:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57800843/usa_today_10220759.0.jpg)
Meet the Mets
Dominic Smith and Amed Rosario went shopping with underprivileged children during the Mets Annual Shopping Spree. For Smith it was especially rewarding to help those who aren’t as fortunate, and Rosario picked out a festive jacket to wear and get into the spirit of the season.
Smith is also working hard this offseason to prove he deserves to start at first base next season.
As for Rosario, he too is working on improving his game especially shrinking his strike zone.
A reunion with Neil Walker remains a possibility, but is it in the Mets’ best interest to bring him back?
Carlos Beltran interviewed with the Yankees for their managerial vacancy, and he drew from his experiences with the Mets to help him prepare for the job.
Around the National League East
The Braves have a bit of a traffic jam in the outfield and space will need to be made to help clear a path for prospect Ronald Acuna.
The Phillies certainly have money to burn but they could just be biding their time before they make a big splash.
Nationals’ GM Mike Rizzo’s contract is up at the end of next year and there hasn’t been any talk of an extension with the ballclub yet.
Around Major League Baseball
The Athletics have reportedly signed pitcher Yusmeiro Petit to a two-year deal.
Pace of play has become a major concern around baseball and there are a couple of likely reasons for the elongated times.
The Astros are going to try and trade pitcher Mike Fiers before the non-tender deadline.
Carlos Beltran’s hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico was honored by Sports Illustrated when they named him the recipient of the Hope Award.
New Yorkers went to the polls to elect a mayor in November and apparently dissatisfied with the candidates on the ballot, several New Yorkers wrote-in the names of a few prominent New York athletes.
This Date in Mets History
David Wright and the Mets agreed to an eight-year contract worth $138 million on this date in 2012.
The Mets may have invested in their future on this date but they also gave up on it in 2007. They traded their once highly-regarded prospect Lastings Miledge to the Nationals for Ryan Church and Brian Schneider.