Mets Morning News: And Ties? You Bet!

Meet the Mets

The Mets traveled to Kissimmee to take on the Houston Astros in hot Grapefruit League action. And it ended in a thrilling 7-7 tie. Jordany Valdespin uncorked a bomb for the good guys, Josh Satin went 2-3 with two doubles (HAIL!), and Collin Cowgill continued to earn his grission merit badges. The race for 2013 King of Spring Training is going to be a good one. Matt Harvey started for the Mets and gave up a solo home run to Fernando Martinez. I bet the beat writers penned a lot of funny jokes on twitter about that. Unfortunately, my cell phone died somewhere in the berkshires yesterday afternoon, so I missed them all.

Back in St. Lucie, the rest of the Mets bested the University of Michigan 5-2, behind strong outings from Dillon Gee, Jon Niese, and Rafael Montero. Infielder (of some varietal, probably) Wilmer Flores hit a solo shot to key the offense.

Sticking in camp, Noah Syndergaard, acquired in the R.A. Dickey deal, tossed his first bullpen of the Spring. Also, buried in that piece is an interesting nugget: Pitching prospect Hansel Robles will start 2013 in St. Lucie. This isn't too surprising, given how the Brooklyn Sterling Award winner manhandled the New York Penn League last year, but it's the first official confirmation I've seen.

Matt Harvey and Travis d'Arnaud are becoming fast buddies at Spring Training. All-star battery of the future?

Toby Hyde arrived in Port St. Lucie Saturday, and he has an update on the minor league side of things. Interesting that Toby pegs Steven Matz for the Savannah rotation. I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up there, but I have ten guys pegged as potential starters in Savannah. Going to be crowded in the low minors rotations this year. Not the worst problem to have.

Kevin Kernan doesn't seem to be aware of this thing known as a service time clock.

And Jason Fry tries to figure out what new numbers the Mets should put up on the wall at Citi Field.

Yesterday at AA

Chris McShane has all your Spring Training multimedia. Here's his photo gallery from Sunday, and he also posted video of Rafael Montero, Noah Syndergaard, and Michael Fulmer.

Brock Mahan celebrated Eddie Murray's birthday. Murray was one of my favorite players as a kid, and he also repped some amazing facial topiary during his career. Oh, it was also the anniversary of the Mets signing Rod Barajas, but that is much, much less exciting to me.

And a reminder: This Saturday evening (March 2nd) is the Amazin' Avenue Regional Gathering Here (or AARGH, if you will). We're meeting up at The Ginger Man on East 36th St. around 7 PM to drink some beer and talk some baseball. Hope to see you there.

Around MLB

The big news from yesterday is Curtis Granderson's broken forearm. The Yankee outfielder was hit by a pitch in a Spring Training game and will miss around ten weeks. But hey, the Bombers at least are due to get Derek Eater Jeter back in a couple weeks.

Roy Halladay pitched all right yesterday, but that fastball velocity is...troubling. Well, not to me, but you know what I mean.

Finally, Jeffrey Loria: Still a jerk.