Will Sammon

New York Mets Beat and MLB Writer at The Athletic

Reporting on the New York Mets and MLB as a senior writer for The Athletic; appearing as a contributor for SNY.

Articles

Is Jeff McNeil the answer?

6 days ago | nytimes.com | Will Sammon

NEW YORK - In the aftermath of Jose Siri being out "a while," as manager Carlos Mendoza put it, because of a fractured leg, center field emerged as an intriguing position to watch for the New York Mets. They're keeping their options open. They've started Tyrone Taylor, who was splitting time with Siri, in center field for five straight games. They selected Jose Azocar, known for defense and speed, from Triple A when they placed Siri on the 10-day injured list Thursday.
Marlins have been willing to make trades early but might wait longer to move Sandy Alcantara

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Will Sammon

For those indulging in early trade scenarios as the season approaches the halfway point of its first month, heed the humdrum message: The Miami Marlins, people familiar with their thinking said, haven't yet decided whether they'll deal Sandy Alcantara. And why would they? There is no pressure to make such a call; the July 31 trade deadline remains more than three months away.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s new megadeal with Blue Jays sends aftershocks throughout MLB

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Will Sammon |Patrick Mooney |Katie Woo

After disappointing fans with their failed pursuits of Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto, Toronto Blue Jays executives will hold a Monday news conference at the Rogers Centre, where they will reintroduce Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as a franchise pillar and take a victory lap. The aftershocks from Guerrero's new 14-year, $500 million extension are still being felt throughout the baseball industry. The Chicago Cubs are certainly feeling it.
Brett Baty's latest chance with Mets is not going well

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Will Sammon

NEW YORK - For the fourth straight season, the New York Mets have provided Brett Baty an opportunity. This one is different for a few reasons. Second base is new for him. Jeff McNeil, the incumbent second baseman, is working his way back from an oblique injury. And in the meantime, Baty is splitting time with Luisangel Acuña. All that to say, with fresh context, this chance is all about what Baty makes of it.
What could Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s extension with Blue Jays mean for the Mets' Pete Alonso?

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Will Sammon |Tim Britton

NEW YORK - From Pete Alonso's perspective, any focus on his contract situation would be a disservice - his words - to the New York Mets because the season is underway. But, yes, certainly Alonso holds enough awareness of the reported extension between the Toronto Blue Jays and first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to recite the large numbers himself: 14 years, $500 million.
What makes Mets so confident in comebacks? 'We really believe it every time'

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Will Sammon

NEW YORK - With the New York Mets trailing late in the game on a chilly, wet Saturday night, Pete Alonso prophesied to his teammates, "We're going to have great at-bats and we're going to win this game."Hearing Alonso's words, Francisco Lindor, Mark Vientos and Brett Baty each swapped confident looks at one another as if to say in response, "Yeah, we're going to win this game."Across the league, that kind of sentiment gets shared inside dugouts plenty of times late and close.
Pete Alonso's power making up for Mets' outages elsewhere: 3 takeaways

3 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Will Sammon

MIAMI - In their most dramatic game through the first week of the season, the New York Mets pulled out a come-from-behind 6-5 win over the Miami Marlins in 11 innings Wednesday for their first series victory. "Crazy game," Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. After finishing the road trip at 3-3, the Mets host the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday for their home opener at Citi Field. Here are three takeaways from the series against the Marlins. Pete Alonso is locked in.
'I won't let that happen again'

3 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Will Sammon

MIAMI - By the time New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza approached third baseman Mark Vientos early Wednesday about failing to hustle on a grounder during Tuesday night's game, the 25-year-old had already heard from others. After the game, star shortstop Francisco Lindor and first base coach Antoan Richardson spoke to Vientos. Along with outfielder Brandon Nimmo, Lindor is one of the Mets' clubhouse leaders. They essentially told him, "Hey, don't let that happen again."Vientos got the message.
The Kodai Senga whisperer? Mets' new assistant coach hits it off with pivotal starter

3 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Will Sammon

MIAMI - Kodai Senga is a perfectionist who likes to work out kinks by throwing. Sometimes, he can overdo it. Also, he desires a certain amount of one-on-one time from a pitching coach. Add in the necessity for an interpreter, and conversations after a bullpen session with Senga can easily surpass the average length of such a chat with other pitchers. New York Mets pitching coach Jeremy Hefner wasn't always able to spend such an extensive time with Senga, especially last year.
Pete Alonso tunes up for Mets home opener with a grand slam in win over Marlins

3 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Will Sammon

MIAMI - Ignore all the empty seats and just listen to the crowd scream, " Peeete!" as Pete Alonso enters the batter's box. Sense the anticipation as the stadium goes silent with the delivery of every pitch. Appreciate the rhythmic roaring of " Let's Go Mets! " when Alonso connects for his first home run of the season, a grand slam. Not bad for 1,300 miles away from home, right? OK, OK. LoanDepot Park is not Citi Field.