Mets News: Free agent crisis averted, Max Kranick options, Dance Team
By Tim Boyle
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Less than two weeks into spring training action and already pitchers are bowing out for Opening Day; at least their bodies are. The New York Mets have known for a while already that Kodai Senga won’t be available to begin the year. His injury doesn’t nearly come down with as crushing of a blow as the one to Lucas Giolito.
The Boston Red Sox pitcher was a prime candidate to sign with the Mets. A partially torn UCL and flexor strain could cost the typically durable pitcher all of 2024.
Brutal news: Initial imaging showed Boston Red Sox starter Lucas Giolito likely has a partially torn UCL and flexor strain and could miss the 2024 season, league sources tell ESPN. Giolito, who signed a two-year deal with Boston, may need surgery to repair the right-elbow damage.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 5, 2024
Senga and Giolito on the IL? David Stearns might’ve asked to go back to Milwaukee if he had made that signing. The brutality of pitching in Major League Baseball is showing itself early. Current, almost, and former Mets aces are stacking themselves on the IL.
Just to be clear. It wouldn't make a difference what the Mets did this past year. Their best pitcher would be starting the season on the IL no matter what
— Pete Hoffman (@HoffWFAN) March 5, 2024
Justin Verlander IL (return TBA)
Max Scherzer IL (return June?)
Jacob deGrom IL (return July?)
Kodai Senga IL (return TBA)
Max Kranick does have minor league options after all
A positive surprise for the Mets, Max Kranick actually does have minor league options. Despite using up three during his time with the Pittsburgh Pirates, a fourth-year option will allow him to stay with Mets without having to be designated for assignment.
There has been talk that Max Kranick is out of minor league options
— Joe DeMayo (@PSLToFlushing) March 5, 2024
I had heard earlier this off-season he had a minor league option left, and that was confirmed this morning by @Joelsherman1
Kranick will start the season on the IL, but he also can be optioned to the minors
This is allowed when a player has played in fewer than five full seasons in the minors and majors. Kranick, with an injury history, missed enough time prior to joining the Mets to qualify for this uncommon situation. Once eligible to come off of the IL, the Mets won’t be forced to move him anywhere but Syracuse.
The Mets Dance Team deserves a mention
The Mets are adding a dance team which you surely know all about by now. A strange subject of debate by fans and haters since the announcement, most fans who are reasonable and not targeted to necessarily enjoy this piece of added entertainment at Citi Field feel a bit indifferent.
Mets’ new dance team hopes to ‘bring Queens to life’ this season https://t.co/gDqbLW7EBf pic.twitter.com/W289FRK6OC
— New York Post (@nypost) March 4, 2024
Ridiculed mostly by New York Yankees fans, Steve Cohen had the final word with one critic over the weekend.
Excellent point . I forgot how serious baseball is relative to other sports
— Steven Cohen (@StevenACohen2) March 2, 2024
A dance team isn’t going to harm anyone, sell too many tickets, or have any sort of an effect on the experience more than all of those other sights and sounds during downtime. The intent behind it is to create a new kind of atmosphere. As Rising Apple’s Jose De Jesus points out, it has proven to have worked.
In the Dominican Winter Baseball League we have had for many years dance teams between innings among other activities in the stadium that make sport as entertainment live in a more exciting way. I'm glad to know that the #Mets are walking towards that path #LGM
— Josue De Jesus (@josuedjr) March 2, 2024
Let people enjoy things they enjoy.
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