Photo by Ed Delany, MMN
While the collective bargaining talks remain at an impasse, and the lockout continues, the New York Mets have begun Spring Training. It’s Spring Training with non-roster invitees only.
As dubbed by Tim Healey of Newsday, it’s a “minor-league mini-camp — leading into minor-league regular camp.” The Mets top prospects are in attendance.
That includes Francisco Alvarez. The Mets top prospect told reporters he is pushing to make it to the majors this season.
Twenty-year-old Francisco Álvarez, the Mets' top prospect, says his goal is to make the Majors this year: pic.twitter.com/qybbEgxWnm
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) February 18, 2022
It should be noted Alvarez and all the Mets prospects in attendance are not going to be paid. As previously reported by Evan Drellich of The Athletic, during pending litigation in federal court, MLB has asserted minor leaguers need not, and will not, be paid for Spring Training as they will instead receive “life skills.”
It should be noted not every top prospect will be in attendance. Due to the lockout, minor leaguers who have been added to the 40 man roster are locked; and therefore, cannot attend Spring Training.
That includes Mark Vientos. Vientos is one of the Mets top prospects and their top major league ready bat. Due to his presence on the 40 man roster, he cannot report and work to improve his defense and other aspects of his game.
Other Mets prospects who are ineligible for this Spring Training include Jose Butto, Adam Oller, Travis Blankenhorn, Khalil Lee, and Nick Plummer. That is even the case for players like Butto, Oller, Plummer, and Vientos who have zero service time.
Right now, the Mets Spring Training opener is scheduled to be played against the Miami Marlins on February 26. So far, that game has not been officially canceled, and we do not know if MLB intends to have these minor leaguers play in those games.
What we do know is there remains a lockout, but we are getting some form of baseball with minor leaguers reporting early for this mini-camp. Where we go from here is anyone’s guess.
