Mets Morning News: Matz holds pitching clinic, hopes for 30-start season

Meet The Mets

Long Island lefty Steven Matz hosted the “Meet The Matz” pitching clinic at Ward Melville High School. He is looking to rebound from an injury-marred 2016 and make 30 starts next year.

Asdrubal Cabrera has had a slow start in the Venezuelan Winter League, hitting .094 and playing second base in preparation for the World Baseball Classic.

Jose Reyes looks to the 2017 and his second tour of duty with the Mets with optimism, and is ready to help the team in any way that he can.

Hall of Famer Mike Piazza capped off an amazing year with a meet and greet with the Pope.

Ron Darling stopped by MLB Network’s “High Heat” to discuss the upcoming season and what the Mets must do to dethrone the Nationals.

Around The NL East

Disappointingly, it doesn’t seem that Ryan Howard or Chase Utley will be returning to the Phillies. Shucks.

There is increasing speculation that the Nationals might be pursuing free agent catcher Matt Wieters.

Former Met Daniel Murphy has committed to playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.

Around The Majors

Murphy is joining an absolutely stacked Team USA lineup.

The Brian Dozier sweepstakes might be drawing to a close, as the Twins are more than happy with their All-Star second baseman unless they find an acceptable offer.

Hardball Talk continues its countdown of the Top 25 Baseball Stories of 2016 with Ken Griffey Jr.’s record 99.3% Hall of Fame vote.

The Toronto Blue Jays are in ‘active discussions’ with free agent slugger Jose Bautista.

Yesterday at AA

Steve Schreiber made a case for the Mets bulking up their middle relief corp.

Matt Varvaro lays down the law on proposed pace of play initiatives, as they threaten the nature of the game itself.

This Date in Mets History

We remember former general manager and Miracle Met architect Johnny Murphy, who passed away on this date in 1969.