Your Friday morning dose of of New York Mets and MLB news, notes, and links.
Meet the Mets
Good news, everyone! Matt Harvey has been cleared to begin throwing a baseball for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery this winter. There's still the slight possibility that he'll be healthy enough to pitch in September, but most likely our next Harvey Day won't be until Opening Day 2015.
Can Juan Lagares hit well enough to be an effective starting center fielder? If he plays defense as well as he did in 2013, he won't have to be Barry Bonds with the bat. Still, it's important to remember that regression doesn't exclusively apply to outstanding performances on offense.
Not an effective center fielder: Eric Young Jr. That won't stop Terry Collins from wanting to bat the speedster in the leadoff spot, though.
Here's a nice story from the New York Times about outfield prospect Cory Vaughn growing up with a big league dad and playing baseball as a diabetic.
Infielder Anthony Seratelli: "I'm very proud of my on-base percentage. I feel like it gets overlooked a lot." Not in this organization, bro.
Around MLB
With Robinson Cano in town, the Mariners now have an extra middle infield prospect, and Adam Rubin is reporting that either Nick Franklin or Brad Miller is likely to be traded before Opening Day. Whomever Seattle sends packing would make a very appealing and youthful solution to the Mets' shortstop problem.
The Braves have signed another home-grown youngster to a long-term deal. Andrelton Simmons will make $58 million over the next seven years.
Jeff Francoeur says he felt depressed last September after getting cut by the Giants, and he reportedly turned down more than one offer to join a contending club. Here's hoping that everyone's favorite clubhouse guy smiles a lot in Cleveland this season.
Former Tigers great Alan Trammell says it's okay for the freshly acquired Ian Kinsler to wear his old No. 3 this season. The number isn't retired by the Tigers, but you could make a strong argument that it should be.
Check out this video of Leo Durocher during Dodgers spring training in 1945. "You haven't got a bucket of paint at third base, Nick! Get the paintbrush out of your hands!"
Yesterday at AA
Rob Castellano continued our Mets prospects countdown with No. 3 Rafael Montero.
Mattew Callan wondered if Kirk Nieuwenhuis would get enough playing time to continue to torment Bob Costas in 2014.
Jeffrey Bellone investigated just how curvy Jon Niese's curveball is.
Episode 55 of the Amazin' Avenue Audio podcast is now available.
On his date in 1974, the Mets made Tom Seaver the highest paid pitcher in MLB history.
