In N.Y., Dan Martin wrote recent Mets free-agent signings P Adam Ottavino and 2B Jose Rondon are the "latest reminders that this offseason has been unlike any other under the ownership of Steve Cohen." Expectations last year "were sky-high in Queens after another winter of exorbitant spending from the multi-billionaire owner." However, fans "perhaps initially excited" by the addition of President of Baseball Operations David Stearns have seen the Dodgers "continue to spend at a dizzying rate." Additionally, it appears "there’s no urgency to pursue any of the remaining big-name free agents" (N.Y. POST, 2/1).
STAYING SILENT: Rockies owner Dick Monfort has “not uttered any words publicly" this offseason despite spring training beginning in just two weeks. He was a no-show at the Rockies FanFest last Saturday, forcing manager Bud Black and GM Bill Schmidt to "fend for themselves." Monfort also has "yet to explain the team’s TV contract this season" and “hasn’t sent his annual letter to season ticketholders” (Colorado Springs GAZETTE, 2/1).
SWITCHING IT UP: In San Diego, Jeff Sanders noted Padres’ 2024 FanFest will be on March 24, after the Padres have played the Dodgers for the first two games of the MLB season. Both teams start spring training earlier than the rest of baseball as they prepare to play March 20-21 in Seoul, South Korea. The newly renovated Gallagher Square “will be unveiled during a ribbon-cutting ceremony before the start of FanFest.” The admissions to FanFest “is free.” The Padres “issued approximately 150,000 tickets for last year’s event and about 48,000 fans went through the turnstile.” This year’s events will be “more spread out,” in part to ease the flow of traffic in Petco Park (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 2/1).
