Much like the man who brought him back to New York, Robinson Cano has high expectations for the Mets this season. 

Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen wanted to change the team's culture, and he did so almost immediately with a blockbuster deal that landed Cano and closer Edwin Diaz. Van Wagenen has since made other deals, like signing Jed Lowrie and Wilson Ramos, to add more firepower in what everyone hopes will be a playoff season for New York. 

That's exactly what Cano envisioned when he waived his no-trade clause immediately after learning a deal was in place to send him back to the concrete jungle. He knows this team has the potential to make it back to the postseason.

John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter |

Ah, spring training. In some ways it's the best time for baseball writers, a time when players, managers, and executives are more relaxed and willing to talk before the pressure of the long season takes hold. 

I first went to spring training in 1982, and suffice it say we writers were a lot more relaxed as well in those days, before Internet deadlines and social media changed everything about the job. 

The quotes aren't nearly as colorful these days, when players seemingly live in fear of the Twitter reaction to even the smallest misstep, but as I head to Florida to write about both the Mets and Yankees for SNY, there's still nothing better than baseball and sunshine in February.

Before Kyler Murray decided he would pursue a career in the NFL as a quarterback over his baseball career with the Oakland A's, he sought advice from another fellow Heisman Trophy winner -- Tim Tebow. 

While the 31-year-old Mets prospect did not have to make a decision between football and baseball out of college like Murray, he understands how difficult a decision this is for the 21-year-old but had a simple message for him:

Follow your heart. 

Mets prospect Tim Tebow is always a hot commodity in Port St. Lucie. But, while the past two seasons he didn't have a shot at breaking camp with the Mets, things feel different now for the 31-year-old. 

Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen said earlier this offseason that Tebow has a shot at making the Majors this season, making this Spring Training critical for him. Tebow will likely start the season in Triple-A Syracuse Van Wagenen pointed out, but this will be the first step to proving he is worth a call-up this season.

"Use this Spring Training as a time really get a lot better and improve and making strides because this will be sort of the biggest Spring Training for me," Tebow said. "Before, I didn't know what I was doing, it was my first time. Then last year, I didn't play one snap of -- one snap -- one pitch of outfield. I only took a few at-bats and most of those I probably took steps back because I was trying to do it with bad form and pain."

At this time last year, Mets top prospect Peter Alonso wasn't prepared to compete for a job in Port St. Lucie. But that certainly isn't the case following a season where he teared through the minors. 

There is a good chance the Mets break camp with Alonso as their starting first baseman on Opening Day. And that is the obvious goal for the 24-year-old slugger, who admitted this year has a "different feel" in Spring Training.

"It's definitely a different feel from last year because last year I was a non-roster invitee, same as this year but I only had couple weeks of experience in Double-A," Alonso told the media on Saturday. "Got up to Triple-A last year and I kind of see the light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak. So I'm just going to work hard and see what happens."

As he left his position as prominent agent and head of baseball at CAA, Brodie Van Wagenen entered his new job as General Manager of the Mets surrounded by countless questions. However, while some people continue to wonder about his preparedness and potential conflicts of interest, one thing is clear, he isn't short on confidence. 

"I think 84 wins is light," Van Wagenen told WFAN's Mike Francesa on Monday. "If we do the things we're capable of, we're going to win. We're not afraid of the competition outside of the division, and we're certainly not afraid of the teams inside the division. We will and should be a playoff team."

The confidence emitting from Van Wagenen isn't just limited to fans, players and media, but is also being noticed by rival executives. 

John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter |

Everyone seems shocked that Jacob deGrom left the door open to the notion he'd consider limiting his innings in 2019 if he doesn't the contract extension he wants. But, sorry, I can't buy into the outrage.

This isn't Matt Harvey, suddenly springing the idea of shutting himself down in the heat of a September pennant race.

Anthony McCarron, SNY.tv | Twitter | : Luis Severino got paid life-changing money and didn't have to endure the potential hurt feelings that the nitpicking of an arbitration hearing can sometimes make bloom. The Yankees grabbed cost certainty on an ace-level arm. 

And the rest of us scored some juicy topics to kick around when the Yanks and Severino came to an agreement Friday on a contract extension for the righty. Especially this: 

Does Severino's deal signal that the Yanks are ready to talk pre-free agency deals with the rest of their young studs? In other words, on deck, Aaron Judge? 

After all the moves made this offseason, the Mets are positioned to be much better than their 77-85 record last season. And that's why OF Yoenies Cespedes can't help being frustrated. 

