Your Friday morning dose of New York Mets and Major League Baseball news, notes, and links.
Meet the Mets
Our boy David Wright has resumed baseball activities for the first time since being shut down last September with shoulder pain.
Sandy Alderson reacted to recent developments in the United States' relationship with Cuba. For now, though, baseball is unaffected.
John Harper of the Daily News wonders if Mets fans might prefer the gunslinging methods of new Padres general manager A.J. Preller to Alderson's more patient approach.
Mets 360 compares Alderson and the late Frank Cashen in terms of talent acquisition.
Around the National League East
Former Brave Kris Medlen has signed a two-year deal with Kansas City. The right-hander was recently non-tendered by Atlanta.
Now that they've landed a big fish in Michael Morse, the Marlins are looking to deal Garrett Jones.
Around the Majors
The trade sending Matt Kemp to San Diego was being held up because of arthritis in the slugger's hips that was found on his physical. Now it seems the deal is just about done. Ditto with the Jimmy Rollins trade.
While that deal may finally be finished, the Padres weren't. Late on Thursday night, they added Derek Norris from the Athletics in exchange for a pair of young arms.
The price on Dillon Gee may have been too high, because now the Rockies are moving on to other right-handed options.
The future of the Rays is uncertain now that the city of St. Petersburg has shut down plans for the club to look elsewhere for a new stadium.
Grant Brisbee presents the four most surprisingly quiet teams of the offseason. Either the Michael Cuddyer signing was considered "loud," or no one expected the Mets to do anything.
Former Angels first round draft pick Ryan Bolden was shot and killed on Wednesday night. May he rest in peace.
Yesterday at Amazin' Avenue
Nic Tatano took us to an alternate universe in which Fred Wilpon never bought the Mets.
On this date in 1979, the immortal Chip Ambres was born.