Meet the Mets
The full squad reported to Port St. Lucie yesterday, which means the gang’s all here.
Steve Cohen spoke to the media on the first official day of spring training. He spoke about being annoyed with the team’s inconsistency in recent years and declared that, as long as he is owner, there will never be a captain on the Mets. He also talked about being a “league first” owner with respect to the salary cap and will look at both sides of the argument.
In putting an emphatic end to the team captain discourse, Peter Chawaga of Forbes also saw this as the team sending a message to Francisco Lindor, who for a while was thought to be the next captain of the Mets.
John Harper also viewed it as Cohen taking a no-nonsense approach to the 2026 season after last season’s epic collapse.
Carson Benge is a big fan of Juan Soto, and it seems that the feeling and admiration is mutual.
The Mets signed outfielder Mike Tauchman to a minor league deal. Tauchman will be added to the mix of players competing for that open right field spot.
A lot of folks were impressed by Christian Scott’s session yesterday, including Carlos Mendoza, who praised his cutter, and John Harper, who believes Scott will be in the rotation at some point. It’s unlikely he’ll be ready for Opening Day.
Scott represents a reminder of the team’s rotation potential as he works his way back from an elbow injury.
The Mets have a lot of questions heading into the 2026 season, but so do their NL East foes, argues Joel Sherman.
Citi Field has been once again been nominated for best stadium food in baseball. You can vote here to crown Citi Field as the top dog of selling hot dogs (and other, more fancy, ballpark eats).
Tom Seaver’s impressive collection, including his 1969 Mets World Series Ring, is heading to auction.
Around the National League East
Ex-Mets reliever Drew Smith has signed a minor league deal with the Nationals that would pay him $1.75 million if he makes the team and includes $1.25 million in performance bonuses.
The Phillies believe they can finish the job in 2026 and are viewing this season as “World Series or bust”.
Nick Tricome argued that perhaps it is best for the Phillies and Bryce Harper to be uncomfortable.
Braves’ skipper Walt Weiss described Ronald Acuña Jr. as a “bull ready for door to open”, adding that the Braves’ star is in a good place mentally and emotionally.
Bruce Sherman, the Marlins’ principal owner, says the club’s expectation is to W-I-N.
Around Major League Baseball
Fangraphs revealed their list of top 100 prospects for the 2026 season.
Is this finally the year for one of these teams with an epic title drought? Will Leitch made the case for some clubs that could finally break through in 2026.
Spring Training is an opportunity for players to show something to their teams. The MLB.com staff picked out a player on each squad with the most to prove, including Kodai Senga for the Mets.
Buster Olney listed the top ten starting pitchers in baseball right now.
Vlad Guerrero Jr. has entered spring training happier than ever.
Mike Trout is healthy heading into 2026 and looking to return to center field.
Corey Seager, ex-teammate of current Mets second baseman Marcus Semin, downplayed the rumored issues between the two as the Rangers enter a new era.
The hard-throwing Yankees’ prospect Carlos Lagrange is being thrown right into the fire in the Bronx, as he was put in to pitch against Aaron Judge.
Judge was frustrated by the Yankees’ slow winter, saying that he was waiting for the team to go out there and find the right people. However, he now believes the team is in a good spot.
Tommy Edman of the Dodgers is dealing with an ankle injury, and it sounds like he won’t be ready for Opening Day.
Pablo López had to cut his bullpen session short due to elbow soreness.
The Padres signed AJ Preller, their president of baseball operations, to a long-term contract extension.
San Diego also signed Walker Buehler on a minor league deal.
The Angels added Adam Frazier on a minor league deal.
Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue
Brian Salvatore previewed Grae Kessinger’s 2026 season.
This Date in Mets History
Tebow Time officially came to an end, as Mets legend Tim Tebow announced his retirement from baseball on this date in 2021.