Good morning, Mets fans!

Steve Cohen and the Mets Foundation donated $15,000 to the Treasure Coast Food Bank, which serves communities along Florida’s central-east coast, as Michael Mayer points out. This includes Port St. Lucie, the home of the Mets’ spring training site.

The donation will go toward providing 500 meals for families in need, according to a press release. The food will be handed out to families at an event on Saturday at Clover Park–where the Mets play their spring training games–from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Now let’s get into the morning briefing.

Latest Mets News

The Mets signed utility man Jonathan Villar to a one-year deal worth $3.55 million. Read the details of the deal, including who this signing may affect most, here.

Ken Rosenthal reported the Mets could be interested in a reunion with Justin Turner, though the sides aren’t close to any sort of deal.

New PECOTA projections have the Mets finishing first in the NL East with 95 wins–10 games ahead of the next team.

Pitchers and catchers report February 17–one week from today–and their first workout will be two days later. The rest of the position players will report by and have their first workout by February 22.

Former Mets farm hand Gavin Cecchini is “ready to play,” as his mom posted a video of the 27-year-old in the batting cages.

Latest MLB News

The Miami Marlins signed outfielder Adam Duvall to a one-year contract, according to Craig Mish. He will make $2 million in 2021 with a $5 million mutual option (and $3 million buyout) for 2022.

Reliever Jake McGee signed a two-year, $7 million deal with the San Francisco Giants, according to Jon Heyman.

Steve Cishek signed a minor-league deal with the Houston Astros, according to the Houston Chronicle‘s Chandler Rome. The contract will pay him $2.25 million if he makes the major-league team.

New free agent Ryan Braun said he’s “not currently interested in playing” the 2021 season, according to a report from MLB.com‘s Adam McCalvy. “I am enjoying my family and focused on other business interests for now but appreciate the interest I’ve received and will continue to regularly stay in touch with the Brewers,” Braun said in the article, seeming to indicate he only wants to play with the Brewers if he does.

A couple more minor-league deals to report: infielder Greg Garcia with the Detroit Tigers (Heyman) and pitcher Nate Jones with the Braves (Rosenthal).

ESPN‘s Joon Lee ponders what will happen to the over four million bobbleheads that were supposed to be handed out to fans last season–especially the ones of players who are no longer on their 2020 teams.

Latest on MMO

John Flanigan recaps the career so far of new Mets outfielder Albert Almora.

Flanigan also projected what the Mets’ Opening Day roster might be if the offseason ended today.

Matt Musico looked at how this offseason hopefully set a precedent for offseasons to come for the Mets.

Rich Sparago says the Mets should take a look at free agent reliever Trevor Rosenthal.

On This Date in Mets History

The Mets brought veteran Howard Johnson back into the fold in 1997, however this was more of a formality as the third baseman retired as a member of the team the following month. Johnson accumulated two All Star appearances, a World Series ring, and 22 WAR while with the team from 1985 to 1993.

Ron Taylor, an integral piece of the 1969 World Series bullpen, joined the team on this day in 1967, as well.

In 1984, Keith Hernandez signed a five-year, $8 million extension with the Mets to remain with the team through the 1989 season.

Plenty of former Mets celebrate birthdays today, too: Travis d’Arnaud (32), Lenny Dykstra (58), Bobby Jones (51), and Alberto Castillo (51).

Mr. Sherman Jones, a member of the inaugural 1962 Mets team, would’ve turned 85 today. Jones pitched in eight games for the Mets in his only season with the team. He went on to serve 12 years in the Kansas legislature after a decades-long career as a policeman following baseball, as Wikipedia tells me. He passed away in 2007–11 days after his 72nd birthday.

Let’s go Mets!