EL BARRIO, EL FALLS – Happy Monday. Management pretty much forbids me to talk #soccer (NY Red Bulls) or at least frowns heavily upon it. Since Grinding Ax Walt is the only other MTM Staffer that likes futbol, we can’t yet do a walkout. Stay tuned, Angry Ward and Big Ben Whitney may strike with us just for the hell of it… Anyway, since Short Matt talked about the New York Ironworkers – the pro rugby team in town – the focus will be on my other teams. With that, here is today’s slate: Mets Spring Training, Rangers Roster Moves, Knicks Update.
Mets Spring Training
There has been lots of news coming out. The highlights so far are that big pitching free agent, Justin Verlander, has survived the first two bullpen outings. Verlander is in his second season since Tommy John Surgery. He is nervous but seems to be feeling good… Veteran lefty Joey Lucchesi, who is in his first season since Tommy John, just wants to play. Whether he is the specialist from the bullpen, a middle reliever or spot starter, doesn’t matter to him. Free agent DH Tommy Pham is learning to play right field. Though a DH specialist, he did break into the league as left fielder and he is learning right field so he can be a day -ff option for the regular outfielders, Mark Canha, Brandon Nimmo and Starling Marte. Highly rated shortstop prospect Ronny Mauricio, coming off a MVP season in the Dominican League (winter ball), has been raking it. He is a candidate to make the bigs but if he does, he will need to learn to play second base as the shortstop position belongs to Fransisco Lindor and Brett Baty is the top prospect at third who got some time in September.
NY Rangers Roster Moves
I can’t say I understand because I am not in front office. The New York Hockey Rangers are trying to keep their roster flexible, so they can make some more deals before the NHL Trade Deadline. This means they play with 5 defensemen some nights, rather than send a healthy one back to the minors as he may not clear waivers. The Bluehsirts have been doing this to skirt league rules that govern how many healthy scratches you can have. On top of this, the squad went from a hot to cold. They found a way to come back last night and get the win against Los Angeles, however, but it may cost them. Defenseman K’Andre Miller may get a suspension as he attempted to spit at a King – the nerve! Also, Mika Zibanejad took a hit that knocked him down for a bit. Let’s see what happens when the deadline arrives. The rumor is the rangers are hoping to sign Patrick Kane. – who is from my adopted home of Buffalo.
NY Knicks Update
The Knicks have won their two games since the All-Star Break. Squeaking it out against the Washington Wizards and crushing the New Orleans Pelicans at The Garden. The Knicks seem to have hit a rich vein of form. Leading the way is Jalen Brunson, who was worth the tampering fine… Julius Randle has been playing well and the trade for Josh Hart looks to be a great move, as he has become an immediate leader of the second team and is getting more crunch-time minutes… RJ Barrett needs to re-assert himself but beyond that, the team is humming and looks like they have a real chance to not only secure the 5th seed but maybe snatch the 4th.
Thanks for reading and feel free to comment below. Check out Ben Whitney, who will share his love for Aaron Judge and/or deep sea fishing.
