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Good morning, Mets fans!

Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post writes that the Colorado Rockies have outfielder Brandon Nimmo on their preliminary wish list to try and sign this off-season. Saunders speculates that the Rockies might make a run at him but will have to compete with the Mets and the deep pockets of owner Steve Cohen. He estimates that Nimmo will command a deal in the range of $115-$120 million and states that he won’t look for a hometown discount from Colorado, as he is represented by Scott Boras. Nimmo grew up in Cheyenne, Wyoming and was a Colorado Rockies fan growing up.

The World Series also starts today, with the Phillies taking on the Astros at 8:03 p.m. ET. The game will air on FOX.

Now onto the morning briefing!

Latest Mets News

Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor has been announced as a finalist for the Marvin Miller Man Of The Year award. The award is given annually to a Major League Baseball player “whose on-field performance and contributions to his community inspire others to higher levels of achievement. Chris Bello has more on Lindor’s nomination for the award, which highlights a historic Mets season and off-the-field community service and charity work.

Latest MLB News

Jayson Stark of The Athletic argues whether or not Phillies’ outfielder Bryce Harper‘s historic home run go-ahead home run against San Diego was clutch or not.

Meeting some resistance, PitchCom has changed the way pitchers communicate in today’s version of Major League Baseball, writes Emma Baccellieri of Sports Illustrated.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider has been named The Sporting News’ National League Rookie of the Year. The publication also released a list of American League and National League All-Stars for 2022, as voted on by AL and NL executives. Mets utilityman Jeff McNeil made the National League team at second base.

The Major League Players Association announced their finalists for the 2022 Players Choice Awards. Along with the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award, other awards include Player of the Year, NL and AL Outstanding Player Award, Outstanding Pitcher and Rookie Awards, The Curt Flood Award and the Comeback Player of the Year Award. Nominees for these awards include players such as Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, Paul Goldschmidt, Julio Rodriguez, Sandy Alcantara and more.

Anthony Castrovince of MLB notes that Astros pitcher Justin Verlander will join Roger Clemens as second pitcher to start a World Series game in three different decades. Verlander started games during the 2006, 2012 and 2017 World Series, twice with the Detroit Tigers (’06, ’12) and once with the Astros (’17).

Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe tweets that Brock Holt has announced his retirement from baseball, via Instagram. Holt played for 10 seasons, seven with the Boston Red Sox, an All-Star appearance and a 2018 World Series ring.

The Miami Marlins are hiring Houston Astros executive Oz Ocampo as their new assistant general manager as noted by Jon Morosi of MLB Network. Morosi also notes that the hiring of Ocampo comes as the Marlins are opening a new baseball academy in the Dominican Republic. Ocampo has a strong history of signing international talent which includes Framber Valdez, Jose Urquidy, Luis Garcia and Cristian Javier.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post notes that the Boston Red Sox and infielder Rafael Devers remain far apart during contract extension negotiations.

Tim Healey of Newsday quotes Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler on Mets starter Jacob deGrom and his impending opt-out and next contract. “I don’t want to speak for him, but I know he wants to win. I think he deserves a little better than what he’s getting contract-wise. I think that speaks for itself.” says Wheeler on deGrom.

SIS Baseball released their 2022 Fielding Bible of the Year winners. Honoring the best defensive players every season, the awards are voted on by experts who take in statistical analysis, the eye test, and multiple other factors to determine who is best at their position from the previous season.

Latest on MMO

Dan Quinones gives Mets shortstop an A plus for his 2022 Mets Report Card.

Steve Sica highlights the impressive power shown by Mets prospect Stanley Consuegra.

On This Date in Mets History

1961: George Weiss and M. Donald Grant joined New York Mayor Robert Wagner and National League president Warren Giles in Flushing Meadows Park for the groundbreaking of a new, state of the art, $18 million stadium designed to be the new home New York’s newest National League baseball team. Originally scheduled to open for the start of the 1963 season, cost overruns added another year and an additional $10M to the project. William A. Shea Municipal Stadium opened its doors on April 17th, 1964 with the Pittsburgh Pirates defeating the Mets 4-3 before a crowd of 50, 312.

Birthdays: Josh Thole (36), Braden Looper (48), Tim Bogar (56), Lenny Harris (58), Gary Rajsich (68)

Let’s go Mets!