Today's NY Back Pages and Mets Headlines: 2/17/26

Good Morning.  Born Today Roger Craig. 

Mets YouTube Channel: Steve Cohen Press Conference 2/16/26

SNY on YouTube: Christian Scott on Injury Progress

Ernest Dove: My New York Mets Top 30 Prospect List: #20, Boston Baro

Mets YouTube Channel: Carlos Mendoza Press Conference 2/16/26

PRESS RELEASE: NEW YORK METS TO HOST ANNUAL SPRING TRAINING CLINIC FOR CHAMPIONS

Steve Cohen Wants a Win:

• 'Annoyed' by inconsistency, Mets owner focused on building perennial contender (MLB.com)
• Steve Cohen 'absolutely annoyed' by Mets missing the playoffs and not yet winning a title (Newsday)
• The limits of Steve Cohen’s Mets patience are being tested (NY Post)
• Steve Cohen on Mets failure to win World Series under his ownership: ‘Yeah, I’m annoyed, I’m absolutely annoyed’ (Daily News)
• Steve Cohen 'absolutely annoyed' as Mets World Series drought continues (The Record)
• Steve Cohen ‘annoyed’ with lack of postseason success during Mets ownership tenure (The Athletic)

 

Steve Cohen’s ‘No Team Captain’ Culture:

• Cohen: 'There will never be a team captain' as long as he owns Mets (MLB.com)
• David Lennon: Steve Cohen's 'no captain' policy for Mets quashes any lingering controversy (Newsday)
• Steve Cohen puts emphatic end to Mets captain debate (NY Post)
• Why Mets will never have a captain under Steve Cohen (Daily News)
• Steve Cohen declares no Mets captains as long as he's owner (The Record)
• Mets’ Steve Cohen draws hard line on ‘captaincy’ label (NJ.com)
• Steve Cohen says there'll never be a captain while he owns Mets (ESPN)
• Mets ‘will never’ name a team captain under owner Steve Cohen (The Athletic)
• Steve Cohen says Mets will 'never' name captain while he owns team, despite sentiment for Francisco Lindor (Yahoo! Sports)
• Mets owner Steve Cohen says club won’t have a captain as long as he’s in charge (AP)
• Mets Send Francisco Lindor Message After Steve Cohen’s ‘Captain’ Decision (Forbes)

 

More Steve Cohen:

• Mets owner Steve Cohen blasts Dodgers, Edwin Diaz responds (NY Post)
• With expectations rising, Mets' Steve Cohen sets no-nonsense approach for 2026 season (SNY)
• Key Takeaways From Steve Cohen’s First Spring Comments (SI.com)
• Kyle Tucker 'Annoyed' Mets Owner Steve Cohen (SI.com)

 

Pitcher Updates:

• Mets are betting big on a ‘changed’ pitcher: ‘I’m feeling really comfortable’ (NJ.com)
• Mets former top prospect back in spotlight with heater that ‘explodes’ (NJ.com)
• Christian Scott reminding Mets of his rotation potential in return from elbow surgery (SNY)

 

The Mike Tauchman Deal:

• Mets add veteran Tauchman to right field picture on Minors deal (MLB.com)
• Mike Tauchman joins crowded Mets outfield on minor-league deal in potential depth boost (NY Post)
• Sources: Mike Tauchman agrees to minor league deal with Mets (ESPN)
• Mets add Mike Tauchman to outfield competition mix on minor-league deal: Sources (The Athletic)
• Mets Sign Former Yankees Outfielder to Minor League Deal (SI.com)

 

More Mets News:

• How excited was Mets' top prospect to meet Soto? It's not exactly fit to print (MLB.com) 
• Rangers’ Corey Seager responds to ‘toxic’ Marcus Semien relationship rumors (NY Post)
• The Mets have plenty of questions to answer, but so do their fiercest NL East rivals (NY Post)
• Corey Seager Talks Report of ‘Toxic’ Relationship with Marcus Semien (SI.com)
• Sean Manaea Hopes This Change Can Help Recapture 2024 Form (SI.com)

Born on this date:

• Roger Craig (1930)
• Juan Padilla (1977)
• Stephen Tarpley (1993)
• Thomas McIIraith (1994)
• Jesus Anton (2006)

Died on this date:

• Red Ruffing (1986)
• Brock Pemberton (2016)
• Tony Phillips (2016)

Transactions:

Chicago Cubs signed Jerry Morales of the New York Mets as a free agent on February 17, 1981.

Colorado Rockies signed John Maine of the New York Mets as a free agent on February 17, 2011.

New York Mets signed free agent Dana Eveland on February 17, 2014.

Miami Marlins signed Eric Campbell of the New York Mets as a free agent on February 17, 2018.

From National Pastime.com:

1976	Future National League Cy Young Award winner Mike Scott pitches a perfect game for Pepperdine against California Lutheran University. The right-hander, who will throw a no-hitter as a major leaguer for the Astros, will be selected by the Mets in the second round in the June draft.