Mets Morning News: David Wright planning to play as much as he can in 2016, Mets likely to spread Cuddyer money around

Meet the Mets

What a difference a week makes. This time last Sunday, the Mets were the favorites to sign Ben Zobrist, and Michael Cuddyer hadn't yet retired—or even hinted at retiring. Cuddyer explained his decision to do so, a big part of which were the injuries he'd dealt with in recent seasons. He doesn't have any immediate plans to coach.

Cuddyer's good friend David Wright is working on a plan with the back specialist he saw this year to play as much he possibly can in 2016.

The Mets will most likely use the money freed up by Cuddyer's retirement by spreading it around to several players in an attempt to play major league players—as opposed to borderline ones who got so many at-bats early in the 2015 season.

But the Mets should test the Yoenis Cespedes waters, says John Harper. Me: agree.

Are the Wilpons making Mets fan'so optimism disappear? Think we might know the answer to that one.

Ken Davidoff grades the NL and AL East's offseason thus far.

Around the National League East

Don Mattingly and Barry Bonds, manager and hitting coach of the Marlins, respectively, will make the team interesting, says David Lennon. I certainly hope so.

This date in Mets history

On this date, the Mets once signed Rickey Henderson. They also once signed Roger Cedeno.