PORT ST. LUCIE — I remember when there was a Mayor’s Trophy Game. I remember when George Steinbrenner made beating the Mets in spring training mandatory or else — his own version of March Madness. I remember when the mere sight of each other would evoke a fair level of Subway distaste — if not more than that.
But on Tuesday, the Mets and Yankees turned hostile into hospitable. This was more reunion than resentment.
In the hours before their first of three New York-New York spring games, the ex-Yankees Harrison Bader, Luis Severino and especially Carlos Mendoza hugged and hung with old teammates near the batting cage. The ice-breaker all around was the follicle-free Yankees noting with good-natured derision the beards of Bader and Severino and the goatee of Mendoza.
Aaron Boone joked that his former bench coach and new Mets manager, Mendoza, had “to tighten up” his hirsute pursuit.
It was as if this rivalry had boiled down to hair today, gone tomorrow.
But look deeper. There are bonds beyond just how respected and liked Mendoza was in The Bronx. There are intersections that cross from Queens to The Bronx, similarities that should say a lot about how the season will go in New York:
Pete Alonso vs. Juan Soto
How do the Scott Boras clients handle their walk years? Alonso — baseball biographically — has more in common with Aaron Judge than Soto: the homegrown slugger who the fans are clamoring not to let out the door. How close can Alonso get to Judge’s 62-homer platform season — and, thus, forcing Steve Cohen’s financial hand as Judge did to Hal Steinbrenner?
Harbour ST. LUCIE — I keep in mind when there was a Mayor’s Trophy Diversion. I keep in mind when George Steinbrenner made beating the Mets in spring preparing required or else — his possess adaptation of Walk Franticness. I keep in mind when the simple locate of each other would bring out a reasonable level of Tram aversion — on the off chance that not more than that.
But on Tuesday, the Mets and Yankees turned antagonistic into affable. This was more gathering than hatred.
Within the hours some time recently their to begin with of three Modern York-New York spring diversions, the ex-Yankees Harrison Bader, Luis Severino and particularly Carlos Mendoza embraced and hung with ancient partners close the batting cage. The ice-breaker all around was the follicle-free Yankees noticing with good-natured mocking the whiskers of Bader and Severino and the goatee of Mendoza.
Aaron Boone clowned that his previous seat coach and modern Mets director, Mendoza, had “to fix up” his hirsute interest.
It was as in case this contention had bubbled down to hair nowadays, gone tomorrow.
But see more profound. There are bonds past fair how regarded and liked Mendoza was within The Bronx. There are crossing points that cross from Rulers to The Bronx, similitudes that ought to say a part approximately how the season will go in Modern York:
Pete Alonso vs. Juan Soto
How do the Scott Boras clients handle their walk a long time? Alonso — baseball historically — has more in common with Aaron Judge than Soto:
the homegrown slugger who the fans are clamoring not to let out the entryway. How near can Alonso get to Judge’s 62-homer stage season — and, in this way, constraining Steve Cohen’s money related hand as Judge did to Hal Steinbrenner?
In the mean time, Soto gets to bat before Judge, which might cruel less strolls, but a part more hittable pitches.
Francisco Alvarez vs. Anthony Volpe
At this time final year, Alvarez was positioned the third-best prospect within the majors by MLB.com and Volpe fifth. Both at that point beated tempered cautious desires whereas batting an indistinguishable .209 in lukewarm hostile seasons that had control but as well numerous strikeouts. Their organizations see them as middle-of-the-diamond installations. Can their offense take a step forward to approve the projections?
Luis Severino vs. Carlos Rodon
In Yankees history, only David Cone’s 6.91 ERA in 2000 was worse for a pitcher who made at least 14 starts then Severino’s 6.65 and Rodon’s 6.85 last season. Severino had to sign a make-good, one-year, $13 million contract with the Mets. Rodon lost weight as part of trying to regain trust. Both pitched last season as if their confidence waned — two guys who were used to having elite stuff and dominating hitters trying to cope and react to being smacked around.
Severino kept throwing during the offseason in search of his first fully healthy season since 2018. Rodon arrived in Tampa in January to better build toward the season. Can both/either rediscover the best of themselves?
McNeil has been closed down from recreations with cleared out biceps distress. Mendoza said the group isn’t arranging imaging, a sign of constrained concern. McNeil is doing cautious work and Mendoza said he expects a hitting movement will start to heighten this week with an desire that McNeil will be prepared for Opening Day.
Jeff McNeil vs. DJ LeMahieu
Previous batting champs (in LeMahieu’s case a two-timer) who both created a 96 OPS-plus final season; LeMahieu whereas hitting .243 and McNeil .270. Their flexibility has been supportive over the a long time, but LeMahieu looks generally bolted in at third base and McNeil at moment. LeMahieu had a great moment half and has looked great this spring, empowering the Yankees that he can bring a ingenious sharp before Soto and Judge.
David Peterson vs. Clarke Schmidt
Typically not fair that Peterson was taken with the 20th in general pick in 2017 and Schmidt the 16th. Usually more agent of both clubs (for presently besides) disregarding Jordan Montgomery and Blake Snell on this free-agent advertise and knowing that they will have to be break in reasonable pitching to way better position themselves to re-sign Alonso or Soto and for the most part proceed to be forceful in free organization.
Peterson had hip surgery and will miss at slightest two months. But the Mets still accept there’s a starter in there. They moreover have not given up on Tylor Megill, who likely will step in during the primary few weeks whereas Kodai Senga (bear) recuperates. At that point the Mets have a bunch of beginning prospects in which they truly like Christian Scott, conjointly Dominic Hamel and Mike Vasil, who both ought to surface to the majors this year.
