In DC, Scott Allen notes the Nationals have "offered a reprieve to season-ticket holders affected" by the partial shutdown of the federal government. The club announced that employees or the spouses of employees of federal agencies "may postpone their monthly ticket payments beginning this month." Once the federal government reopens, the “next scheduled payment will be for the amount of the full missed payment(s)." Subsequent payments will return to "normal monthly installments," until the account is "paid in full by June 15." If the federal government remains shut down on Feb. 1, season-ticket holders’ Feb. 15 payment "will be postponed." If the federal government "remains shut down on March 1, season-ticket holders’ March 15 payment will be postponed" (WASHINGTON POST, 1/8).
THE WRIGHT STUFF: In N.Y., Kevin Kernan notes former MLBer David Wright, who retired at the end of last season, "has been named" a special advisor to Mets COO Jeff Wilpon and Exec VP & GM Brodie Van Wagenen. A source said that the Mets also have "reached a settlement with their insurer on the remainder of Wright’s contract" -- $27M through '20. Wright has "built a strong relationship" with Mets Chair & CEO Fred Wilpon through the years, and "don’t underestimate the value of that relationship as Wilpon has rarely put that kind of trust into any former Mets player." The Mets are "taking a page from the playbook" of Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein, who has "welcomed former players into his inner circle" (N.Y. POST, 1/8).
GREAT EXPECTATIONS? In Milwaukee, JR Radcliffe noted the Brewers, who advanced to the NLCS last season, "expect this year's 'Brewers On Deck' to sell out of tickets for the first time ever." The annual fan festival scheduled for Jan. 27 will see "numerous members of the organization" on hand at the Wisconsin Center in downtown. The event "has never had to turn fans away ... until now" (JSONLINE.com, 1/7).
