Good morning, Mets fans!
Enrique Rojas of ESPN reported yesterday that Juan Soto told ESPN that he was offered a 13 year, 350 million dollar extension before the MLB lockout started. Soto said to ESPN: “Right now, me and my agents think the best option is to go year after year and wait until free agency.” Jon Heyman of MLB Network believes that Soto is hoping that his contract will be towards the top of the league for average annual value. Nate Mendelson has more on this story.
Now, it is time for the morning briefing.
Latest Mets News
Doug M has a full prospect report on Jaylen Palmer (2B/3B/OF), the 18th ranked Mets prospect according to Mets Minors.
Latest MLB News
Evan Drellich of The Athletic reports that the MLBPA arranged for the fifth collective bargaining agreement meeting with the MLB to happen today. Some of the topics that will be discussed from the MLB’s proposal include a 10% minimum salary increase to 630,000 dollars and a universal DH. Rich Sparago has more on this story.
Pitchers and catchers would have been reporting to spring training yesterday, but the lockout has obviously delayed the original timetable. Derrick S. Gould of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch interviewed Steven Matz about his feelings on the delay and his new team.
In late January, it was reported that robot umpires would be used for all 2022 AAA games. Listen to Rob Friedman, a pitching contributing analyst for MLB and ESPN, interview Rick White, president of the Atlantic League, on this subject.
After being struck in the head with a line-drive on and undergoing emergency surgery, Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay Rays AAA) pitcher Tyler Zombro has recovered and plans to report to spring training on February 28.
Latest on MMO
Brian Wright reflects on Gary Carter‘s legacy.
Nate Mendelson has a trade profile on LHP Taylor Rogers.
Nate Mendelson also has a free agent profile on DH Nelson Cruz.
On This Date in Mets History
Happy 92nd birthday to Roger Craig, the man who started the first game that the Mets ever played. Unfortunately, he pitched poorly in that particular outing on April 11, 1962, as he allowed five earned runs in three innings in the 11-4 loss.
Other birthdays: Juan Padilla (45)
Let’s go Mets!
