New York Mets quiet spring training is a good thing

Somewhat surprisingly New York Mets spring training has been relatively quiet. That’s a good thing for the Amazins and their fans here’s why.

A year ago, the New York Mets were in turmoil. Port St. Lucie was a media hotbed unto itself. They had a new general manager Brodie Van Wagenen. He was a former player agent and one of his big clients was team ace, Jacob deGrom. The defending NL Cy Young Award winner wanted a contract extension to avoid entering the last season of the deal he was in. BVW had to recuse himself from the negotiations which weren’t settled until the last week of March.

Manager Mickey Callaway was on the hot seat. Yoenis Cespedes, Jed Lowrie, and Todd Frazier were all injured. Shortstop Amed Rosario was entering a pivotal season due to his erratic play. Pitcher Zack Wheeler entered his contract year, making him the focus of trade speculation. Their best hitter Jeff McNeil was squeezed out of his natural second base due to the arrival of Robinson Cano. Finally, Pete Alonso was killing it in camp, but the New York Mets weren’t sure he could hand first base at the Major League level.

What a difference one year makes! The ongoing Wilpon saga of “will they or won’t they sell the team” has died down for the time being. Their Carlos Beltran as manager fiasco feels like it was years instead of months ago. New manager Luis Rojas has kept it low key with focus on what’s happening on the diamond.

The biggest “controversy” so far was Pete Alonso dropping an F-bomb on ESPN while mic’d up in a meaningless exhibition game. As it turned out that game was one of the most entertaining in a long time. Several members of the team were also wired for sound. They were funny but also provide an inside look at the game from a perspective fans don’t normally get.

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Cespedes is the biggest drama and what happens if he’s good to go for 2020. Where do they get him into the lineup and who comes out? If he isn’t ready to open the season, everyone expects that anyway and New York Mets fans aren’t holding their breath. Been there, done that. Anything he gives the team this season is gravy.

If there is a “battle” this spring aside, from who the final utility infielder and middle-innings relief pitchers will be, it’s for the fifth-starter spot in the rotation. MLB veterans Rick Porcello (1.50 ERA this spring) and Michael Wacha (1.17 ERA) are both taking advantage of their opportunity and might squeeze away some starts from Steven Matz (1.50 ERA).

With a stable roster in place, the New York Mets can calmly focus on what they need to do to compete for a division title in 2020. That’s my idea of a good spring training.

Next. Alonso’s mic’d up by ESPN, trends on Twitter. dark

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