Cespedes has been in Port St. Lucie, but he hasn't been on the same workout plan as the rest of his teammates. The veteran continues his rehab regimen following double heel surgery, and the Mets are being very cautious with his progress as they don't want to rush him back. 

"We want to make sure that he's 100 percent healthy when he comes back," Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen said last week, "whenever that day is."

With Spring Training upon us, MLB Network released it's "Top 20 Players Right Now!" and a certain Mets starter made the list. 

The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom comes in at No. 10 on the list. He is the first pitcher named on the list, making him the best pitcher in baseball among the panel's eyes.

And that isn't hard to debate given his insanely dominant season last year. DeGrom produced one of the best single seasons in baseball, pitching to the tune of a 1.70 ERA/1.99 FIP with 269 strikeouts and a 0.91 WHIP over 217 innings (32 starts). The Mets' offense didn't help him much, as he owned a 10-9 record at the end of the year. 

It was another beautiful day down in Port St. Lucie, as the Mets' pitchers and catchers got another session in at the team's facility. 

Pitchers hit the mound for a quick bullpen session, as Steven Matz, Jeurys Familia, and Seth Lugo were among those working on their arsenal. Oh, and doesn't Edwin Diaz look good in his new blue and orange threads? 

The mets' first full team workout will take place on Monday...

The top prospect sites all release their Top 10-30 players for every organization at the start of each season. However, by mid-summer, those lists end up being shaken around by guys getting traded, falling from grace, getting injured or - hopefully - improving and shooting up the ranks.

Here are five Mets prospects I believe have the potential to move up a few slots this season, be it into the organization's elite list or - in the case of one player - MLB's Top 50...

Doug Williams and Nelson Figueroa discuss the news coming from Jacob deGrom and Brodie Van Wagenen's press conferences. 

Should the Mets feel pressured to sign deGrom or should they wait?

CLICK BELOW TO LISTEN

With the new baseball season upon us, The Athletic's Jayson Stark released his annual Spring Training Preview to catch a glimpse at what some in the game think happened this offseason. 

The extensive report saw Stark poll "30 esteemed baseball managers, coaches, scouts and executives" to see what they believed about how the league shapes out this season based on certain questions. 

One of those questions asked who the most improved team was in the National League, and the Mets came out on top with 24 votes. Next, was an NL East rival in the Phillies with 22 votes, with the Reds (20), Nationals (10) and Cardinals (10) rounding out the Top 5.

We know Jeff McNeil's role with the Mets in 2019 will be primarily as an outfielder. We know his former college coach thinks he can handle it. We know McNeil thinks he can handle it. And now we know another player it will impact.

Mets manager Mickey Callaway said Thursday that McNeil will probably be in left field most of the time, with the team wanting him to get comfortable "with all those angles."

And when asked if McNeil would play every day against right-handed starting pitchers and whether that means Brandon Nimmo in center field and Michael Conforto in right field on the days McNeil starts, Callaway answered in the affirmative...

Minutes after Jacob deGrom told reporters that he would like the feeling to be mutual from the Mets regarding an extension and wouldn't rule out limiting his innings if he didn't get one, GM Brodie Van Wagenen sat behind the same microphone for his first presser of Spring Training. 

"Yes, Jacob is 100 percent a part of our future now and hopefully for years to come," Van Wagenen said at the start of his roughly 20 minute session (with all but one question about deGrom). 

Van Wagenen was expansive while discussing the deGrom situation, and gave a forthcoming response when asked how much of a priority it is to get a deal done with deGrom before the March 28 deadline the deGrom camp has set. 

Jacob deGrom said Thursday that he won't call himself frustrated, but the Mets' ace seems perturbed at the lack of movement when it comes to a potential contract extension. And he isn't ruling out placing innings restrictions on himself this season if a deal isn't struck.

"The line of communication is still open," deGrom said Thursday in Port St. Lucie. "We have not received an offer. ... I really enjoy playing here and would like to be here, but that's kind of up to them."

The "kind of up to them" line from deGrom was a telling one, as he reiterated multiple times what he also said multiple times last season: He wants to be here, but the Mets have not yet made an official offer to keep him in New York beyond 2020...

After sending out his own letter to his ex...player, former Mets manager Bobby Valentine has everything you need for the perfect Valentine's Day with your loved one.

Do you need some advice to make your Valentine's Day go smoothly? Valentine has a few pointers...

CLICK BELOW TO SEE THE VIDEO

It's official: Jacob deGrom will be the Mets' Opening Day starter in 2019.

