Mets Morning News: Dry-hump avoidance

Meet the Mets

Mickey Callaway made a vow to his relievers: that he’ll do his very, very best not to dry-hump them.

Speaking of the Mets’ new manager, Jay Bruce, who shared a clubhouse with him during Bruce’s brief Indians tenure down the stretch of 2017, offered another glowing assessment of Callaway.

Callaway and new pitching coach Dave Eiland have embraced the challenge of salvaging Matt Harvey’s talents.

Sandy Alderson’s front office continues to show interest in 35-year-old lefty starter Jason Vargas, who started last season scorching hot before regressing to his typical numbers.

Anthony Swarzak and Luis Guillorme reflected on Wednesday’s tragic school shooting in Florida. Both players attended high school in the area.

Around the National League East

Talking Chop previewed the Braves’ starting rotation heading into spring training.

Dinger-mashing breakout Phillies star Rhys Hoskins won’t be taking anyone by surprise in 2018.

Nationals catcher Matt Wieters told reporters he’s ready to bounce back from the worst offensive season of his career.

Around Major League Baseball

FanRag’s Jon Heyman dropped detailed notes on all 30 teams a week from the start of spring training games.

The AL Central might be in the midst of the most boring offseason for a division in major league history.

Fangraphs examined presumed superteams that wound up flopping, including the 2008 Mets.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Allison McCague previewed the 2018 campaigns of Kevin Plawecki and Brandon Nimmo.

Following a pair of seasons with the Nationals and a year with the Tigers, Matt den Dekker is back in the fold.

This Date in Mets History

It’s the six-year anniversary of the passing of Mets legend Gary Carter. Check out some career highlights and memorials here.