Mets Morning News: Alderson speaks on Porter firing, Springer heading to Toronto

Meet the Mets

After ESPN’s Mina Kimes and Jeff Passan reported on Monday night that now former Mets GM Jared Porter had sexually harassed a former reporter while he was with the Cubs, the Mets fired Porter early Tuesday morning. In a tweet shortly after 8:00, owner Steve Cohen announced the firing, writing “There should be zero tolerance for this type of behavior”. Mets’ President Sandy Alderson also released a statement saying “Jared’s actions...failed to meet the Mets’ standards for professionalism and personal conduct”.

Late Tuesday afternoon, Sandy Alderson held a Zoom press conference to further discuss the firing and take questions from reporters.

In the press conference, Alderson detailed the timeline of the previous 24 hours, stating he was made aware of the ESPN story by Porter at about 5:30pm on Monday. Alderson also explained he did not have a full understanding of the gravity of the situation until reading the ESPN piece and seeing the ESPN video which accompanied it.

Alderson said had the Mets known about these allegations when interviewing Porter, they would not have hired him.

Alderson also added he is now in charge of baseball operations and that he has been since he was hired.

The Porter story will not end with his firing as MLB plans to investigate the explicit text messages Porter sent.

Furthermore, firing Porter was the easy part in all of this, as the Mets and MLB must begin to look at themselves on how to change a male dominated culture that is so deeply ingrained in the sport.

Ken Davidoff answers some key questions in the aftermath of the Porter firing.

Deesha Thosar writes the Porter news cannot come as a surprise for those inside the world of baseball.

Justin Toscano wonders how the Mets can maintain their image after this.

Ken Rosenthal writes that Jared Porer’s misconduct is all too common and that change within MLB is long overdue.

Steve Cohen’s honeymoon phase as the newest owner of the Mets ended with Porter’s firing writes Mike Vaccaro.

In other news regarding the Mets, their acquisition of Joey Lucchesi was made official and the lefty thanked the city of San Diego and the Padres for all they’ve done for him.

Around the National League East

The Good Phight writes that they’re suddenly feeling better about the Phillies in 2021.

If Adam Ottavino becomes available, should the Marlins try to trade for him?

The Braves are forever grateful for the life of Don Sutton and the contributions he made to the organization as a broadcaster.

Around Major League Baseball

One of the biggest free agent targets is now off the board as George Springer and the Blue Jays agreed to a six-year $150 million deal late Tuesday night.

The MLB community mourned the loss of Hall of Fame pitcher Don Sutton on Tuesday. Sutton, who won over 300 games in his career, passed away on Monday night at the age of 75 due to cancer.

Even today, the numbers Sutton put up over the course of his career are mind boggling.

There were reportedly 24 teams present at Julio Teheran and Anibal Sanchez’s showcase on Tuesday.

The Blue Jays also signed reliever Kirby Yates to a one-year deal.

Jose Quintana is heading to the Angels on a one-year deal.

MLB is interested in holding a draft combine ahead of the draft in June.

While the Jared Porter news is certainly a Mets issue, it’s also an issue for his former employer, the Chicago Cubs, writes Jon Greenberg.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

The three co-hosts of A Pod of Their Own, Linda Surovich, Maggie Wiggin, and Allison McCague, shared their thoughts on the Jared Porter news and his subsequent firing.

This Date in Mets History

On this date in 1985, the Mets lost Tom Seaver for a second time.