Your Tuesday morning dose of New York Mets and MLB news, notes, and links.
Meet the Mets
Pete Alonso arrived at Mets camp after a long and uncertain offseason that culminated in him signing a two-year deal with the club earlier this month.
The Polar Bear was the first one out for the team’s first full squad workout of the spring.
Alonso is back and soaking up the special and ‘happy’ vibes.
Alonso explained that his offseason deal is just a bridge to get him to the next contract.
Alonso is getting a second chance to prove his worth and put this winter behind him, explains David Lennon.
Alonso spoke about his free agency and his reunion with the Mets, saying, “For me, this was it”.
Alonso, unlike the team’s owner, did not find contract negotiations “exhausting”.
Unsurprisingly, Juan Soto was the best player (by WAR projections) to switch teams this winter.
A lot of people showed up to watch the team’s first full squad workout, featuring the newly-signed Soto.
Soto is an elite baseball talent, but if this clip is any indication, he doesn’t appear to have a future in the NFL as a Wide Receiver.
The Mets are already dealing with their first injury of the season, as Frankie Montas has been diagnosed with a high-grade lat strain and will be shut down for 6-8 weeks. This came after news that Montas had not begun throwing and would be shut down for a ‘significant stretch’.
The MLB.com staff identified Francisco Alvarez as the Mets’ player with the most to prove this spring.
Howie Rose spoke with Steve Cohen on the latest episode of Meet at the Apple.
Around the National League
Bryce Harper and Aaron Nola missed the first full squad workout of the spring due to food poisoning.
The Good Phight debated the best way to configure the top of the Phillies’ lineup.
Around Major League Baseball
Keegan Matheson caught you up on the state of extension talks between the Blue Jays and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Giancarlo Stanton is in pain and has not swung a bat in 3-4 weeks, which casts doubt upon his availability for Opening Day.
Is this Jasson Domínguez’s year? If his locker placement is any indication—he finds himself in between Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger, two former ROYs—it might be!
In an effort to preserve his body and remain health, Mike Trout will move to right field this season and going forward.
Meanwhile, Rafael Devers has made it clear he does not intend to move off of third base and wants to remain at the position he’s played since he debuted in the majors.
John Means, who is recovering from Tommy John Surgery, has signed with the Guardians.
Hyeseong Kim is already turning heads in Dodgers’ camp.
The Diamondbacks have signed shortstop Geraldo Perdomo to a four-year extension.
The Padres have inked Yuli Gurriel on a minor league deal.
The Cubs have added ex-Met Chris Flexen on a minor league deal.
The Athletics extended skipper Mark Kotsay through 2028, with a club option for 2029. The deal could keep him with the franchise through the first year they plan to be in Las Vegas.
The Royals have extended Executive Vice President and General Manager J.J. Picollo through the 2030 campaign.
Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue
Christian Romo previewed Christian Scott’s 2025 campaign, though the starter will almost certainly not appear in a game this season while recovering from Tommy John Surgery.
Lukas Vlahos graded the team’s signing of Pete Alonso.
This Date in Mets History
Happy 52nd birthday to Shawn Estes, whose most notable achievement during his half-season with the club remains hitting a home run off Roger Clemens a few innings after throwing behind him.