Manny Machado is officially a Padre, but Bryce Harper remains a free agent heading into the start of Spring Training games this weekend.

What's stopping a Harper-Phillies union? Can the Nationals be counted out? Would he like to be out West? The Baseball Night in New York crew discusses where Harper will end up signing.

Following the Twins' Friday signing of Marwin Gonzalez to a two-year, $21 million contract, which team had the best utility signing ahead of the 2019 season? The Twins, the Mets, who signed Jed Lowrie to a two-year, $20 million deal, or the Yankees, who signed DJ LeMahieu to a two-year, $24 million deal?

The Baseball Night in New York crew discusses which player is the best bet.

The nightmare scenario of Manny Machado and Bryce Harper both landing with Mets rivals in the NL East is not happening. But Harper is still being linked to multiple teams in the division, with the Phillies seemingly in a staring contest with him as he and agent Scott Boras entertain offers from other teams. Here's the latest...

Feb. 22, 9:52 PM: 

Phillies owner John Middleton took his private plane to Las Vegas to meet with Harper, per multiple reports, but according to ESPN's Jeff Passan, the two sides are not expected to agree to a deal Friday night. 

SNY's Andy Martino reported earlier this week that Harper is unsure if he wants to play in Philadelphia.

Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Mickey Callaway was flawless in his execution of the official message on Friday, repeating several times that Jed Lowrie's injury was "not serious." That was the line, and he was sticking to it.

The manager offered little additional information; we know only that the MRI on Lowrie's left knee showed no structural damage, the Mets are terming the injury "soreness behind his left knee," and Lowrie hasn't yet spoken publicly since returning to New York.

Mets ace Jacob deGrom enters Spring Training as the reigning Cy Young Award winner after an absolutely dominant 2018 season. So what changed last year that elevated deGrom's game to arguably be the best pitcher in the league?

With deGrom having discussed his thoughts on his contract situation in a press conference last week and not much changing on that front, he took time to reflect on 2018 in a 1-on-1 with SNY's Steve Gelbs. DeGrom said having a short memory when he made mistakes helped him stay locked in at all times this past year.

"I think just looking back at those starts that I let get out of hand and kinda what happened in those," deGrom said. "I go back to 2017, I think I had a seven and eight-run start, back-to-back and kinda watching what I did: bad body language, speeding up, not trying to control what I can control. I had already given up some runs and I was still thinking about them instead of focusing on the pitch I was about to throw."

Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo had some good news to report on his sore right shoulder on Friday. 

Nimmo told reporters he underwent tests and they all came back clean, signaling that it should not be a serious injury. 

The 25-year-old referred to it as "early-season soreness" this week and spent Friday at the bunting station during the Mets' simulated game, according to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. 

MLB pitchers are on the clock. Literally, now. 

The league announced Friday the deployment of a 20-second pitch clock during all Spring Training games this year. 

MLB has yet to declare whether the rule will apply to the regular season, so it's safe to say the use of the clock this spring will serve as a quasi trial period. 

Jed Lowrie will not play in Saturday's Spring Training game against the Braves despite revealing on Thursday there is no structural damage in his sore left knee. 

Mets manager Mickey Callaway downplayed the 34-year-old's injury on Friday but with several veterans north of 30 years old, Callaway stressed that the team's depth and how they use is it is more important than ever. 

"That's exactly why we brought in depth," he said.

Danny Abriano, SNY.tv | Twitter |

Some of the best movies ever -- including some of the best sports movies ever -- have been filmed in and/or take place in New York. Here is our ranking of the 10 best...

10. Above The Rim (1994)

It was a jam-packed season finale of Mets Hot Stove Thursday live from Duffy's Sports Grill as the SNY crew spoke with Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen, Robinson Cano, Michael Conforto, Todd Frazier, Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil. 

With Spring Training kicking into high gear this week and the Mets' first Grapefruit League game coming up Saturday, Van Wagenen and his players discuss their goals for the 2019 season and how camp is going so far.

"We have to come together as a team," Van Wagenen said. "We can't let adversity dissuade us from our belief that we can win. And if we do that, then we can overcome injuries, we can overcome regression from certain players. But we know we have enough talent around us to be able to stand tall at the end of the season."

