The Mets’ 2025 death knell is now their key to the NL East
NY Post
PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets’ 2025 failing (one of them anyway) might be their big strength now.
The pitching rotation that hit a wall midway through their excruciating, monthslong fall from grace (and first place) appears deep now — much deeper than last year and surely deeper than their main NL East competition, whose starting pitching looks noticeably thinner.
The Mets have at least six viable starters, and though some of the participants may not favor an extra day, a six-man rotation makes sense now. A group that features an honest-to-goodness ace (Freddy Peralta) and Rookie of the Year favorite (Nolan McLean) at the top, underrated David Peterson and resilient Clay Holmes in the middle, and 2024 ace Sean Manaea and 2023 ace Kodai Senga on the back end looks as deep as anyone’s, besides maybe Boston and perhaps the Yankees, once they get everyone back.
Almost all the Mets’ six are looking solid to good or better, and Mets people suggest they are unworried about a 3-4 mph velocity drop in Manaea’s training debut. Plus, the almost forgotten young right-hander Christian Scott is firing 97 mph and “filling up the zone” down here, and even younger Jonah Tong’s big promise remains intact, assuming his breaking pitches continue to develop, giving them the luxury of eight workable arms.
SALT LAKE CITY — Leon Rose tried to address the bench in the summer. It didn’t work. He got a redo at the trade deadline with Jose Alvarado and Jeremy Sochan.
If Isaiah Likely was the most … er … likely former Raven to follow head coach John Harbaugh to the Giants, Patrick Ricard wasn’t far behind.
The deal that brought Aidan Thompson to the Rangers didn’t create the ripple effects that the Artemi Panarin trade did because of who departed the organization. That was only Derrick Pouliot, a 32-year-old defenseman more than two years removed from his last NHL game. It didn’t create the waves like one for, say, Vincent Trocheck, would have because of current NHL players or draft capital the Blueshirts received in return, either.
PORT ST. LUCIE — Jacob Reimer speaks of his first major league camp experience with the enthusiasm of a young player confident in his abilities.
This isn’t Mark Messier returning to the Rangers after three seasons in Vancouver.
After waiting 15 years to have a lottery pick, the Nets saw Egor Dëmin’s rookie campaign cut short, shut down early by increased plantar fasciitis in his left foot.
Lakers star Luka Doncic was fined $50,000 for directing an “inappropriate and unprofessional gesture toward a game official” during Sunday’s win over the Knicks, the NBA announced on Tuesday.
Travis Kelce didn’t look far for inspiration when he pondered a return for a 14th NFL season.
LOS ANGELES — A day earlier, coach Mike Brown made an impassioned plea to his players to take care of the ball.
The Dolphins thanked Tua for his service and welcomed Willis.
PHILADELPHIA — Wins like this have been a rarity for the Rangers as of late.
TAMPA — There are players who overhaul mechanics during an offseason or spring training and then cram in every at-bat or inning they can, determined to feel comfortable before the games actually matter.
Daniel Jones received $40 million per season with the Giants.