Good morning, Mets fans!

Michael Marino of Fantrax reports that the Mets have spoken to the Baltimore Orioles and expressed interest in first baseman and designated hitter Trey Mancini and pitcher Jorge Lopez. Although doubt looms over the availability for Lopez, it is seen as inevitable that Baltimore moves Mancini before the deadline. Marino also reports that the Mets believe Cubs reliever David Robertson is an “ideal fit” for the bullpen.

Now onto the morning briefing!

Latest Mets News

The Mets begin the second half of the season against the San Diego Padres and Mike Puma of the New York Post tweets that the Mets starting rotation for the weekend series will feature pitchers Max Scherzer tonight, Chris Bassitt on Saturday and Carlos Carrasco on Sunday.

Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom pitched four innings in a simulated game yesterday and struck out ten of the thirteen hitters he faced. A source for the team said “he looks like Jake” and a return to the mound is coming closer to fruition. Mets reliever Trevor May was also slated to pitch and after one inning of work, he threw 20 pitches and hit 94-96 with his fastball. It was also noted that his change-up and slider was sharp and will be slated to make a rehab start in the near future. For more on deGrom, check out our piece on his performance during his simulated game.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic details how Mets closer Edwin Diaz helped Pirates closer David Bednar make his first All-Star appearance by having him take his spot in order to make his debut.

Former Mets reliever Chasen Bradford announced his retirement from baseball.

Mets pitcher Taijuan Walker attended Yucaipa High School in California, the same school that recent Mets draft pick Jacob Reimer attended. Walker reached out to Reimer supporting him and welcoming him to the organization.

The Amazin’ Mets Foundation is currently accepting bids to enter for a meet-and-greet with the team as well as watch them take batting practice on field. Check the tweet below for more information.

Latest MLB News

Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports that the San Francisco Giants have signed reliever Trevor Rosenthal to a one-year, $4.5 million deal.

Latest on MMO

John Sheridan discusses how Mets prospects Stanley Consuegra and Brett Baty have made Baseball America’s Hot Sheet

On the newest episode of MMO Weekly, Mike and Sal discuss a potential Juan Soto trade, Daniel Vogelbach, a recap of the Mets draft and a surprising player the Mets could possibly target within the next few years.

Jase Bernhardt talks Carlos Carassco’s rebound season and how it puts into context FIP as a statline.

Mathew Brownstein catches up with Mets reliever Trevor May in an MMO Exclusive.

Alex Horowitz details the infielders and how they performed all through the first half of the season with his First Half Report Card.

On This Date in Mets History

1986: Fight Night in Cincinnati! The Cincinnati Reds hosted the Mets at Riverfront Stadium and the contest itself lacked a ton of tension, action while finishing with lots of scheming by then Mets manager Davey Johnson. In the fifth inning, Darryl Strawberry got tossed in the fifth for arguing a third strike call, putting the Mets short a man on the bench. This would have an impact considering what came next. Fast forward to the bottom of the tenth, Pete Rose pinch hit himself for reliever John Franco and singled off Jesse Orosco.

Rose wanting to add more speed to the bases decided to bring in Eric Davis to run. Davis would swipe second, then third but bumped Mets third baseman Ray Knight, who took exception to the slide. An amateur boxer in his hey-day, Knight punched Davis in the face. Benches cleared and a huge brawl broke out. After the dust-up cleared, Knight and Kevin Mitchell were ejected, leaving Davey Johnson shorthanded even more, on-top of his other moves. He decided to empty  his bench and bullpen, by bringing Ed Hearn into catch, which moved Gary Carter to third, and, in a weird genius move, sent Jesse Orosco to right field so new pitcher Roger McDowell could relieve him on the mound.

For the next three innings, Johnson proceeded to switch back and forth between his lefty and righty closers, playing to the matchups. In the 14th, Howard Johnson finally broke the tie with a three-run homer and the Mets had a hard-fought 6-3 win.

Birthdays: Rob Johnson (40), Jesse Hudson (74)