Mets Morning News: Arrivederci Italy, Hello Captain America

Meet the Mets

The longest spring training ever keeps on rollin' on. Yesterday the Mets lost to the Nationals 8-5, as Bobby Parnell got knocked around in his inning of work. See, he's already showing signs of being a proven closer, he can only pitch in the ninth! Matt Harvey, on the other hand, looked good in his four-inning outing, a three-run bomb from Bryce Harper the only blemish on his day. Harvey also finally got a chance to swing the bat this spring and immediately became one of the team's best right-handed bench bat options.

Let's check in with Johan! Santana talked to ESPNNY about the state of the arm, and it is looking more and more likely that the Mets ace will start the season on the disabled list. Time always wins in the end.

Howard Megdal would like to remind you that for once, Captain America is a Met! I'm not a huge fan of the nickname to be perfectly honest, but that's because he'll always be Daivid Wrongz to me.

Yesterday at AA

David Moseder wished Johan Santana a happy 34th birthday. He threw a no-hitter last year, you know. It was kind of a big deal.

Also, don't forget to check out our Community Prospect Rankings. Voting for #27 closes on Friday. And AA is hiring, so if you know the proper way to spell TRAID, shoot us an application.

Around MLB

Italy lost to Puerto Rico and is out of the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

Baseball Nation attempts to deduce who's the best player in baseball.

Also from the mothership, Marc Normandin previews the NL West.

Beyond the Box Score asks the question, "Will Roy Halladay Be An Ace Again in 2013?"

John Sickels posted his Top 150 Prospect List over at Minor League Ball. Five Mets made the Top 150 with Travis d'Arnaud the highest at #13. Bullpen Banter's Top 100 roll-out marches on as well. They move into the 50s today.

More prospecty goodness: Aaron Hicks looks to have the inside track to the Twins opening day CF job after the Ben Revere and Denard Span trades. Being close to New Britain, I saw a lot of Hicks last year in AA and love him as a prospect, but skipping him over Rochester is an awfully agressive move, especially for a team looking to the future over 2013.

FanGraphs is starting their positional power rankings. Can't wait to see where the Mets OF ends up!

Zack Greinke will be getting some plasma injections in his sore elbow. That totally doesn't sound like a performance-enhanching drug.

Finally, McCovey Chronicles celebrates the return of Tim Lincecum, sort of.