Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

Good morning, Mets fans!

Katie Hughes Martin of ESPN reports that the Mets vs. Cardinals game on Monday afternoon was its most watched spring training broadcast since a primetime Chicago Cubs vs. San Francisco Giants game in 2016, with an average of 423,000 viewers and 475,000 at its peak. The game was ESPN’s first spring training broadcast since 2021, and viewership on Monday was up 44% compared to then.

Now, it is time for the morning briefing.

Latest Mets News

Tim Healey of Newsday reports that there was a Mets fan behind the Mets’ dugout Monday in Jupiter who was relentlessly cheering them on all afternoon, often the only voice emerging from the crowd. You could hear him from anywhere in the stands. Buck Showalter gave him a lineup card after the game and said “he deserved it” in his postgame interview.

David Laurilla of FanGraphs interviewed Mets prospect Grant Hartwig.

Francisco Lindor‘s hair will look different multiple times this month for the WBC and then for Opening Day. Lindor went further during an interview with SNY and said, “If I ever go bald, I’m going to maximize the hell out of my hair.”

Abbey Mastracco of New York Daily News reports that Bear, a black lab training with K9s for Warriors named after “Polar Bear” Pete Alonso, was on hand to help shag balls as the Mets took batting practice ahead of their Grapefruit League game against the Houston Astros.

Latest MLB News

Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports that Padres have agreed to a deal with Rougned Odor. It’s a minor league deal with an invite to major league spring training.

Michael Clair of MLB.com covers the captivating nature of Czech Republic’s WBC team in his latest article.

Latest on MMO

Dan Quiñones recaps the Mets’ 8-4 win against the Marlins yesterday.

John Sheridan talks about Baseball America ranking the Mets as the fifth best farm system.

Brian Wright writes about Mets legends in other uniforms that people may have forgotten about.

Colby Morris reports on Jose Butto‘s new cutter.

On This Date in Mets History

2013: Johan Santana faced MLB hitters for the first time after anterior capsule surgery in September 2010. Santana threw forty pitches against David Wright, Daniel Murphy, and Ike Davis. Afterwards, he concluded (along with the medical staff) that he would be ready for opening day.

Birthdays: Michael Conforto (30), Ramon Castro (47), Tony Castillo (60)

The post Morning Briefing: Mets Draw Large Spring Training Viewership Numbers appeared first on Metsmerized.

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Good morning, Mets fans!

Jeff Passan of ESPN reports that the New York Yankees, whose No. 1 priority this offseason is to retain Aaron Judge, have an offer on the table in the neighborhood of eight years and $300 million and could increase it, depending on how much the San Francisco Giants (the other top bidder for Judge) are willing to offer themselves.

Additionally, Chris Cotillo of MassLive reports that Red Sox president Sam Kennedy claimed that the Red Sox are still engaged with Xander Bogaerts and that no doors have been closed there.

Latest Mets News

Michael Mayer reports that the Mets will hold a media availability with All-Star reliever Edwin Díaz via Zoom today at 1:00 pm.

Edwin Díaz is the winner of the 2022 NYBBWAA Good Guy Award, an award voted on by the NY BBWAA for the player who most helped reporters do their job that season.

Jesse Rogers of ESPN anonymously surveyed MLB Executives about MLB free agency. Eight out of twelve executives surveyed believed that Jacob deGrom will stay with the Mets.

Latest MLB News

The Pirates designated Lewin Diaz For Assignment.

Yasiel Puig is pleading not guilty to Federal illegal gambling charges. Puig issued a statement via Twitter: “I don’t know why people like to say bad things about me and believe it. They like makings me look like a monster because of way I looks maybe. All my life’s I been told to be quiet and do what I was told.”

Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports that the Guardians are among the most active suitors for Athletics catcher Sean Murphy, the 2021 Gold Glove winner who could be dealt by the end of the Winter Meetings.

Mike Mazzeo of the Legal Sports Report claims that with a possible opt-out at MetLife Stadium available soon, Sen. Joe Addabbo wants the Jets back in New York, specifically, Willets Point, Queens. “This is a huge, Herculean long shot, I get that. But I hate missed opportunities.”

Latest on MMO

Ross Bentley writes about the Red Sox having uniform advertisements in 2023.

Matt Mancuso calculates how much the 2022 Mets paid for a win.

Ross Bentley reports that the Mets are hoping to bring back Chris Bassitt.

Shaun Huntley covers the 2022 Bowman Chrome release.

On This Date in Mets History

1998: The Mets acquired reliever Armando Benitez and OF Roger Cedeño in a three-way deal with the Dodgers and Orioles.

Birthdays: Javier Báez (30), Greg McMichael (56), Julio Machado (57), Herm Winningham (61), Dan Schatzeder (68), George Foster (74)

The post Morning Briefing: Yankees Working On Large Bid For Judge appeared first on Metsmerized.