Mets manager Mickey Callaway said deGrom, the reigning National League Cy Young award winner, will get the nod when New York opens the season on the road against Max Scherzer and the Washington Nationals on March 28.

It's the second official day of Spring Training down in Port St. Lucie, and pitchers and catchers were all working hard in preparation for the team's first full workout on Feb. 18. 

Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard, of course, were among the pitchers getting their work in on Day 2...

The Mets are "on the verge of blowing up their stadium renovation deal" with St. Lucie and looking for a new Spring Training home, reports Keona Gardner of the TC Palm.

According to Gardner, the potential of the Mets looking for a new Spring Training home comes amid the ongoing renovation plans for First Data Field -- something Gardner reports has gotten contentious with St. Lucie county blowing through their original budget and demanding more money from the Mets.

Gardner notes that the Mets have already given an extra $2 million toward the renovation costs, but have so far balked at a request for more. 

April 7 is Jacob deGrom Cy Young bobblehead day at Citi Field. Will his award be repaired by then?

DeGrom's Cy Young award was chipped in transit and will be sent back to the manufacturer for repair, according to the New York Post's Mike Puma.

The Matt Harvey era in New York ended last year when the Mets traded the former ace to the Reds, and the right-hander is now attempting to revive his once-promising career with the Angels.

But after all of the off-field issues, the surgery to fix his thoracic outlet syndrome and his inability to regain his All-Star form in Flushing leaves lingering regret within Harvey.

Despite making multiple moves to improve their roster this season, the Mets were still in the market for starting pitching depth, according to SNY's Andy Martino. There are numerous starters still waiting to sign with a new team for the season.

But one came off the market on Wednesday, and not because he inked a new deal.

Veteran RHP Doug Fister will retire from the MLB after 10 big league seasons, his agent Page Odle told MLB.com's Jon Morosi. Fister was on the Mets' radar along with several other starters, including Gio Gonzalez and Brett Anderson. 

The only certainty regarding Yoenis Cespedes for the 2019 Mets is that he won't be on the field at the start of the season as he continues to recover from surgery on both of his heels.

As Cespedes enters spring training, Anthony DiComo explores the major questions surrounding the slugger as it pertains to 2019.

Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen has boldly said "come get us" about the team's competitors in the NL East this season. And when it comes to the Mets' odds to win the World Series, they're on pretty equal footing.

The Mets, Nationals, and Braves all have 16/1 odds to win the World Series, while the Phillies -- strangely -- have 10/1 odds, according to BetOnline. 

BetOnline must be gambling that the Phillies land one of the megastar free agents still on the market -- Bryce Harper or Manny Machado. But landing one of those players might not even vault the Phillies to the top of the division.

Mets manager Mickey Callaway spoke with reporters Wednesday afternoon for the first time since arrivnig at Spring Training.

Here are the takeaways...

Lessons he learned in 2018

New Mets closer Edwin Diaz, who was acquired from the Mariners along with Robinson Cano earlier this offseason, doesn't think closing in New York will be different from Seattle.

"I don't think so," Diaz said Wednesday after reporting to Spring Training in Port St. Lucie. "Same game, same place, same field. Nothing changed."

On his mindset going into games, Diaz said he's ready to pitch more than one inning if necessary...

The Mets have four players on the new FanGraphs Top 100 Prospects list, with 1B Peter Alonso (No. 48), INF Andres Gimenez (No. 52), SS Ronny Mauricio (No. 68) and 3B Mark Vientos (No. 92) making the cut.

New York had two players on new Baseball Prospectus Top 101 Prospects list, and the same players were their only two representatives on MLB Pipeline's new Top 100 Prospects list. Meanwhile, Keith Law of ESPN, who had Vientos ranked as his best Mets prospect, ranked the Mets' farm system No. 14 in baseball. 

On the new FanGraphs list, compiled by Eric Longenhagen and Kiley McDaniel, there was an eye-popping player comparison made regarding the 17-year-old Mauricio, with FanGraphs writing that "This is what Fernando Tatis, Jr. looked like at age 17."

Watch live on SNY's Facebook and Twitter today at 1 p.m. as Mets manager Mickey Callaway holds his first presser of Spring Training.

Mets pitchers and catchers officially reported on Tuesday.

5 questions Callaway should address in first presser >> Read More

Mets manager Mickey Callaway had his ups and downs in his first year as the team's skipper in 2018. After an 11-1 start to the season, the Amazin's looked destined for the postseason. But a horrendous June month washed away that hope, even after the team put together a strong finish to the season. 

