Mets Expected to Sign Local Boy Joe Panik After Official Friday Deadline

As their roster continues to gel as a 25-man unit, the Mets are bringing in a New Yorker for reinforcements.

John Jay High School standout Joe Panik, known by the masses as a World Series hero for the 2014 Giants, is expected to land with the Mets Friday afternoon, pending some unforeseen complications.

The only thing standing in New York's way, of course, would be a late waiver claim by a non-contender further down the line, which would only be completed out of spite at this point.

Panik, who went from St. John's to the Giants, would be a clear upgrade for a Mets team suddenly devoid of second base talent after losing Robinson Cano to a potentially season-ending injury, and playing Luis Guillorme everyday in his stead. If Jeff McNeil weren't a semi-permanent outfielder now (??), things might be different, but as it stands, there's a perfect chance for a local kid to join a burgeoning team (on the heels of the arrival of Long Island boy Marcus Stroman) and make good once more.

We're rooting for it.