Episode 61: Actual, Meaningful(ish) Mets Baseball!

The Rising Apple Report returns for its 61st episode, where we have actual competitive baseball to discuss! Dan Haefeli returns to take the hosting duties, with  Andrew Battifarano and Cassandra Negley rounding out the table.

With news coming out this morning that Carlos Torres is likely guaranteed a spot in the bullpen this season, it seems to slowly be taking shape. Bobby Parnell, Vic Black, Scott Rice, and Torres are likely locks to come north, leaving three spots for Josh Edgin, Jeurys Familia, Gonzalez Germen, Jenrry Mejia (should he fail to make the rotation), John Lannan, and others. We'll discuss who we think should make the major league club, and what this group needs to do to become a strength unlike the 'pens of past.

With nearly a week of Spring Training games in the books, we'll take a look at who's impressed us thus far and who we thought we'd see more out of. The long-unheralded battle for first base is, of course, on pause as both Lucas Duda and Ike Davis have been nursing minor leg injuries.

Speaking of the team, General Manager Sandy Alderson ostensibly thinks highly of them; he told team brass that he expects 90 wins (a comment he stood behind when asked by reporters). David Wright is on board, are we? What does this team have to do to make it to 90 - without Matt Harvey?

And, though there isn't much to discuss, we'll look into the history of the number 61 with the Mets. Who wore it best?

Find out, and tune in for 30 minutes of your favorite Mets talk tonight at 6:30!