Morning Briefing: MLB Changing and “Deadening” the Baseball

Good morning, Mets fans! With Super Bowl LV and the 2020 NFL season coming to an end, that means one thing… BASEBALL is on the horizon! We are just eight days away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Port Saint Lucie, FL. for Spring Training.

Latest Mets News

Bradford Doolittle of ESPN.com released his “Way-too-early 2021 MLB starting lineup rankings” on Monday. Doolittle has the Mets ranked No. 2, with Lindor at lead-off, followed by McNeil, Conforto, Alonso, Smith, Nimmo, Davis, McCann, and the starting pitcher at No. 9.

Per Mark D. Levine of the NYC Council, New York City is opening a mega vaccine site at Citi Field. 50 percent of appointments will be for taxi drivers and food service workers (including delivery) from anywhere in New York City. 50 percent of appointments will be for residents of Queens in any eligible category. The vaccine site will be open Wednesday through Saturday, 24 hours a day. Sign up at: https://t.co/5CfVDbE42A?amp=1 or by calling 877-VAX4NYC.

Per reddit.com, Steve Cohen saved the Mets $50 million in debt refinancing.

Mike Puma of the New York Post looks at how Mets pitcher Carlos Carrasco’s battle with Leukemia sapped his strength, but not his spirit, stating that Carrasco is “a guy who hasn’t taken his blessings for granted.”

Latest MLB News

Matt Monagan of MLB.com discusses in an article how snow-covered fields are no obstacles for female teams in Japan.

Per Robert Murray of FanSided, pitcher Andrew Albers is in agreement with the Minnesota Twins on a minor-league deal with an invite to Spring Training. He can earn $750,000 if he makes the big league roster. He spent the last three seasons with the Orix Buffaloes.

Eno Sarris and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic co-write an article looking at MLB making changes to the baseball, claiming they’re “deadening it,” but by how much?

Per MLB Trade Rumors, the Angels have signed Shohei Ohtani to a two-year extension, avoiding arbitration.

Per MLB Trade Rumors, the Minnesota Twins have signed Keon Broxton to a Minor League Deal.

The St. Louis Cardinals announced on Monday that they have agreed to terms with catcher Yadier Molina on a new contract. They will be releasing more details today on Molina continuing his Cardinals legacy.

Per Ken Rosenthal, MLB is in the process of finalizing a revised Grapefruit League schedule, which is expected to place teams in separate “pods” on the East and West coasts of Florida. West-coast teams in Florida will play 28 games and east-coast teams will play 24, making up the rest with intrasquad-type matchups.

Per Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com, expectation for the 2021 season is a 26-man roster that expands to 28 in September.

Per Joel Sherman of the New York Post, MLB and the MLBPA have agreed to terms on the health and safety protocols for the 2021 season, which will include seven-inning doubleheaders and the runner on second rule in extra innings. There is no universal DH part of the agreement currently.

Latest NL East News

Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com released an article looking at the best divisions in baseball in 2021. The National League East, which includes the New York Mets, was listed at No. 1.