Top News:
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Pete Alonso wants Mets to open the checkbook for Francisco Lindor: 'Pay him 400′ million — Francisco Lindor received a polar bear-sized endorsement - his biggest one yet - from a teammate who wants the Mets to open their checkbook and give the shortstop whatever he wants.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and New York Post
RELATED:
Tim Healey / Newsday:
Francisco Lindor contract watch continues as Mets and shortstop swap offers — Mets spring training is over. Francisco Lindor Contract Extension Watch 2021 is not. — With about two days left until the Lindor-imposed deadline for the sides to agree to a deal, Lindor and the Mets remained far apart …
Discussion:
New York Post, MLB Baseball News …, Sports Illustrated and Amazin' Avenue
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Francisco Lindor rejects 10-year, $325 million offer Mets call ‘best and final’ — The Mets have made their “best and final offer” for Francisco Lindor, according to a source. But it's well below the shortstop's asking price. — The team offered Lindor a long-term deal to stay in New York for 10 years …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, MLB Trade Rumors, New York Post, Deadspin and Mets News
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
The $1 billion quintet: Breaking down MLB's epic free agent shortstop class — The baseball stars have never aligned in this fashion before, and they likely never will again. — Five shortstops, all first-round picks, every one of them an All-Star, three of them World Series champions …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Justin Toscano / NorthJersey.com:
Talented 2021 NY Mets hope to make a run and win World Series — The Mets are entering a new era. — In November, owner Steve Cohen vowed to make the team a sustainable winner, one that would make fans proud. He brought president Sandy Alderson and, together, they overhauled the roster and parts of the organization.
Thomas Harrigan / MLB.com:
Experts pick 2021 division winners, champion — Although there were many twists and turns in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, the year ended with a result that wasn't all that surprising, as the Dodgers won the World Series. It was a finish our prognosticators saw coming before Opening Day.
Discussion:
Twinkie Town, MLB Baseball News …, NBCSports.com and Mets News
David Purdum / ESPN:
Scoring, home runs down in spring training with new balls in play — With the slightly tweaked baseballs in play, scoring and home runs are down in spring training. — Through Sunday, spring training games are averaging 9.4 runs, the lowest-scoring output in the preseason since at least 2015 …
Discussion:
The Ringer and baseballmusings.com
Tommy Birch / Des Moines Register:
Iowa Cubs broadcaster Alex Cohen is the subject of a new ‘House Hunters’ episode — Iowa Cubs broadcaster Alex Cohen is used to being behind the microphone. Not in front of the camera. — “I'm a face for radio as people like to say,” Cohen jokes. — Cohen and girlfriend Tessa Chen …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Anthony Rizzo ending contract talks with Chicago Cubs to focus on season — CHICAGO — Longtime Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo will begin the season without a contract with the team beyond 2021, and he is instructing his agents to end negotiations so he can concentrate on baseball.
Discussion:
Cubs News, Bleed Cubbie Blue, MLB Baseball News …, Chicago Sun-Times and Sports Illustrated
Joon Lee / ESPN:
New York Mets' Pete Alonso to issue NFT to aid minor leaguers — New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso is joining in on the sports NFT trend, but with a minor league twist. — Alonso, who is launching his own NFT on Tuesday on Blockparty, is auctioning off the one-of-one digital collectible …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Ian Browne / Red Sox News:
Barnes' test a ‘non-infectious positive’ — Closer candidate, 8 players in contact tracing cleared to return — Just two days ago, things were in chaos for the Red Sox. Closing candidate Matt Barnes tested positive for Covid-19 and was ruled out for Opening Day.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, MLB Baseball News …, Over the Monster and Boston Herald
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Major League Baseball relaxing COVID-19 protocols for fully vaccinated players, staff — PHOENIX — Major League Baseball is getting back to normal. Players can now travel with their families. They can go to restaurants. They can play cards and move around on planes and buses.
Discussion:
ESPN and Sports Illustrated
Anthony McCarron / New York Daily News:
Still curious? Catching up with those who brought Sidd Finch to life — The day the famous Sports Illustrated story about the Mets and a phenom pitcher hit newsstands, telephones all over New York and Florida started ringing. In Jay Horwitz's office, a furious sports editor …