Since then, the Mets have entered a win-now mode, spearheaded by its new GM in Brodie Van Wagenen. The former agent has brought in the necessary pieces to see the Mets compete for a division title in what is expected to be a tough NL East. And they still tout arguably the best starting rotation in the game.

With Van Wagenen already stirring the pot this offseason by saying "come get us" to the Mets' rivals, Callaway has some lofty expectations on his shoulder to produce a postseason-quality club. So, with that in mind, here are some questions he should be facing from the media in his first presser down in Port St. Lucie...

John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter | : You could see this coming from the day Brodie Van Wagenen crossed over from agent to GM, and now he's in a staredown with Jacob deGrom that is not only pivotal for the organization, but perhaps his own credibility with his players.

Van Wagenen, after all, wants to be a good-guy boss, having spent years as an agent cultivating relationships with players. Two of his big moves this offseason were acquiring former clients, Robinson Cano and Jed Lowrie, and he made both at least partly out of a strong belief in what he came to know about them as people as well as players.

Furthermore, BVW has spent the offseason declaring his faith in the 2019 Mets, talking them up as favorites with a bravado that has been well received by the players.

Danny Abriano, SNY.tv | Twitter | Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen said Tuesday that Jacob deGrom setting an Opening Day deadline on contract extension talks was a "mutual understanding," suggesting it shouldn't be viewed as a negative.

However, this situation certainly can't be viewed as a positive -- not on the heels of deGrom being disappointed last week with how the negotiations were going.

So now the Mets are in a precarious spot, under pressure to get something done with deGrom. And if they don't, there's a chance their dream rotation -- the area they've built their entire team around in an effort to contend now -- will fall apart sooner rather than later...

One of the Mets' biggest needs this offseason was improving the catcher position. They not only wanted a solid defensive player, but one that also made an impact in the batter's box. 

Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen ended up signing veteran C Wilson Ramos, calling him "the perfect fit for us" back in December. Ramos has the power bat, strong arm, and defensive prowess at the dish that makes him the everyday catcher heading into Port St. Lucie on Tuesday, as pitchers and catchers officially reported to camp. 

Ramos said he is "100 percent" coming into camp, and has been working hard this offseason to last a full season -- the same goal he had when he signed with the Mets back in December. 

Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen weighed in Tuesday on Jacob deGrom setting an Opening Day deadline on contract extension talks, saying that the team and deGrom's camp came to a "mutual understanding" about the negotiation. 

"The last thing either side wants to do is have it be a distraction once the season starts," Van Wagenen said from Port St. Lucie during a scrum with reporters at Spring Training. 

"I think it's for everyone's best interest so that the focus when the season starts is on the performance of the team," Van Wagenen added...

Valentine's Day is right around the corner, so SNY decided to play the "Baseball Dating Game" with none other than former Mets manager Bobby Valentine. 

With three random players up on the board, Valentine had to choose one to start his team around. Does he go for Player 1, 2, or 3....

Brodie Van Wagenen reiterated on Tuesday that the Mets want to keep Jacob deGrom for the long-term. Now, there's a deadline.

DeGrom -- who is under team control for two more seasons -- has set an Opening Day deadline to get a potential extension done, SNY's Andy Martino confirmed. The Mets open the season March 28 against the Nationals. 

Mets brass met with deGrom's representatives from CAA at the Winter Meetings this past December in Las Vegas (minus Van Wagenen, who was recused because he used to be deGrom's agent), and left with the expectation that a long-term offer was coming. The offer still hasn't come...

Pitchers and catchers officially reported to camp on Tuesday, which means it's the official start to the 2019 season. But many position players have made their way to Port St. Lucie to get early reps in preparation for the first team workout on Feb. 18. 

The Mets come into camp with fresh faces all around -- Robinson Cano, Wilson Ramos, Jed Lowrie, and Edwin Diaz to name a few.

And they were all brought in by the team's new GM Brodie Van Wagenen, who has already been boisterous about the team's postseason and division goals this offseason.

With those expectations in mind, the stage is set for the Mets to begin this new era of win-now baseball under Van Wagenen. And everyone is all smiles at the hop between the lines once again to kick off a new year...

Kyler Murray may be ditching baseball for football, but Tim Tebow remains fully committed to reaching his goal of playing major league baseball. 

The 31-year-old Mets prospect, who is expected to report to Port St. Lucie on Friday for Spring Training, was offered a chance to return to the gridiron and pursue a football career in the new Alliance of American Football League, according to Steve Spurrier. 

