA Times columnist Ross Newhan.
KMOX News has reported that St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez is facing a lawsuit that says he was part of a group that robbed a man outside a strip club in 2014.
Latest NL East News
The Marlins split the decisions in their arbitration hearings, as J.T. Realmuto lost and will receive $2.9 million and Justin Bour won his argument and will receive $3.4 million.
Ben Lindbergh of the Ringer, put the Marlins already record setting firesale into perspective.
Latest on MMO
Michael Mayer lists the Six Non-Roster Big League Spring Invites you should keep an eye on.
Mayer also provides some External Options for a LOOGY complement to Jerry Blevins and writes about how Bullpen Carts might be Making a Comeback!
Sit back and let Joe D tell you why It’s All About the Starting Pitching.
This Day in Mets History
1963: New York City Mayor Robert F. Wagner signs a bill that officially changes the name of the new structure in Queens from “Flushing Meadows Stadium” to “William A. Shea Municipal Stadium.”
Lucas Duda turns 31.
