Meet the Mets
The Mets don't start their exhibition schedule until Saturday against the Braves, but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy some sort of baseball before then. In fact, this is the best type of baseball; the type where the Mets can't lose. Just don't hurt yourselves, guys.
There are a few young pitchers who have impressed everyone at this early stage. Rule V draftee Pedro Beato is said to have the "best fastball in camp". Not to be outdone, Jenrry Mejia is impressing even those who thought he was tagged to be a reliever.
If you REALLY want optimism, here's Sandy Alderson saying that the team might not suck this year.
Ronny Paulino is still having some visa troubles and has not reported to camp yet.
Met prospect Alonzo Harris is an enigma wrapped in a riddle.
I love this post from Ted Berg about his excitement covering his first Spring Training.
I sort of hope that Nick Evans catches on with an organization that actually knows he exists at some point.
Around MLB
St. Louis ace Adam Wainwright has some potentially serious elbow issues that can keep him out for all of 2011. The news was greeted with horrible depression among Cardinal fans and some probably distasteful glee from the Cincinnati clubhouse.
A nice bit of self-awareness from a player yesterday as Joakim Soria took to Twitter to field suggestions to replace his nickname, the "Mexicutioner". Soria feels the nickname is inappropriate with the insane drug violence raging in his home country.
Joe Posnanski writing on one of his favorite subjects: Buck O'Neill's legacy.
Why do players dismiss sabermetrics and how do we change that?
Veteran umpires Chuck Meriweather, Mike Reilly, and Jerry Crawford are retiring. Don't think that will make a big deal? You're probably wrong.
And, finally, Carl Crawford is kind of creeped out by the Red Sox stalking him.