Morning Briefing: Cardinals Viewed as Favorites for Soto
Good morning, Mets fans!
As the sweepstakes for Nationals star Juan Soto continue, MLB Network insiders Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman revealed that executives see the Cardinals as the favorites to land the 23-year-old outfielder. The Cardinals sit in second place in the NL Central and have the prospects and MLB-ready talent that the Nationals are looking for. Soto would be joining a lineup that already features two MVP candidates in Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado.
Latest Mets News
Pete Alonso homered and drove in four runs to help the Mets salvage the series finale with the Padres, 8-5. The Mets’ offense was stifled by Joe Musgrove through five innings, but Alonso’s go-ahead three-run homer kickstarted a five-run rally. Carlos Carrasco only registered one strikeout but was able to get through five shutout innings. The Mets now get an off day before the Subway Series begins at Citi Field Tuesday evening.
Gil Hodges was one of seven inductees honored at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown yesterday. Mike Vaccaro of the New York Post writes about how the team’s trade that made Hodges the manager helped turn the franchise around.
Newly acquired catcher Michael Perez was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse. The Mets picked him up after he was designated for assignment by the Pirates.
Jacob deGrom threw a side session at Citi Field yesterday and is slated to make another rehab start this week. In another injury news, Trevor May threw 14 pitches in a scoreless appearance for Binghamton.
The Mets signed seventh-round pick Jonah Tong. The righty is from Markham, Ontario.
Latest MLB News
The Cardinals will be without Austin Romine, Nolan Arenado, and Paul Goldschmidt during their series with the Blue Jays in Toronto because they haven’t gotten the Covid-19 vaccine. Johan Oviedo will also be absent due to having an expired passport.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Michael King will miss the remainder of the year due to a fractured elbow. While Boone said King could be ready by spring training, Tommy John Surgery can’t be ruled out.
Braves outfielder Adam Duvall will undergo season-ending surgery on his left wrist. The Gold Glover suffered the injury while chasing a fly ball.
Former-Met pitcher Steven Matz has suffered a torn MCL. The southpaw may not need surgery but he is still expected to miss significant time,
MLB submitted its latest proposal for an international draft to the MLBPA. The league has offered a bonus pool of $191 million, while the players have countered it with $260 million.
The Phillies have asked MLB to let Pete Rose participate in this year’ celebration of their 1980 World Series championship team.
Latest on MMO
James Villani recaps the Mets’ 8-5 win against the Padres.
MMO released trade candidate profiles of CJ Cron and Andrew Benintendi.
James Schapiro writes why he thinks Gil Hodges should have been in the Hall of Fame a long time ago.
On This Date in Mets History
2001: The Mets leave 16 men on base, but somehow win against the Marlins, 5-2.
2008: Argenis Reyes hits his first (and only) MLB homer as the Mets dominate the Cardinals, 7-2.
2015: Nearly every player in the Mets’ lineup records a hit as the Mets rout the Dodgers, 15-2. Kelly Johnson hits his first homer as a Met, Lucas Duda cranks two homers, and Michael Conforto collects the first four hits of his MLB career. Kirk Nieuwenhuis also goes 4-for-4 with four RBIs, and Daniel Murphy chips in a homer of his own.
Birthdays: Billy Wagner (51), Guillermo Mota (49)
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