Mets Morning News: Escape to New York

Meet the Mets

The Mets and Yankees released a joint statement addressing Governor Cuomo’s announcement that travelers from coronavirus hot spots need to quarantine for 14 days. The two teams are working closely with the Governor’s office to bring players back safely from states like Florida.

Meanwhile, it appears that players returning for the start of the season will not be subject to this quarantine and will have their own set of protocols.

The Subway Series scheduling quirk could hurt the Mets and the Yankees. The two teams will play each other six times this year.

The ZiPS projections model has the Mets finishing 31-29 and missing the second Wild Card by one game.

The Mets have the eighth-best odds to win the World Series.

With a schedule that includes 40 games against the difficult National League East, New York’s path to the postseason just got that much harder.

Yoenis Cespedes should be ready for Opening Day, which would give the Mets a much-needed offensive boost.

The Wilpons are motivated to sell the Mets by the end of 2020. Over the past few days, many potential suitors have emerged who are interested in buying the team.

Mike Puma explored five storylines the Mets face as they return to camp in July.

Anthony DiComo answered some questions about the team’s upcoming season.

DiComo listed players who could serve as the team’s DH.

The Mets and first-round pick Pete Crow-Armstrong are moving closer towards a deal, and it “shouldn’t be too long” according to Tim Britton.

Around the National League East

The Nationals have still not extended GM Mike Rizzo, and the clock is ticking. (Paywall Alert)

The Phillies’ outbreak shows exactly what can go wrong despite health and safety precautions. (Paywall Alert)

The Phillies signed first round pick Mick Abel.

Here’s how the Braves might utilize the DH in 2020.

The Marlins will need to submit a plan to the county showing how patrons can remain socially distanced if they want fans at their home games.

It sounds like one Marlins player and a groundskeeper using their complex in Jupiter, Florida have tested positive.

Around Major League Baseball

MLB is expected to release their schedule by the end of the week, as the Players Association is currently reviewing a proposed version.

Ken Davidoff took a closer look at what will be a truly unique 2020 season and provided answers to seven pressing questions that are surrounding baseball’s return.

Adaptability will be key this year, and teams that come together will succeed in the socially distanced MLB season.

It seems players who live with a high-risk loved ones can opt out, but won’t automatically receive pay or service time. The team would have the option to accommodate, however. (Paywall alert)

As if we needed a reminder that the pandemic is very much ongoing, one Tigers player and one staff member have tested positive.

Add the Mariners to that list as well, as they have had “more than one” player test positive for COVID-19.

The Blue Jays also confirmed multiple positives among their staff and their players. Meanwhile, they are pushing hard to be able to hold their season in Toronto, with Dunedin, Florida and Buffalo, New York serving as back-up options for their training site if the Canadian government doesn’t grant approval.

The Nashville Sounds will host games for 40-60 MLB free agents beginning on July 23 and running about 10 weeks.

Athletics at-risk player Jake Diekman is weighing the decision over whether to play this season. (Paywall Alert)

Bob Nightengale outlined some of the health protocols MLB is using in order to try and keep the virus from ruining its return and season.

The manual that includes the new rules for major leaguers clocked in at 113 pages.

Among the new rules is pitchers carrying a wet rag in their pocket instead of licking their hands. One ex-Yankees pitcher expressed his approval and thinks that may allow for foreign substances invading the rule.

One of the concerns people are now talking about are team buses.

Jarrett Seidler predicted what we will remember most about the 2020 season, and it’s not good. (Paywall alert)

Amid everything going on in America right now, is it possible to still love baseball when the sport doesn’t seem to love you back?

Mike Vaccaro encouraged fans to sit back and enjoy the craziness of the upcoming season.

CBS Sports looked at six reasons to embrace the madness of a 60-game 2020 season.

David Lennon asked whether 60 games is too much for MLB to handle this year, given the escalating nature of the coronavirus crisis.

While it’s pretty clear that fans should not be allowed in to any major league park this year, the Rangers, White Sox, and Marlins seem to think they will be able to host games in front of fans.

The independent Frontier League has officially suspended its 2020 season and given players the chance to make individual decisions on what to do from here.

The Red Sox mourned the passing of Eddie Kasko, who managed the team from 1970-1973 and served as a long-time scout and exec.

The Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York is officially opening its doors back up on Friday, June 26.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

On Episode 52 of A Pod of Their Own, Allison, Linda, and Maggie discuss the wild ride that was the MLB negotiations and whether they should be playing during a pandemic.

Chris McShane examined the state of the Mets’ rotation as the season is set to begin.

Check out how Mets fans graded their performance in the 2020 MLB Draft.

Pick up a new LFGM t-shirt with Pete Alonso’s number on the back! It’ll make Phil Mushnick mad, which is an added bonus.

This Date in Mets History

June 25 is a good date for Jacob deGrom (then again, what isn’t a good day for Jacob deGrom?) On this date in 2015, the two-time Cy Young Award winner hurled eight shutout innings while striking out seven and allowing four hits against the Brewers in Milwaukee. He earned his eighth victory of the season and lowered his ERA to 2.15 as New York prevailed 2-0. On this date in 2016, he matched this feat with eight shutout innings in Atlanta against the Braves, but failed to earn the win thanks to a quiet Mets offense—nothing new in Jake starts. New York still came away with the 1-0 victory, as Kelly Johnson hit a pinch-hit home run in the 11th inning against his old club to make a winner out of Addison Reed.