Mets Morning News: deGrom speaks to media, Walker signs with team, Syndergaard owns a troll

Meet the Mets

Two-time Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom spoke to the media for the first time this spring yesterday. He discussed both his hopes for the 2021 season and his desire to stay with the Mets for his entire career.

deGrom may want to be a Met for a long time, but it’s uncertain how long he will be able to maintain his current level of production, and the Amazins need to take advantage of his excellence while they can.

The signing of Taijuan Walker has given the Mets something they haven’t had in quite some time: an incredibly deep rotation.

On the whole, the Mets have made some very solid moves this offseason, even if there are one or two players that they missed out on.

While many expected the team to be aggressive on every single big free agent, the team ultimately placed a greater priority on acquiring depth this winter.

Noah Syndergaard got into a mini Twitter battle with Trevor Bauer last night.

The late Shannon Forde, former senior director for public relations with the Mets, will be inducted into the New York Baseball Hall of Fame later this year.

In addition to his offensive prowess, Francisco Lindor will provide the Mets with the kind of defensive star at shortstop that the team has not had in quite some time.

Luis Rojas stated that Seth Lugo is doing well following the surgery that he received Tuesday on his right elbow.

Around the National League East

The Braves’ rotation was arguably the team’s only weakness in 2020, but the team is hoping that the additions they’ve made will help to provide the stability that was lacking there last year.

While some teams are toying with the idea of using a six-man rotation following the shortened 2020 season, the Phillies are hoping to stick to five starters to make sure that Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, and Zach Eflin pitch as many games as possible.

Max Scherzer opened up about the ankle sprain he’s been dealing with and his thoughts as he enters the final year of the seven-year contract he signed with the Nationals prior to the 2015 season.

Marlins starting pitching prospect Edward Cabrera, who has been expected to compete for a spot in the team’s rotation, will miss some time due to an inflamed nerve in his right biceps.

Around Major League Baseball

During the mandatory Intake Screening process enacted by the league, there were a relatively small number of positive COVID test results

MLB.com made predictions for the lineups and starting rotations for each team.

Who will be each team’s prospect to watch this spring?

Brett Gardner will be spending at least one more year in the pinstripes, having agreed to a one-year deal with a player and team option for the 2022 season with the Yankees.

Cameron Maybin is heading back to the Cubs, as the veteran outfielder has signed a minor-league deal with the team.

Former Braves ace Julio Teheran has signed a non-guaranteed deal with the Tigers as he looks to try to bounce back from a disappointing year with the Angels.

Todd Frazier—who, you may have heard, is from Toms Rivers, New Jersey—has received a non-roster invite to spring training with the Pirates.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Christian Romo examined the state of the Mets’ starting rotation with Walker in the mix.

Grace Carbone offered an introduction to the newest member of the pitching staff.

Linda Surovich provided a round-up of reactions to the signing.

This Date in Mets History

Tony Clark—the current executive director of the MLB Players Association—signed with the Mets on this date in 2003.