Mets Morning News: And may the force be with us all

Meet the Mets

Jed Lowrie was officially introduced with a press conference at Citi Field. The Mets’ newest member will play all over the diamond but should be in the lineup every day.

Lowrie might be new to the organization but he has ties to a few people already associated with the team.

Brodie Van Wagenen is confident in the team and thinks they can take the division in 2019.

The GM also mentioned that adding to the outfield is now less of a priority since the plan is to have Jeff McNeil see some playing time in the outfield. He also believes that the surplus of infielders will be good motivation for Peter Alonso who is trying to crack the Opening Day lineup.

Van Wagenen also mentioned he was happy for Jacob deGrom who received a significant raise in arbitration, but he would not say if extension talks have commenced.

The new GM has had a good offseason but another big move is needed in order to put the Mets into great territory.

The Mets’ rotation has the potential to be among the best in the league but depth remains an issue.

Beloved former Met Wilmer Flores signed a one-year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Flores could be used primarily as their second baseman as they shift personnel around the diamond.

Pat Mahomes thinks having his son around during the playoffs and World Series against the Yankees has helped prepare him for the NFL playoffs.

Around the National League East

Fish Stripes is trying to find a team in the division that could potentially pass them for last place this season.

Bryce Harper and Phillies’ manager Gabe Kapler reportedly got along well at their meeting which could give Philadelphia the edge in signing the superstar.

Nationals’ hitting coach Kevin Long thinks the adjustments Harper made in the second half of last season paid off well once he moved away from trying to hit fly balls.

Around Major League Baseball

Manny Machado’s agent blasted the reports of a low offer the White Sox supposedly offered to his client.

Longtime Reds announcer Marty Brennaman announced that this will be his last season calling Reds games.

After suffering a setback while recovering from Tommy John surgery, reliever Shawn Tolleson is retiring from baseball.

Perhaps it is time to stop discussing player salaries because now it only ends up serving ownership.

An increasing amount of cases have been heading to salary arbitration and the system could use some updating.

Royals’ pitcher Eric Skoglund was suspended eighty games after testing positive for performance ehanncing drugs.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Desmond Lindsay came in at number fourteen on Steve Sypa’s prospect list.

Maggie Wiggin examined the Mets’ outfield as it currently stands.

Allison McCague recapped Lowrie’s introductory press conference.

This Date in Mets History

In 1986, the Mets acquired Tim Teufel from the Twins in exchange for Billy Beane, Bill Latham, and Joe Klink.