Jeff McNeil will primarily be an outfielder for the Mets in 2019 after being an infielder throughout his professional career, but he's ready to play wherever the Mets put him after playing both infield and outfield at Long Beach State.

"Freshman year it was mostly second and left, sophomore year it was mostly second and junior year it was mostly outfield," McNeil said in a sitdown with SNY's Todd Zeile.

This season, Mets veteran INF Todd Frazier is going to have to get used to playing across the diamond at first base. And, of course, Spring Training will help him get used to the position once again.

Frazier is no stranger to first base, having played 94 games at the position over his career. But he hasn't played there since 2017, while he was with the White Sox before being traded to the Yankees. 

As he takes his reps down in Spring Training, Frazier knows he needs to not only get used to the new glove at first, but also the responsibilities the position requires.

Last season, Mets OF Michael Conforto had a pretty rough first half, hitting .216 with 11 homers and 30 RBI. But he picked things up after the All-Star break, as he collected a .273 average with 17 homers and 52 RBI.

Conforto finished strong, and this offseason, he worked on a few drills to make sure he carries that over into 2019.

SNY's Todd Zeile jumped into the cage with the young outfielder down in Port St. Lucie to see what he looks to do off the cage. They also discussed Conforto's 2017 shoulder injury, and what he is looking to do every time he steps up to the plate...

Good news came the Mets' way on Thursday following Jed Lowrie's MRI in New York.

Dealing with soreness in the back of his left knee, Lowrie made the trek north to see if there was anything concerning. Luckily, the MRI showed no structural damage, Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen said on WCBS 880. Van Wagenen added that the team will be cautious with Lowrie, and will "bring him along slowly."

Lowrie, whom the Mets signed to a two-year, $20 million contract, hasn't been participating in all activities...

Mets management repeatedly said Jeff McNeil would be a super-utility guy this coming season getting time in the outfield. I always had a difficult time picturing how this would work, though, and during my four days in camp nothing has changed.

I've only seen him on the infield. And today, with news that Jed Lowrie is in New York getting an MRI, McNeil worked one on one with coaches on on tagging runners sliding in to third base and later on his transfer turning double plays at second...

PORT ST. LUCIE - Jacob deGrom's new representative at CAA, Jeff Berry, was in Mets camp on Thursday, part of the usual rounds that agents make this time of year. Berry dined with a different client, Tim Tebow, on Wednesday, and surely checked in with other players.

But with deGrom's opening day deadline looming, and his threat to self-impose an innings limit hanging in the air, Berry's visit generated significantly more interest than usual.

Still, the Mets and deGrom are no closer to reaching an agreement on the contract extension that the pitcher wants, and that Brodie Van Wagenen wants to give him...

With Mets camp in full swing, check out Thursday's highlights from Spring Training in Port St. Lucie, which had everything from picture day to live batting practice to an appearance from The Sports Pope himself, Mike Francesa. 

Here in St. Lucie, you'll find veterans Robinson Cano, Todd Frazier and Jed Lowrie, but most players, coaches and team executives view the young Brandon Nimmo as having the best pitch recognition in camp.

"It was always important to my dad and coaches growing up that I swing at strikes and lay off pitches not in the zone," Nimmo told SNY, stating what seems like the obvious. "It has been a focus here, too, at least since I was drafted."

The thing is, while it may be obvious to swing at only pitches in the strike zone, Nimmo does it almost as well as anyone in baseball. According to FanGraphs.com, he swung last season at roughly 16 percent of pitches outside the strike zone, which was fifth-best among qualifying players.

Interestingly, to get as good as he is, he told me, it was more about playing catch than hitting...

Peter Alonso will not be debuting with the Mets this season, because Peter Alonso is no longer his name.

The man formerly known as Peter will now go by Pete, as the Mets prospect joins a long list of baseball players who have decided to change their name.

Earlier this offseason, Yankees reliever Zach Britton changed his name to Zack, and Melvin Upton changed his name back to B.J.

Jacob deGrom's agents from CAA, including lead agent Jeff Berry, have arrived at Mets camp in Port St. Lucie as deGrom's Opening Day deadline to work out a contract extension looms.

SNY's Andy Martino reports that there has still been no official offer made during the negotiations, but the sides will keep talking all spring.

