Your Friday morning dose of New York Mets and Major League Baseball news, notes, and links.
Meet the Mets
Pitchers and catchers reported to camp at Port St. Lucie yesterday! Baseball is back even though we are still cold in the northeastern United States.
Marc Carig reported that Buddy Carlyle can opt out of his contract if he's not on the big league roster come Opening Day. The right-hander was a surprisingly useful bullpen piece in 2014.
Jon Niese says his throwing shoulder feels great and he's ready to compete with the young arms in camp.
The lefty also told the Post that he has confidence in Wilmer Flores, despite the supposed plan to play Ruben Tejada during Niese starts.
Wayne Randazzo is now your official WOR pregame and postgame host for Mets baseball in 2015.
Someone made a dress out of used Mets baseballs, but not in time for Valentine's Day.
Former Met Cliff Floyd has some fancy stained glass art in his house.
Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects list features seven Mets.
This date in Mets history: In 1989, they signed relief pitcher Don Aase. In 2003, they inked veteran slugger Tony Clark. That link is worth clicking on for a fun David Aardsma prophecy.
Around the National League East
Cole Hamels had made it clear that he wants out of Philly. Telling Phillies fans not be mad at him is like telling a honey badger to stop eating cobra.
Danny Espinosa showed up to Nationals camp looking a lot like Sal Fasano.
The Marlins are expected to compete for a Wild Card spot this year, but if things don't work out, they'll be stuck with their roster for the next couple of seasons.
Hey, maybe the Braves can make a surprise postseason appearance! That would be so much fun.
Around the Majors
Commissioner Rob Manfred will announce some rule changes today that are designed to shorten the average length of game.
Former top prospect Jurickson Profar is having surgery on his injured shoulder and could miss a second consecutive season. Profar was considered a Mets trade target earlier in the offseason.
Speaking of former Mets trade targets on the Rangers, Texas signed Rougned Odor's younger brother whose name is also Rougned Odor. In my humble opinion, you can never have enough Rougneds.
Bruce Bochy was admitted to an Arizona hospital due to heart discomfort. Fortunately, he is expected to be released today.
The Yankees are considering a six-man rotation. Some people think the Mets should do that as well.
Even crazier than the six-man rotation? The eight-man bullpen that the Royals are thinking about according to our old friend Andy McCullough.
Grant Brisbee has five sneaky breakout candidates that will hopefully help me not lose my fantasy league.
Yesterday at Amazin' Avenue
Jeff took a break from his glamorous television career to record a two-hour prospect podcast.
Our Season Preview series continued with profiles of Carlos Torres and Curtis Granderson.