PORT JEFF, NY – You’re busy. Let’s not waste your time. Here’s what we’re talkin’ here: St John’s Clinches (Share), Mets SpringTraining Update, Giants FA Blueprint
St John’s Clinches (Share) of the Big East
For the time since 1992, the Johnnies will be Big East champions outright with a win over Seton Hall on Saturday. Coming on the heels of sweep of two-time defending national champion UConn Huskies, and a national ranking of 7, I was a bit concerned about the upcoming to Indy to face Butler. They are a team that has always given the Red Storm some trouble in that building. It was not the cleanest game they’ve played this year, but a 76-70 win on the road gives St. John’s a mark of 12-4 in games in the upper quadrants. That means they have one the better resumes in all of college basketball. A top two or three seed is not out of the question.
Before I wrap this up, I just have to say how incredible this season has been. Being introduced to the storied history of the Johnnies by my dad (FSA – Fake Sandy Alderson), he would tell me how great the program used to be. To see it come back from where it was just two years ago is incredible.
Mets SpringTraining Update
More Mets injuries. It’s officially baseball season, and the are Mets already down two of their projected five starting pitchers. Sean Manaea will be sidelined until mid-April with an oblique injury. Last week, we discussed a potential reunion with José Quintina, but that was quickly shut down as the Mets signed José Ureña, who is most notably known for throwing at Ronald Acuña Jr. Ureña is a fine temporary solution for now.
Other notable events to kick off Spring Training include the reemergence of former top prospect Brett Baty, who has been the subject of trade talks for offseason. He is off to a blistering start at the plate. Among other notable aspects of his good start this spring is that he is currently the backup SS/2B, also known as the José Iglesias role. It’s still a bit early to lock in any roster spots aside from the obvious, but Baty showing signs of breaking out is a development.
Giants FA Blueprint
We have to talk about the one team I root for that doesn’t seem to be getting better any time soon – the Giants. As it stands, they don’t have a QB on their roster. The conversation should start and end there, with added pressure from owner John Mara for Joe Schoen to hit a Grand slam this offseason.
Le’ts start in Free Agency. The number one target for the G-men should be Sam Darnold. I’m well aware of the poor end to the season he had. Having said that, the Jints need someone to at least bridge the gap to be a competitive team once again.
A few other moves I would make would be to bring Paulson Adebo from the Saints. Big Blue needs a CB1 going into next year and he would instantly make this position group respectable… Dru Phillips is one of the better nickel corners in football, so they are not as far off as they seem… The last move I would make would be to sign Center Ryan Kelly. The Giants have not had an above average center since David Bass in 2012!
The pressure is on for Joe Schoen & Co.