DeGrom spoke at length last Thursday about his desire for an extension, seemingly upset with the fact that no official offer had come. He then refused to rule out placing a self-imposed limit on his workload this season if a deal isn't reached...

Jacob deGrom -- the defending Cy Young award winner -- is having fun throwing live BP sessions to his teammates at Mets camp in Port St. Lucie.

John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter |

TAMPA -- Having missed all of last season with surgery in April to remove bone spurs on both of his heels, Troy Tulowitzki seemed to have something of a message for Yoenis Cespedes:

Good luck.

Mickey Callaway is setting the bar high for Michael Conforto.

The Mets' manager believes so much in the soon-to-be 26-year-old outfielder's potential that he feels Conforto can be among the game's elite.

"I think he can be one of the best left-handed hitters in the league, myself," Callaway said Wednesday. "Just the way he approaches his at-bats, the swing, the pitches that he covers, it's special. A lot of guys can't just take a ball and go the opposite field and drive it the way he does, and that's not the only place he has power. He's able to stay on the breaking ball that misses down and drive it out to the pull side as well. So he covers a lot of pitches."

The Mets had a special guest at their practice down in Port St. Lucie on Wednesday as Alex Rodriguez joined GM Brodie Van Wagenen at the team's facility. 

As he made his rounds talking to everyone from fans to former teammate Robinson Cano, Rodriguez watched as Mets ace Jacob deGrom threw another live batting practice session...

Doug Williams, Nelson Figueroa and Andy Martino have an all-new episode of the Shea Anything podcast. They discuss how the good the vibe is at this year's Mets camp compared to years past.

They also dive into Manny Machado's deal with the Padres being a good thing as well as Bryce Harper also possibly leaving the NL East.

CLICK BELOW TO LISTEN

It's unclear how big a contract the Giants will or have offered to free agent Bryce Harper, but there is a continued sense Wednesday that they have a shot at signing him, with the Phillies having a tough road to get it done, reports SNY's Andy Martino.

Harper, who is seeking more than the $300 million Manny Machado got from the Padres, has turned down multiple offers worth more than $300 million in recent weeks, reports FanCred's Jon Heyman.

Martino reported Tuesday after Machado landed with the Padres that Harper to the Phillies was not a sure thing...

After another full team workout down in Port St. Lucie, manager Mickey Callaway as well as some players joined Gary Apple and Todd Zeile on "Mets Hot Stove."

During his interview with Apple, Callaway touched on the vibe going around Mets camp this year, and how much different it feels.

"We were excited last year coming in, but there's a different feel this year and it's palpable. It's not just 'We're excited to be here' and rah rah. It's a focused, it's a prepared, it's an experienced vibe that we're getting."

Callaway also touched on how Robinson Cano is already impacting the team, while Edwin Diaz and Tim Tebow stopped by as well...

I was wrong. Tim Tebow is a big deal, but Alex Rodriguez is clearly on another level.

Due to timing, I happened to be in the media room Wednesday when Rodriguez was getting wired up and prepping for what will be a walk-and-talk with Brodie Van Wagenen for ESPN. Indoors, he slunk in his chair, headphone always in, arms relaxed. This was just another day at the office, despite being surrounded by 7-10 production people and me, looking like a nervous teenager.

I said hello, because I had to do it. He understandably couldn't care less, but was not disrespectful. I'm not going to lie, my hands were shaking too much to take a picture with him. I'm a dork. But, the point being, it was not difficult to sense what would happen next...

Mets outfielder Michael Conforto explains to Todd Zeile how he's improved his swing this offseason.

To see the full interview, check out Mets Hot Stove at 5:30 p.m. on SNY.

It's not that Tim Tebow is a local legend and brings with him an enormous crowd that make his autograph sensations so unique. Mike Piazza drew similar crowds, as did David Wright.

The difference between Piazza and Wright and Tebow is that, when any fan is lucky enough to be chosen by Tebow and gets their item signed, the fan immediately turns around and is visibly giddy. 

In the case of Wright or Piazza, obviously fans were pumped to get the autograph, but they'd remain focused looking to see if there was another player coming down the line. In the case of Tebow, the selected glow, become frozen and childlike, looking as if they don't know what to do next...

No surprises here. 

