Your Wednesday morning dose of New York Mets and Major League Baseball news, notes, and links.
Meet the Mets
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Wilmer Flores had the best game of his career last night, going 3-4 with a double, two home runs, and 6 runs batted in. The Mets shortstop has not been a disaster defensively at the position so far. Juan Lagares, meanwhile, left last night's game with a hyperextended elbow. Lagares has played Gold Glove caliber defense all year but still may not have the votes to win.
Bud Selig rolled into town last night and was immediately hit with a number of questions about the finances of Mets ownership, most of which he sidestepped. The outgoing commissioner appears ready to defend his pals to the end. Until ownership is willing to increase payroll, Mets fan cynicism is fully justified.
Are the Mets planning to secretly change their logo? Pictures posted on Mets social media accounts led to some questions but the team says it has no plans of changing their iconic logo.
Matt Harvey got his fastball up to 95 MPH in Monday's mound session at Citi Field and Terry Collins says that the ace felt great afterwards. Pedro Martinez is incredibly impressed by a Mets rotation led by Matt Harvey, saying that the organization has the best young pitching nucleus in the majors. Doc Gooden thinks that Jacob deGrom should be the NL Rookie of the Year. Zack Wheeler is similar to Angels starter Jered Weaver in an interesting way.
Which prospects will the Mets protect in this year's Rule 5 Draft? Brandon Nimmo won't be one of them since he's not yet Rule 5 eligible but the Mets top outfield prospect has started building his profile as a power hitter this year. Also among those who do not have to be protected yet are Kevin Plawecki and Matt Reynolds, who the Mets will have to make decisions on.
Around the NL East
The Nationalsclinched their 2nd National League East title in 3 years by defeating the Braves 3-0 yesterday, while the Philliesfell to the Padres 5-4.
Check out Giancarlo Stanton's face post-injury. Ouch.
MLB suspendedJonathan Papelbon for 7 games for his "unintentional" crotch grab.
Around the Majors
The Oriolesclinched their first AL East title since 1997, while their suspended first baseman lifted a car off of two people in a traffic accident.
Derek Jeter got hit by a pitch, the Yankees retaliated, and now Joe Girardi and Joe Maddon are at odds.
It's been another mostly dismal season for the Astros but second baseman Jose Altuve has been outstanding and last night, he picked up his 211th hit to set the team's season record.
The Rockies are set to switch Triple-A affiliates, teaming up with the Albuquerque Isotopes and leaving behind the Colorado Springs Sky Sox after 21 years.
Domonic Brown broke up a Padres no-hitter last night with a bunt. Does that violate the unwritten rules?
Yesterday At AA
Matt Harvey touched 95 MPH in his simulated game on Monday. Hooray!!!!
The Mets may have secretly tried to change their logo.
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