Good morning, Mets fans!

The Mets have hired former Tennessee and Texas Tech softball player Gretchen Aucoin as a development coach. Aucoin went through Rachel Balkovec’s mentorship program after she was made aware of Balkovec’s involvement as a minor league manager with the Yankees.

Aucoin has most recently played with the Cleveland Comets in the National Pro Fastpitch League in New Zealand.

Let’s get into this morning’s briefing.

Latest Mets News

Tim Britton of The Athletic interviews pitcher Max Scherzer on how he’s preparing for his first season with the Mets.

Latest MLB News

U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh has extended an offer to help solve MLB’s lockout, according to Jonathan Lemire of Politico.

“I have spoken to both the MLBPA and MLB about the ongoing contract negotiations and encourage both sides to continue engagement,” Walsh told CBS News. “Like any contract negotiations in any industry, I stand ready to help facilitate productive conversations that result in the best outcome for workers and employers.”

Per Ronald Blum of the Associated Press, MLB has stopped drug testing for steroids for the first time in nearly two decades as a result of the league’s lockout. The drug agreement between management and the players’ association expired as the lockout continues.

Former major league catcher Nick Hundley has been named special assistant to the GM by the Texas Rangers, according to Robert Murray of FanSided. Hundley spent 12 seasons in majors, including three seasons with Rangers GM and former Met Chris Young in San Diego.

The Astros will wear a 60th anniversary commemorative patch this season on their jersey sleeves along with their on-field caps.

Keith Law of The Athletic ranks all 30 teams’ minor league systems. Law calls the Mets’ farm league system the “most top-heavy system” with four players in the top 100.

Latest on MMO

Matt Musico makes a few Mets-related observations from the ZiPS standing projections.

Doug M evaluates righty Colin Holderman and first baseman JT Schwartz over at MetsMinors.net.

Matt Musico also takes a look at Team 8 in MMO’s Great Eight Mets teams

On This Date in Mets History

Birthdays: There have been no current or former Mets born on Feb. 8.

Let’s go Mets!