MLB Pipeline released a new list of the Mets' top 30 prospects ahead of the 2019 season, and the first two names should come as little surprise for Mets fans. They've been hearing plenty about Peter Alonso and Andres Gimenez over the last few months, so it makes sense the duo are the first- and second-ranked prospects in the system, respectively. 

Alonso is closer to the Major Leagues than Gimenez, who finished last season with Double-A Binghamton. Alonso is currently competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster, but the expectation is that he will begin the season in the Minors until the Super-2 deadline passes, which would give the Mets an extra year of control over the University of Florida product. 

Wilson Ramos, Steven Matz, Noah Syndergaard and Seth Lugo all stop by Mets Hot Stove to talk baseball and expectations for the 2019 season with SNY's Gary Apple.

The Mets are out in full force down in Port St. Lucie for another year of Spring Training. As usual, fans flocked to the team's facility down in sunny Florida to see their Mets in action -- up close and personal.

Mets manager Mickey Callaway absolutely loves it.

SNY was able to mic up Callaway during one of the team's sessions, and he confessed his appreciation for how loyal Mets fans are as he enters his second season leading the squad. He also checks out his new closer Edwin Diaz put some work in out in the bullpen...

Last spring, Jose Reyes (at 34 years old) and Amed Rosario (at 22 years old) looked and behaved like brothers. When Reyes laughed at a joke, Rosario laughed at the joke. Where Jose stretched, Amed stretched. If Jose was at shortstop, Rosario was at shortstop. It all made sense. They had similar builds, similar energy, similar stories and similar expectations when entering the big leagues.

The two openly discussed talking and texting during off seasons with Reyes essentially playing the role of life coach, which is a major reason why advisors pushed Sandy Alderson to keep him around most of last season.

This time last year, Reyes, Rosario, Asdrubal Cabrera and Yoenis Cespedes were inseparable, with Amed looking like the young pup pushing to be in the with the big dogs. That was then, though. This is now...

SNY's Andy Martino and Todd Zeile analyze the Manny Machado deal from a Mets perspective and explain why this is good news for them. 

Now that Manny Machado has agreed to sign a megadeal with the Padres, the Phillies have lost out on their first choice as they aim to spend "stupid money." Their second choice is Bryce Harper, but landing him isn't a sure thing.

"Although their pursuit of him is serious, word around Harper is that he remains unsure if he wants to play in Philadelphia," reports SNY's Andy Martino, who says the Phillies must convince him to sign there if they want to "save face."

Martino adds that Harper's inconsistency and defensive decline has scared off many suitors, including the Yankees...

Mets prospect Peter Alonso faced Jacob deGrom during live batting practice earlier this week. And while he didn't make any hard contact (Alonso told SNY's Steve Gelbs the ball still looks like a grain of rice to him), he enjoyed the challenge.

"If I want to be on time and ready to go, why not face the Cy Young winner?"

Alonso, who is spending his second year at Mets camp, said his taste of camp in 2018 was "invaluable," and just wants "to be a sponge" while learning from the veterans...

The Yankees' Luis Severino took a bit of a jab at Mets ace Jacob deGrom on Sunday over deGrom's potential self-imposed innings restriction if he doesn't get an extension by Opening Day. On Monday, Severino claimed he "wasn't saying anything" about deGrom's situation after he clearly did just that. 

On Tuesday, deGrom responded.

"Everybody is entitled to their own opinions," deGrom told Matt Ehalt of NJ.com. "...the business side of the game is why you have agents. ... they're looking out for my best interest and advising me."

The Mets and St. Lucie (Florida) County reached an agreement Tuesday to renovate First Data Field, where the Mets spend spring training, and keep the team there until 2042, according to the TC Palm's Keona Gardner.

Amid a report last week that indicated the Mets could have "blown up" their stadium renovation deal, the two sides were to bring forth a contract to county commissioners on Tuesday that outlines the renovation project, according to Gardner.

"We're pleased with today's outcome," the Mets said in a statement. "Thanks to the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners and the county legal team that worked with our team over the holiday. We are thankful for the continued support of our fans and the local businesses."

Mets manager Mickey Callaway told players and coaches to stand up if they have ever been to the playoffs.

"It was more than none," third baseman Todd Frazier said with a smile.

Callaway, entering his second season leading the Mets, has a mission for his club to make the playoffs in 2019 after a disappointing 77-85 season. And Frazier is among those who believe in the team.

