{"id":549154,"date":"2026-02-01T15:53:13","date_gmt":"2026-02-01T15:53:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/549154\/"},"modified":"2026-02-01T15:53:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-01T15:53:13","slug":"mets-morning-news-we-are-issuing-a-warning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/549154\/","title":{"rendered":"Mets Morning News: \u201cWe are issuing a warning\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

Anthony DiComo of MLB.com dove into the outlook for the Mets\u2019 rotation in 2026<\/a> now that it seems more or less set.<\/p>\n

Mets reliever Adbert Alzolay, who the Mets signed to a two-year minor league deal last offseason as he spent 2025 recovering from Tommy John surgery, is healthy and ready to fully participate in spring training<\/a> in 2026 to try to compete for one of the Mets\u2019 bullpen slots.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith [Juan] Soto in his prime and a core of young talent coming up through the Mets\u2019 system, it\u2019s not entirely about the Mets winning this year, but you can be sure the expectation is that they better win soon,\u201d writes<\/a> Mike Lupica for MLB.com<\/p>\n

The Mets\u2019 trade for Freddy Peralta underscores a new trend<\/a> that the Dodgers (like many trends in baseball) have spearheaded: amassing six, seven, or more legitimate big league starting pitchers to prepare for injuries.<\/p>\n

Around the National League East<\/p>\n

Theo DeRosa of MLB.com outlines three things<\/a> that could make the Phillies bullpen better in 2026.<\/p>\n

Mark Bowman gave his thoughts<\/a> on the Braves\u2019 pursuit of a top of the rotation starter.<\/p>\n

The image immortalized on 21-year-old Atlanta Braves prospect Cody Miller\u2019s first Bowman card, recently released by Topps, happened to be taken by his father<\/a>, Brian Miller.<\/p>\n

Cade Cavalli, Dylan Crews and Luis Perales are the three Nationals players Sam Sallick of Federal Baseball is most excited to see<\/a> in spring training.<\/p>\n

Around Major League Baseball<\/p>\n

Tensions are rising around the World Baseball Classic regarding heightened insurance concerns for players<\/a>. Since injuries to Jose Altuve and Edwin D\u00edaz in the previous WBC derailed their MLB seasons, player insurance has become more expensive and the league\u2019s insurer \u201chas become more stringent about which players it approves,\u201d per reporting by The Athletic.<\/p>\n

Because many Puerto Rican stars (like Francisco Lindor) did not receive permission to play in the World Baseball Classic due to these insurance issues, Puerto Rico is considering not participating<\/a> in the tournament. \u201cWe are considering not participating in this edition [of the WBC],\u201d said<\/a> President of the Puerto Rico Baseball Federation, Dr. Jos\u00e9 Quiles in an interview. \u201cIt\u2019s a discussion we\u2019ve already had. If we are not playing under equal conditions, we will not participate. It\u2019s a decision that is almost, almost, made. We are issuing a warning. We\u2019ll see what happens in the coming days and we will make a final decision.\u201d<\/p>\n

One provision in the new WBC insurance rules prevents players\u2019 contracts from being insured after they turn 37. \u201cIt\u2019s not right. I don\u2019t feel it\u2019s right,\u201d said<\/a> Miguel Rojas, who turns 37 on February 24 and therefore was denied permission to participate for his home country of Venezuela.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani will not pitch<\/a> in the WBC, per Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who said it was Ohtani\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n

The Giants signed<\/a> free agent infielder Luis Arr\u00e1ez to a one-year, $12 million deal. He will play second base for San Francisco.<\/p>\n

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com takes a look at which teams may still sign<\/a> Framber Valdez\u2014the top starter remaining on the free agent market.<\/p>\n

Austin Hays, who had been connected to both the Mets and Yankees this offseason, signed<\/a> with the White Sox on a one-year, $6 million deal.<\/p>\n

Yesterday at Amazin\u2019 Avenue<\/p>\n

I wrote about Griffin Canning\u2019s injury-shortened 2025 season<\/a> and how his success presents a reason to be optimistic about the Mets\u2019 pitching apparatus in 2026.<\/p>\n

Lukas Vlahos took a look back at Chris Devenksi\u2019s 2025 season<\/a>, in which he didn\u2019t throw that many innings, but the ones he did throw were good ones.<\/p>\n

This Date in Mets History<\/p>\n

On this date in 2008, the Mets signed<\/a> Johan Santana to a six-year deal. Of course, Santana would go on to throw the first no-hitter in franchise history.<\/p>\n