Good morning, Mets fans!

On Thursday, Major League Baseball requested a federal mediator to help offer “immediate assistance” with negotiations for the new CBA. An independent branch of the United States Government would come in and potentially assist in mediating issues between the owners and players. In order for this to go forward, it would need approval from the MLBPA, and according to reports, seems unlikely. Patrick Glynn has more on this story.

Now onto the morning briefing!

Latest Mets News

John Sheridan discusses projected ZiPS projections and how the Mets would end up in a playoff spot for the 2022 season. These projections, done by Dan Syzmborski, take into account current rosters, strength of schedule, playing time projections, depth charts, injury risks and numerous other factors and algorithims to come up with a projected W-L record. These projections see the Mets finishing in second place in the NL East with a 88-74 record, which would be tied for second wild card spot with the Milwaukee Brewers. However, with the prospect of expanded playoffs, this projections put the Mets back in the postseason.

Baseball America highlights the Mets history of scouting prospects and noting that players like Ronny Mauricio can boost their rankings as a farm system in Major League Baseball.

Mets Pitcher Trevor Williams ventures into the graphic design field as he tweeted specialty MLB lockout photos that feature a baseball with chains adorned over dugout treats and the on-deck circle.

Former Met infield prospect Luis Carpio signs a minor league deal with the Detroit Tigers. Carpio was seen as a mid-tier prospect but his development was stalled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in which the minor league season was cancelled entirely in 2020. Carpio hit .249 with Double-A Binghamton last season.

The Brooklyn Cyclones are hiring! The High-A Minor League Affiliate for the Mets are looking for people to fill positions for on-field operations, marketing, video editing and more!

Latest MLB News

Minor League Baseball announced that the Triple-A Season will expand to 150 games for the 2022 season. MiLB is adding six more games to their schedule and will extend the season end date to September 28th. The additional games were added to help better align the minor league season with the major league schedule.

Travis Sawchik of TheScore discusses in a 3-part series on how we consume sports media along with the future of the medium and how it became what it is today.

Jeff Schultz of The Athletic talks to Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker on the lockout, second guessing himself and the possible return or departure of 1B Freddie Freeman.

Seven former players from the Los Angeles Angels are currently on the prosecution witness list in the case of Eric Kay, as reported by SoCal News Group Angels beat reporter Jeff Fletcher. CJ Cron, Andrew Heaney, Blake Parker, Garrett Richards, Mike Morin and former Met Matt Harvey are all named in a list filed by Federal prosecutors on Thursday. Eric Kay, the former Angels communications director is facing felony counts of distributing a controlled substance, such as fentanyl, that led to the death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs.

JJ Cooper of Baseball America reports that longtime Minor League Baseball president Mike Moore has passed away. Moore was seen as a figure who helped MiLB come out of turmoil and led to its modern day success.

The Atlantic League announces that the Lexington Legends have hired Lindsay Gardner as their hitting development coordinator. Gardner will be the first female coach in Atlantic League history.

The Caimanes de Barranquilla from Colombia have won the Caribbean World Series. The Caimanes defeated the hometown Gigantes de Cibao of DR 4-1, with help from former Met Dilson Herrera. This victory marks the first ever Caribbean World Series win for the country of Colombia, finishing with a 5-2 tournament record after going winless the year prior.

Latest on MMO

Matt Musico talks about how the Mets need to finish the offseason with a bang.

Michael Mayer goes in depth on team No. 4 for his series on Great Eight Mets Teams.

Longtime play-by-play broadcaster for the Mets and Orioles Gary Thorne talks to MMO’s own Michael Garaffa on his podcast, Running The Bases. Click here to listen!

On This Date in Mets History

1963: New York City Mayor Robert Wagner signed a bill that off icially changed the name of Flushing Meadow Stadium to William A. Shea Municipal Stadium. This was done as an homage to Shea, as he was instrumental in helping bring back a NL franchise back to New York City.

Mets Birthdays: Jeff Gardner (58)

Let’s go Mets!