Mets are not even best in division

Improvements just a start

Good morning, all! Hope your midweek is going well!

Even before the reprehensible story about now ex-New York Mets GM Jared Porter broke late Monday night, I had it in my mind to write about the Mets’ prospects in the National League East. So I will stick with that subject matter.

No question the Mets are an improved club. They will probably get even better, before the season starts. But unless billionaire owner Steve Cohen is about to sign every high profile free agent, they are not even the best club in their division.

With word the Washington Nationals and pitcher Jon Lester have reached agreement, the last team to win a full season World Series title has a formidable top of the rotation. It is always a big if, but if their top three pitch to expectations, Matt Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Lester will keep the Nats a contender.

Do not rule out the Atlanta Braves. They are, after all, the defending NL East Division champions. The Braves are young, talented and playing with a purpose, after just missing out on a World Series berth.

Do you think the Phillies are going to play under .500 ball for a second season in a row under manager Joe Girardi? I don’t think so. Not with Dave Dombrowski calling the shots.

The Miami Marlins became one of the toasts of the 2020 post season under manager Don Mattingly. Their young players are now a year older, a bit more mature and have a playoff resume to boot. Don’t count them out.

Are the Mets going to finish last? Probably not. But even with further improvement, they have work ahead, playing in arguably the toughest division in baseball. I would not start printing World Series tickets just yet.

Urban renewal for Jags

How big is the hiring of Urban Meyer as new coach of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars? Since the hiring of Meyer, 50% of the team’s season-ticket money has already been deposited. Toss in that the Jags have the overall number one draft pick, and you have the recipe of a football revival in Jacksonville.

Augusta National wants you, maybe

Augusta National Golf Club, home to The Masters, is or was hiring. What makes this story somewhat unusual is ardent followers of the famed club can never recall A-N-G-C advertising job vacancies. The story on Golf.com indicated that two positions were posted on Linked In, but a link to Augusta National brought up the following:

Someone once told me never take “no” for an answer, so if you are intent on landing that coveted job at Augusta, send a resume. You never know. But as the writer of the Golf.com story suggested, be sure that one of the perks includes golfing on the course.

Patriots shake up to continue?

And speaking of “no,” several stories are emerging that New England Patriots OC Josh McDaniels is the front runner to become the next coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. Apparently, McDaniels had an impressive interview with the Eagles’ hierarchy on Sunday.

If offered the post McDaniels is in a position where he cannot say “no.” After successful tenures on coach Bill Belichick’s staff, McDaniels was a flop as Denver Broncos head coach, then backed out of the head coaching position with the Indianapolis Colts, annoying many. At age 44 McDaniels would be considered young by most standards, but these days the NFL is trending toward assistant coaches younger than McDaniels to become head coaches. In other words, the coaching parade could be passing him by should this opportunity be offered and he rejects it.

That’s it for today. As always, thank you for your support and keep enjoying your week.

SPORTSCASTER DAN