"I think that was exciting to see and I think everybody's getting that itch to get back in the playoffs," Frazier said on Monday.

It's the same, but different every year at Mets camp. Same uniforms. Same fields. Same drills. Same sun, fans and heat. However, protocol and the general vibe in camp often changes from year to year.

For instance, under Willie Randolph, camp was very serious, disciplined and focused on business and professionalism. The Terry Collins years were more upbeat, peppy and chatty.

Last year, which was Mickey Callaway's first spring ever running his own camp, things were a bit sporadic, with his looking more like a player getting to know people than a manager leading a team.

Luis Severino claims he wasn't specifically discussing Jacob deGrom's situation (despite saying "$17 million" and, you know, his name).

During an interview with SNY on Monday, the Yankees ace was informed that his comments about the National League Cy Young winner were getting a lot of attention. 

"Nobody has said anything to me about it," he told SNY contributor John Harper.

The Mets' primary focus at the moment is on a potential long-term extension for Jacob deGrom, but another one of their prized starters also appears open to a long-term deal. Enter Noah Syndergaard.

"Yeah, I think so," Syndergaard told NJ.com's Matt Ehalt on Sunday when asked about signing long-term. "I love being a Met, I love New York City, the fan base is great and has been very kind to me. I see kind of the routes the game is going with (Bryce) Harper and (Manny) Machado have still yet to sign, and it's kind of scary, honestly. It's definitely something different than I'm used to. Only time will tell."

While deGrom's extension deadline and a potential self-imposed innings limit if he doesn't get the extension has sent shockwaves through Mets camp ("Go out and pay deGrom," Syndergaard told Ehalt. "Give him what he's worth"), the easier play for the Mets would almost certainly be locking up Syndergaard...

Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen's 'Come get us' declaration to the rest of the NL East a few weeks ago was a bit surprising, but it has gone over well in the clubhouse at Spring Training as the team prepares for the 2019 season.

"I love that mantra," Michael Conforto said Monday morning. "...If you're not showing up to be the best team in the league, there is no point showing up."

The comments from Conforto have been echoed by others, including Brandon Nimmo, who repeated another one of Van Wagenen's mantras -- one he uttered for the first time during his introductory press conference...

Luis Severino fired off an unexpected fastball toward Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom on Sunday. 

The Yankees' ace, who recently inked a four-year, $40 million extension to buyout his arbitration years, was critical of the reigning National League Cy Young award winner for considering an innings-limit this season if he does not sign an extension with the Mets. 

"For me, I would never do something like that," Severino told Randy Miller of NJ.com. "I want to pitch. I love to pitch. I love this game. I'd never do that."

SNY mic'd up Mets pitching coach Dave Eiland for a day at Mets Spring Training including Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard's first live BP sessions

The Mets signed shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training, SNY.tv's Steve Gelbs confirmed.

Hechavarria, 29, adds dept to a Mets infield that already consists of Amed Rosario, Jed Lowrie and Robinson Cano.

Last season, Hechavarria hit .247/.279/.345 with six home runs and 31 RBIs in 94 games with three teams: the Rays, Pirates and Yankees.

We might finally get one of the top free agents off the board by the end of tonight, as talks surrounding Bryce Harper are "intensified," per Fancred Sports' Jon Heyman. 

The Mets' NL East rival Phillies are the favorite here, and former Marlins president David P. Samson is hearing that their offer to the 26-year-old is worth $310 million over 10 years. The Phillies said they were going to spend "stupid money" this offseason, and that deal would certainly do it to go along with their other signees like Jean Segura, David Robertson, and Andrew McCutchen.

If that is the case, Harper and his agent Scott Boras would get their desired $300 million, long-term deal. It doesn't top Giancarlo Stanton's $325 million deal he signed with the Marlins back in 2015. 

When Robinson Cano got down to Port St. Lucie, he saw his new locker in the clubhouse with his new orange and blue threads. But it isn't just any locker Cano was given. 

It was David Wright's locker.

Wright won't be in the clubhouse this season, but instead, will serve as a special assistant in the Mets' front office. So the Mets thought giving Cano, one of the fresh faces in the building, his empty locker, and Cano realizes how much of an honor it is.