Your Sunday morning dose of New York Mets and Major League Baseball news, notes, and links.
Meet the Mets
Joel Sherman talked Mets versus Marlins with a bunch of major league front office folk. A lot of them liked the Marlins better, but both clubs will play the underdog role as far as the division race is concerned.
Mets 360 wonders if we are right to be optimistic about the young and talented Mets bullpen.
On this date in Mets history: In 2009, the team signed Jason Bay to a four-year, $66 million contract.
Around the National League East
Michael Jong looks at back-of-the-rotation options for the Marlins if Dan Haren doesn't want to play for them.
Productive Nationals leadoff man Denard Span recently played Santa Claus in his hometown of Tampa.
Around the Majors
Starlin Castro was questioned by authorities in the Dominican Republic about a shooting that occurred at a nightclub there. So far, there is nothing that would indicate Castro's involvement in the crime.
Japanese shortstop Takashi Toritani is mulling over free agent offers from the Blue Jays, Padres, and not the Mets.
Penn State won the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium, but only because kicker Sam Ficken had some Derek Jeter magic on his side.