Morning Briefing: DeGrom Sets Eyes On World Series

Good morning Mets fans!

Jacob deGrom had a very productive season with the Mets in 2017, but he is looking to take the next step and aim for the Cy Young Award. He’s also setting his sights high for the team.

“That’s the goal,” deGrom said in reference to the Cy Young Award according to the New York Daily News. “If you ask any one of these guys, I guarantee that’s what they’d say. The goal ultimately is to win the World Series as a team, and then you set personal goals. Everybody wants to be the best they can be, and that’s the highest award a pitcher can receive. You set your goals high and go after it.”

Latest Mets News

Tim Tebow made an appearance on Wednesday night’s episode of Jimmy Fallon and made his goal clear.

“The goal is to get to the Major Leagues for sure,” Tebow said on Fallon’s show. “Of course no one thinks I can do it but I love trying to prove people wrong.”

Zack Wheeler beat out the Mets in his arbitration case and will make $1.9 million instead of $1.5 million.

The Mets and Columbia Fireflies have extended their player development contract through the 2020 season.

SNY will be broadcasting a total of 15 Mets spring training games. The first broadcast will be on Feb. 23 when the Mets open against the Atlanta Braves.

Latest MLB News

Scott Boras isn’t being fazed by the slow-moving free agent market according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com.

“I’m not ready to evaluate anything because of the market delay,” Boras told ESPN. “You have to let the market be a market before you can evaluate it.”

The Toronto Blue Jays agreed with Jake Petricka on a minor-league deal according to Chris Cotillo of SBNation. He’ll receive $1.3 million with up to $500,000 in incentives if he makes the big league club.

The Blue Jays also agreed to a minor-league deal with John Axford which includes an invitation to spring training.

Latest NL East News

Gabriel Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution discussed five things to know about Scott Kazmir who was one of the players the Braves got back in the Matt Kemp trade.

Derek Jeter is aware of the frustration that has come with some of the Miami Marlins’ moves, but stressed the importance of doing something.

“I understand the frustration of a fan,” Jeter said. “The bottom line the way I looked at it was, it’s been a challenge for us getting people to the stadium for years. And from everything I have heard, the challenge is because there has not been a winning product on the field. So, if there is not a winning product on the field, you have to make a change.”

The Philadelphia Phillies signed former Met Collin Cowgill to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training per Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports. If the outfielder makes the majors, he will get $800,000.

Mark Zuckerman of MASN wrote about how loaded the Washington Nationals outfield will be this season if healthy. Last year they ended up using 14 different starters which was fourth-most in the majors.