Happy Saturday, Mets Fans!

We’re 47 days out from opening day, the schedule has been released, and spring training is right around the corner; Mets baseball is upon us. Let’s recap what happened in the baseball world on Friday.

Latest Mets News

The Mets officially announced their minor league affiliates on Friday morning, those being the Syracuse Mets (Triple-A East, Northeast Division), the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (Double-A Northeast, Northeast Division), the Brooklyn Cyclones (High-A East, North Division), and the St. Lucie Mets (Low-A Southeast, East Division).

A few hours later, the team announced that 24-year-old catcher Ali Sanchez had been traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for cash considerations. The Venezuela native was designated for assignment earlier on in the week. Sanchez was immediately added to the Cardinals 40-man roster.

The Mets’ Grapefruit League spring training schedule was revised on Friday afternoon, with all 24 exhibition games occurring during the month of March against a group of just four other teams, those being the Miami Marlins, the Washington Nationals, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Houston Astros. The schedule begins with a matchup against Miami on March 1 and ends on March 29 with a battle against the redbirds.

Acting general manager Zack Scott noted that “we’re fully comfortable going into the season with J.D. Davis playing an important role” in a press conference Friday. He did not describe the specific role that Davis will play.

According to New York Post reporter Mike Puma, the Mets have reached out to left-handed reliever Justin Wilson during the last day-plus about potentially bringing him back to Queens. Puma noted that “indications are he would prefer to remain with the Mets, but it’s unclear if they have extended him an offer”.

The Mets parted ways with their senior strength and conditioning consultant Mike Barwis, who had been with the team since 2014, according to MLB.com reporter Anthony DiComo.

Finally, a NL executive noted that they “still think the Mets are going to try and do something big”, according to and MLB.com article.

Latest MLB News

Jake Arrieta and the Chicago Cubs formed a reunion today, as the former NL Cy Young Award winner signed a one-year contract for a guaranteed $6 million dollars, according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman.

The Tampa Bay Rays added more starting pitching depth to their roster, as they came to an agreement with Rich Hill on a one-year contract worth $2.5 million, according to MLB.com Executive Reporter Mark Feinsand.

According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, the Phillies are finalizing a deal to bring infielder Brad Miller back to Philadelphia on a one-year deal worth somewhere between $3 million and $3.5 million dollars. Miller spent part of his 2019 campaign with the Phillies before spending 2020 in St. Louis.

According to ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan, infielder Joe Panik has signed a minor league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. Panik, an ex-Met, will make $1.85 million if he makes the major league roster, with another $400k added in incentives.

Free-agent infielder Brock Holt reached an agreement to a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers, according to Athletic Senior Writer Ken Rosenthal. He will earn $1.75 million with $750k in incentives if he makes the MLB roster.

The Los Angeles Dodgers traded left-handed reliever Adam Kolarek and outfielder Cody Thomas to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for infielder Sheldon Neuse and RHP Gus Varland, according to Passan.

Trevor Bauer did not address multiple instances of internet harassment when asked about it during his introduction to the Dodger fanbase on Thursday afternoon, according to an article in The Athletic. Bauer responded to the article on Twitter.

The Dodgers continued their busy day, sending reliever Dylan Floro to the Miami Marlins, per Passan. In exchange, left-hander Alex Vesia and minor league pitcher Kyle Hurt will make their way to Los Angeles.

According to Dennis Lin of The Athletic, the San Diego Padres are in agreement on a deal with reliever Mark Melancon, pending a physical.

The Atlanta Braves claimed utility-man Travis Demeritte off of waivers from the Detroit Tigers. To make room, they released right-hander Jeremy Walker.

The Boston Red Sox today signed left-hander Martin Perez to a one-year contract, with a club option for 2022. The team DFA’d former Met Chris Mazza to make room on the 40-man roster.

According to Heyman, former Met Asdrubal Cabrera and the Arizona Diamondbacks reached a deal for one-year and $1.75 million, plus incentives.

Latest on MMO

Rich Sparago wrote about the Mets’ official 2021 schedule.

Rob Piersall discussed MLB’s new Minor League affiliates and the Mets’ updated Spring Training schedule.

Ben Fadden analyzed  J.D. Davis’ role on the team’s 2021 roster.

Jack Ramsey noted the importance of the phrasing in Zack Scott’s quote regarding J.D. Davis’ role on the Mets.

Marshall Field wrote about five things to take away from Zack Scott’s press conference on Friday.

On This Date in Mets History

2003: 40-year-old David Cone signed with the Mets. Cone pitched relatively well to begin the year, but multiple injuries four starts into the season resulted in his retirement in late May.

Birthdays: Mike Nickeas (30), Brian Rose (37)

Let’s go Mets!