Francisco Álvarez makes successful spring debut as the Mets notch their first spring win
Plus, where do the Mets stand in the early race for Juan Soto's free agency?
What’s up with the Mets? 🍎
The Mets defeated the Astros 3-1 at Clover Park on Sunday (Box)
José Butto gave up three hits in two shutout innings in his first appearance in spring
Francisco Álvarez blasted a home run and went 2-for-2 in his first start of spring training
Rumor Mill 🤫
The Mets are expected to be one of the favorites to sign slugger Juan Soto next offseason (USA Today)
Injury Updates 🏥
RHP Kodai Senga (right capsule strain) received a PRP injection and will not throw for three weeks
Roster Moves 📰
The Mets claimed LHP Kolton Ingram off waivers from the Tigers
LHP David Peterson was transferred to the 60-day IL
Today’s Game 🗓
Match-up: Mets (1-1) vs. Nationals (1-1)
Where: CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches - West Palm Beach, FL
Starters: RHP Max Kranick (0-0, - ERA) vs RHP Josiah Gray (0-0, - ERA)
When: 1:05 PM EST
Where to Watch: N/A
The Mets should not try and replace Kodai Senga with external candidates… ✍️
Well, it wouldn’t be a Mets spring training without a key injury that puts a downer on any excitement that might be found with baseball returning.
Last season, it was Edwin Díaz and this year unfortunately it is Kodai Senga. Of course, this injury isn’t to the degree of Diaz’s crusher last March - if everything goes well for Senga, he could return in late-April or sometime in May but the exact timetable remains unclear.
So what is the organization to do now that their already thin rotation got that much thinner?
They should not panic and sign Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery unless their price significantly drops. And even if it does, remember the Mets are paying two times for every dollar spent thanks to the luxury tax.
If things break right for the team this season (yes, its one of those years), they should in the Wild Card race in October and losses in April could end up hurting them at the end of the year. While it would be nice to make the playoffs after last year’s disappointment they cannot sacrifice the big picture for short term gain.
This offseason, Pete Alonso will be a free agent and Steve Cohen already stated he will essentially do whatever he can to sign him long-term. If Bob Nightengale from USA Today is correct, the Mets will also make a bid for Juan Soto, and he is expected to get a massive contract in record territory himself. Walker Buehler, Zack Wheeler, and Corbin Burnes will also be free agents and are better options to upgrade the rotation than either Snell or Montgomery.
The organization will have the opportunity to really go for it next season in free agency again since they made minor moves this year, and losing one month of Senga shouldn’t change that. It will now be up to Tylor Megill, Joey Lucchesi, and José Butto to keep the team afloat until their ace returns.
Hot Stove 🔥
The Cubs signed OF Cody Bellinger to a three-year deal worth $80 million and opt-outs after the first two years of the contract
The Cubs also signed Garrett Cooper to a minor league contract (Craig Mish)
Jen Pawol became the first woman to umpire a spring training game in seventeen years
Shohei Ohtani will make his Dodgers debut this week as their DH against the White Sox
Juan Soto blasted a three-run home run in his Yankees spring training debut
The Yankees are interested in trading for Dylan Cease but do not want to part with prospect Spencer Jones in the deal (Nightengale)
Texas OF Evan Carter exited the game after getting hit by a pitch on the forearm but X-rays came back negative
Don't disagree about Snell or Montgomery, but someone like Clevinger or Lorenzen would be a good depth signing as well as a space filler for Senga.