Your Friday morning dose of New York Mets and Major League Baseball news, notes, and links.
Meet the Mets
Yesterday we learned that the Mets have been charging their players for what amount to semi-mandatory offseason workouts.
Ken Davidoff thinks the Mets should be praised for passing on Ian Desmond, who he believes would only play one season in Queens if dealt there.
Meanwhile, Andy Martino reports that talks between the Mets and Nationals could be revisited later on.
Metsradamus says that the Mets should have dealt Daniel Murphy and a prospect for Desmond, even though he views Murphy and Desmond as practically the same player.
Toby Hyde figures out what it would have cost the Mets to acquire Ben Zobrist from Tampa Bay.
Matt Harvey talked to SNY about his rehab process and how excited he is for the upcoming season.
Rockies co-owner Charlie Monfort said that a Troy Tulowitzki trade is not happening.
Anthony DiComo previews the Mets' 2015 outfield.
The Mets were a hot discussion topic at a recent Pitch Talks event in New York City.
This date in Mets history: In 1986, the team traded for Tim Teufel.
Around the National League East
The Nationals and catcher Wilson Ramos have reached a deal to avoid arbitration.
James Shields could propel the Marlins into contention, but the team has to be careful about going overboard with a contract.
The Good Phight makes a case for the Phillies to finish in fourth place above the Braves. So adorable.
Around the Majors
Brew Crew Ball hosted a roundtable discussion regarding pitch clocks in Major League Baseball.
Grant Brisbee assures us that these pitch clocks are eventually coming to the big leagues.
The Padres and Petco Park will host the 2016 All-Star Game. This year it's in Cincinnati.
The Orioles have a contingency plan in case general manager Dan Duquette bolts for Toronto. Omar Minaya is said to be one of the potential replacements.
Anthony Rizzo thinks you should put some money on the Cubbies.
Across town, the White Sox will be retiring Paul Konerko's No. 14 jersey this year.
This chart says the Mets are not set up to win now, but at least they're not the Phillies.
Dave Schoenfield tried to find out who had the worst defensive season of all time. I'm sure Wilmer Flores will shatter the record in 2015.
Yesterday at Amazin' Avenue
Colby Conetta continued his Forgotten Mets series by reminding us of the short time that Aaron Harang spent in the orange and blue.