The former South Carolina coach, who is head coach of the AAF's Orlando Apollos, told PFT Live on Tuesday that Tebow declined the offer as he continues to pursue his career in baseball. 

Zack Wheeler didn't just turn a corner in 2018, he turned into one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball in the second half of the season. And he attributes it to something really simple.

"I think it was just being healthy," Wheeler said Tuesday morning during an appearance on the MLB Network.

"I was able to actually concentrate on all my bullpens," Wheeler added, noting that the ability to focus on work rather than worry about any kind of health issue helped him reach the next level.

As pitchers and catchers report to Port St. Lucie on Tuesday, Jacob deGrom will be looking to replicate his dominant Cy Young results of last season. But he will do so without a long-term contract. 

DeGrom and the Mets avoided arbitration this offseason on a record-breaking $17 million deal for the 2019 season. It was a sensable gesture to baseball's best starter last season, but it only extended the Mets' time before they offer deGrom an extension. 

Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen knows signing deGrom long-term is something the Mets want to lock down sooner than later.

When Robinson Cano came over in Brodie Van Wagenen's first blockbuster deal as new Mets GM, he was very specific about what he wanted his role to be on his new team. 

And that role is being the Mets' everyday second baseman.

"To be honest, it's hard when you have to move around when you play second base for 14 years," he told SNY's Steve Gelbs back at his introductory press conference with new closer Edwin Diaz. "Hopefully I'll be able to play second base every day."

Jeff McNeil hasn't played in the outfield with any semblance of regularity in more than half a decade. But he's not losing sleep over his transition to come in Port St. Lucie this spring.

During an interview Monday on WFAN, Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen reiterated how he anticipates most of McNeil's playing time coming in the outfield. The 26-year-old has mostly played second and third base since the Mets selected him in the 12th round of the 2013 draft.

"McNeil we see being a primary guy in the outfield," Van Wagenen told WFAN's Mike Francesa. "His focus in spring training is gonna be a transition to the outfield because we think we can be a lethal lineup with a McNeil, (Michael) Conforto, (Brandon) Nimmo outfield against right-handed pitching."

Mets pitchers and catchers will have their first official workout of Spring Training on the back fields of First Data Field on Thursday, Feb. 14.

The games, which start Feb. 23, are fun to watch. It's a sunny, upbeat, breezy environment as you're surrounded by true Mets fans and local old-timers that have been going to games here for over 30 years.

For me, though, if I had to choose, I prefer to attend the workouts, which begin this week...

Jeurys Familia was beaming with excitement on Monday as Mets pitchers and catchers began to unofficially report to Spring Training in Port St. Lucie. 

The right-hander was back with the team he's spent his entire seven-year career with before he was traded to the A's last summer and he could not be more excited about what lies ahead for the Mets. 

Familia, 29, believes big things are in store for the team this season. 

Danny Abriano, SNY.tv | Twitter | With Spring Training for the Mets in Port St. Lucie about to get underway, who will be on the 25-man roster when the team heads north? And what will their roles be? Here's how we see things shaking out...

Starting Rotation (5)

1. Jacob deGrom, RHP
2. Noah Syndergaard, RHP
3. Steven Matz, LHP
4. Zack Wheeler, RHP
5. Jason Vargas, LHP

Endy Chavez is back with the Mets.

The man famous for one of the greatest defensive plays ever will join the organization as part of the Brooklyn Cyclones' coaching staff and will work with Mets minor-league players during spring training, according to Newsday.

The Mets traded for Edwin Diaz and Robinson Cano, and brought back Jeurys Familia, but those weren't the only acquisitions that could pay off for New York in 2019.

Two other newcomers, left-handed reliever Justin Wilson and first baseman J.D. Davis, can also make an impact with the Mets this season.

"I wanted to play for a contender," said Wilson, 31, who recorded 69 strikeouts and a 3.46 ERA in 54 2/3 innings across 71 relief appearances for the Cubs last season. "... What it really came down to was the additions that (GM) Brodie (Van Wagenen)'s made and the ownership and how I felt about them wanting to win."

Baseball Prospectus' 2019 PECOTA (Player Empirical Comparison and Optimization Test Algorithm) projections are out, and they foresee big things from the Mets -- especially the starting rotation.

PECOTA is a system that "takes a player's past performance and tries to project the most likely outcome for the following season. It looks at all of the numbers, and all the numbers that make up the numbers, to see which players are more likely to repeat their success and which ones benefited from good fortune."

When it comes to the Mets' starting pitchers, PECOTA -- a projection system that is notoriously conservative -- sees things shaking out like this...