Mets Morning News: Syndergaard open to an extension, Mets hold first team meeting

Meet the Mets

Much of the extension talk this offseason has been focused on Jacob deGrom, but Noah Syndergaard has indicated his openness to to an extension as well. “I love being a Met, I love New York City, the fan base is great and has been very kind to me,” he said. ”I see kind of the routes the game is going with (Bryce) Harper and (Manny) Machado have still yet to sign, and it’s kind of scary, honestly. It’s definitely something different than I’m used to. Only time will tell.”

After getting sent down to the minor leagues out of camp last year, Zack Wheeler comes into spring training this year with the confidence of a pitcher that had a phenomenal second half last season.

Ken Davidoff takes a look at Adam Guttridge’s new analytic philosophy for the Mets.

Mickey Callaway and Brodie Van Wagenen led the first team meeting at Mets camp yesterday.

Dilson Herrera is excited to be back with the Mets and happy to see some familiar faces.

Keith Hernandez has arrived at Mets camp and is feeling good after undergoing back surgery.

The New York Mets and St. Lucie County have reached an agreement to renovate First Data Field and keep the Mets in Port St. Lucie until 2042.

Around the National League East

Howie Kendrick compared Juan Soto to Mike Trout.

The Nationals are playing around with the idea of batting Victor Robles ninth.

Of course, despite the fact that Bryce Harper is not there, he is still the persona that looms most large at Phillies camp.

Victor Victor Mesa took the field for the first time in a Marlins uniform, completing his first spring training workout. He said the veteran players on the team made him feel “very comfortable.”

Braves lefty Luiz Gohara had a trying 2018 season, both on and off the field, but he’s trying to turn the page in 2019.

Around Major League Baseball

Yesterday was not a good public relations day for the Ricketts family, between Tom insisting that, “We don’t have any more [money],” to sign free agents and having to answer for Joe Ricketts’ racist emails.

Meanwhile, both Beyond the Boxscore and Deadspin tore into ownership and Major League Baseball for insulting the intelligence of the fanbase.

MLBPA chief Tony Clark had a harsh response to Rob Manfred’s comments during his Sunday press conference.

Accusations of collusion on the part of ownership continue to fly. Sheryl Ring of Fangraphs explores the interesting question of whether players (and their agents) could legally collude with each other.

Rob Manfred is all in on the pitch clock and says that it may be used on Opening Day in addition to during spring training, in order to get the players and umpires used to it.

The Red Sox and Yankees will both wear their home uniforms for the series in London, despite the fact that the Red Sox are technically the home team. Major League Baseball wants the world to see the iconic pinstripes on display.

Giants’ Bruce Bochy announced his retirement after this season.

“I’m telling you, right now these guys are motivated and they are pissed off,” said Alex Bregman about the vibe at Astros camp.

Rustin Dodd visited the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City and heard the story behind its newest artifact—a rare baseball.

Mike Petriello takes a look at the types of teams that tend to give out the contracts Manny Machado and Bryce Harper are seeking.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Jack McLoone previewed Steven Matz’s season.

This Date in Mets History

The very first spring training drills in franchise history took place on this date in 1962.