John From Albany - Breakfast Links 11/18/2019

Syracuse Mets and Rule 5 Draft eligible Harol Gonzalez was in action yesterday in the winter league.  We have the results below in the Winter League update. 

One of the big stories this offseason is how MLB is proposing to cut the affiliation of 42 Minor League Cities.

Mack posted about this back in October.

Yesterday, the New York Times listed all the potential cities, including Binghamton.

Saturday Bill Madden had a story about it and explained how MLB’s move will result in lots of lawsuits.

Metsmerized said that the Cyclones could replace Binghamton as the Double A Mets franchise.

Tough news for Binghamton, they just spent $5.1M to upgrade the stadium.  It is another blow to an area that has been hard hit over the past decade. Hopefully they will figure this out.

It is understandable though.  When I go to the Binghamton games, I am almost always able to get seats right behind home plate just a half hour or so before the game starts.

At least this year Binghamton will have the Eastern League All Start Game.

As UltimateMets had yesterday that was included in the Breakfast links, yesterday was Tom Seaver’s Birthday.

The Mets Police showed how MLB can’t get a simple Happy Birthday Tweet correct.  The Reds.  Seriously?

Faith and Fear in Flushing says Happy Birthday to Tom as only they can.

SNY.TV talks about the Mets Roster crunch and JD Davis as a potential trade target.  Mack’s Mets pointed out in October that in 2019, JD Davis had the best year in Citi Field’s 11 year history hitting .354 with 16 HRs and 33 RBIs in 206 at bats.  With it being difficult to hit in Citi Field, you may want to hold on to someone who can hit there. 

Mike’s Mets reviews Wilson Ramos’ 2019 season.  An A.

Amazing Avenue reviews Drew Gagnon 2019 season.  I think they sum up his status very well.  “Gagnon is out of options with the Mets, and doesn’t seem likely to be a lock to make the bullpen on Opening Day. Clearly, Gagnon has some value as a depth piece, but given the plans to rework the bullpen this off-season, he may not get another chance to pitch in the majors in blue and orange.”

Joel Sherman says that the Mets are looking at Steve Karsay for Pitching Coach.  The same Steve Karsay that gave up the famous “911” Home Run to Mike Piazza. Steve is now the Brewers Bullpen coach. Metsmerized had a great post about Steve’s take on that pitch back in 2013.

Tim Healey of Newsday says that Brodie seems inclined to hold onto prospects.  Brodie specifically talks about Kilome and Peterson and says: “We feel like we’re in a position where we can continue to hold those players unless there is an overwhelming deal that knocks our socks off,” Van Wagenen said. “We like our farm system. We feel like it continues to grow. We hope that will be the case in this year’s draft as well and the international markets, and then we’ll try to see if there’s any trades that exist from either prospects or 0-to-3 players off our roster, but right now it’s way too early to answer that.”

Rising Apple suggests three Mets trades they should consider, Ken Giles, Clint Frazier, Jakob Junis, Ian Kennedy.

The Rising apple has a nice article about Rick Reed.

Mets360 Says that a healthy Brandon Nimmo is an impact player.  “He’s below-average defensively in center field, he strikes out too often and his batting average is nothing to write home about in most years and was downright bad last season. On the flip side, he’s got great OBP skills, underrated power, is a good baserunner and he’s average or better defensively in an outfield corner.”

SNY.TV has some advice for Carlos Beltran from Joe Torre.  “Never forgot what it was like as a player” and a few other things.

I had talked about this in the Breakfast links yesterday, but missed this from Reflections on Baseball: The Wilpons are broke again. 

From a couple of days ago, SI.com lists a bunch of trade ideas.  Thor to the Padres? Mookie Betts to the Yankees?  Marcus Stroman to the Astros?

In Other Baseball News the St. Louis Post Dispatch talks about the Robinson and Clemente Families getting the Branch Rickey award for innovation in the game of baseball next January at the St. Louis Baseball Writers Association of America writer’s dinner.

In Winter Ball Last night:

Harol Gonzalez did not get out of the first inning giving up two hits, two walks and two runs with no outs.  Harol saw his ERA go from 4.30 to 5.52 for the Winter.  

Mack says not to worry as Harol is just trying to get work in as he continues to try to build up innings after throwing just 137.2 innings last year for Syracuse and Binghamton. 

Sam Haggerty’s team, Leones del Escogido did not play but is on the schedule for Monday.

UltimateMets has this date in Mets History:

Born on this date:

• Jay Hook (1936)
• Cal Koonce (1940)
• Steve Henderson (1952)
• Gary Sheffield (1968)
• Allen Watson (1970)
• Matt Wise (1975)

Transactions:

New York Mets traded Jeromy Burnitz and Joe Roa to the Cleveland Indians for Dave Mlicki, Paul Byrd, Jerry Dipoto and Jesus Azuaje on November 18, 1994.

Arizona Diamondbacks drafted Cory Lidle from the Mets on November 18, 1997.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays drafted Carlos Mendoza from the Mets on November 18, 1997.

New York Mets traded Mike Cameron to the San Diego Padres for Xavier Nady on November 18, 2005.

Mack’s Mets Blast from the Past from 10 years ago. Mack gives some advice for re-constructing the franchise.  Wise then, wise now.

Want more?  Check out https://sportspyder.com/mlb/new-york-mets/news.  

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