Mets Morning News: Glove is in the air

Meet the Mets

Marcus Stroman put in a lot of strength work during the offseason and is prepared to dominate in 2020.

Anthony DiComo shared three predictions he envisions taking place this spring.

Rookie skipper Luis Rojas hopes to bring his knowledge of analytics to the team in his new role.

Drew Smith is ready to put his Tommy John surgery behind him and hopes to be a part of the Mets’ bullpen this season.

The Astros collectively issued a weak apology about their actions but it was Carlos Correa who loudly defended Carlos Beltran.

Seth Lugo is lights out in the bullpen, but he wonders what could have been if he hadn’t matched up against the Astros in 2017.

Dominic Smith gave up his number to newcomer Rick Porcello and for the gesture Porcello gave a donation to Smith’s player development academy.

The Wilpons say they are still selling the team, but that doesn’t necessarily mean a sale will happen.

Luke Gasparre, the Mets’ longest-tenured usher, passed away at the age of 95.

Around the National League East

Felix Hernandez said he is healthy and ready to compete for a spot in the Braves’ rotation.

The Good Phight believes the Mets could be a fearsome opponent this year. Zack Wheeler did not seem pleased with his former team before ultimately deciding to sign with the Phillies.

Around Major League Baseball

After months and an extra day of silence, the Astros finally met with the media and completely bungled their opportunity to apologize.

Owner Jim Crane found blame in everyone but himself, didn’t think cheating had any impact on the games played, and his words tarnished all who spoke afterward.

If Jim Crane believes he is blameless than where does the blame lie (paywall alert)?

Dusty Baker was the only one who came off looking well and he had absolutely nothing to do with the cloud hanging over Houston.

The insincere apologies were just a perpetuation of a toxic culture cultivated in Houston.

Unsurprisingly, players across the league are still angry at the Astros, including Whit Merrifield who claims he has lost respect for all of them.

With a tarnished legacy, apologies nobody is buying, and anger from their peers and fans alike, the Astros have no choice but to face whatever comes next from those who they play in front of. (paywall alert).

With the lack of Houston apology and punishment, Rob Manfred’s silence is just as damaging.

After trading Mookie Betts for Alex Verdugo, the Red Sox will be without Verdugo who is dealing with a back injury.

After being rumored to be in the running for the job, David Cone is now reportedly out as an option to replace Jessica Mendoza on Sunday Night Baseball.

To the surprise of exactly no one, Mike Trout was rated the best player in baseball by MLB Network.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Lukas Vlahos previewed Thomas Szapucki’s season.

This Date in Mets History

The Mets signed both Jose Lima and Livan Hernandez on this date three years apart. Unfortunately neither was very effective in his tenure with the Mets.