Mets Morning News: Risk and responsibility

Meet the Mets

“Not something that is even on my mind,” said Brodie Van Wagenen about his job security, as recent events may result in shakeups in front offices.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post made a list of ten people from the Mets and Yankees with the most on the line in the 2020 season. The Mets include Yoenis Cespedes, Brodie Van Wagenen, Jacob deGrom, and Marcus Stroman.

Similarly, Dan Martin took a look at how some Mets and Yankees could perform in a shortened season, pointing out that several Mets pitchers—including Jacob deGrom, Marcus Stroman, and Steven Matz—were better in the second half of last season than the first half.

Around the National League East

The final 60-game MLB schedule is not yet finalized, but one detail of the plan includes the reigning champion Washington Nationals facing the Yankees on Opening Day in prime time.

Former Braves reliever Adam Devine died at the age of 68 yesterday after a long battle with cancer. Bill Shanks of Sports Illustrated tells his story.

Braves catcher Tyler Flowers, who has a teammate with Type 1 diabetes and a young family, plans on taking MLB’s health and safety protocols seriously.

In a season where the absence of players due to positive tests feels like an inevitability, depth is more important to the success of a team than ever, writes Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer in a piece that examines the depth of the Phillies roster.

Around Major League Baseball

The states where coronavirus is now spiking are essential to the comeback of sports in America.

Baseball may be having a season, but the bitterness between the union and the league has not gone away and it could mean more troubled times for the game are ahead.

David Lennon of Newsday also took a look at what might be ahead for baseball, now that some of its dirty laundry has been publicly aired.

Retired Rockies pitcher Chad Bettis, who survived cancer, spoke to Nick Groke of The Athletic about the risks players are taking by returning. “It’s not going to just affect you if you get it,” he said. “I hope players understand that. It’s not just me I’m affecting, it’s somebody else on my team and potentially someone else’s family.”

Which is exactly why players have to be responsible, writes Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News. It will mean players that come from high risk households will be the most cautions. And some will perhaps opt out of the season entirely. “At the end of the day, does a player feel comfortable going to the field every day and — in my case, more importantly — feel comfortable coming home every day and feel like they’re not putting anyone else in danger?” Ryan Zimmerman wrote in a running diary on Thursday he is keeping for the Associated Press.

Even if an outbreak cases one or more of MLB’s 30 teams to drop out, MLB will not necessarily end its season, according to reporting by Andy Martino.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Chris McShane summarized a survey of MLB fans that said only 53% of those surveyed felt it was a good idea to have a 2020 season.

This Date in Mets History

June 28th is a day of goodbyes for iconic Mets. On this date in 1975, Casey Stengel made his final appearance at Shea Stadium. Exactly nineteen years later, Dwight Gooden was suspended for 60 games for testing positive for cocaine, which effectively ended his career.