John From Albany - Breakfast Links 11/25/2019

Tyler Bashlor was in action last night in the Dominican winter leagues. We have winter ball updates below.  But first, the Mets news from around the internet.

Thanksgiving is this Thursday which means Mets writers will be assigning out their anti-awards.

The Mets Police gets it started with his Turkey awards. 

I am sure Bill Madden of the NY Daily News will be releasing his 2019 Turkey awards this week.  Here are his winners from last year that included Derek Jeter, Mickey Callaway, and Robinson Cano. 

In my mind the biggest Turkey of 2019 is MLB’s idea to cut the number of farm teams starting in 2021.  As Bill Madden of the NY Daily News sited the other day: the action will result in tons of bad will for baseball, lawsuits, hurt growth of the sport, all for “the total savings for MLB from top to bottom would be roughly a $20 million in an industry that grossed in between $11-12 billion in 2019 – or less than a fifth of 1%.”  

It is not the kind of move a sport looking to grow makes.

As MLB Trade Rumors reported Saturday Night, MLB attendance slipped 1.5 percent in 2019, adding to a cumulative 8.5 percent drop dating back to 2012. Joe Sheehan of Baseball America places much of the blame for this attendance swoon at the doorstep of the “rebuilding processes that are leading to unwatchable baseball”. 

MLB Trade Rumors has that the Mets have interviewed Gil Patterson for the Pitching Coach job. 

Empire Sports Media talks about Hensley Meulens being a strong front-runner for Mets Bench Coach.

Braves sign Travis d’Arnaud to two years 16 Million contract.  The NY Post says he has the chance to torment the Mets.

The Tomahawk Take says the Braves have three center fielders, maybe one too many?

That Ball is Outta Here profiles Phillies outfield left unprotected for the Rule 5 Draft, Jhailyn Ortiz.

The Mets Police has how Marcus Stroman wants to bring back the Mets Black Jerseys.

Mets360 talks about Michael Conforto and the expectations for a signature season.

From a couple of Days ago, Call to the Pen has the 2010 all decade Mets team.

On SNY.TV, John Harper wrote about how the each NL East team will approve in free agency and the offseason. For the Mets he says: “I think it's realistic that they'll trade with the Pirates for Starling Marte, though that would further deplete a farm system that is practically barren at the top levels. And they'll almost certainly sign a couple of bargain-bin relievers to add bullpen depth, if not the quality they need.” 

Robinson Cano likes the Beltran hire.

MLB.com is already looking at the Free agent pool for next year and lists every team’s biggest potential free agent.  For the Mets, Yoenis Cespedes, not Marcus Stroman?

Mets.com relives the funniest moments in Mets history. 

Metsmerized online updated how Starling Marte could be a fit for the Mets.  (Mack’s Mets will have more I this later today.)

Metsmerized online thinks Lefty Alex Wood could be a good option for the Mets.  “Wood, 28, appeared in just seven games for the Cincinnati Reds in 2019 as he battled a back injury that began in Spring Training and resurfaced in the summer.”

Mets Minors says that Stephen Gonsalves Could Prove to Be Crafty Pick Up By Mets.   Slowed by arm injuries over the last couple of years. “The 6’5” left-hander made a rapid ascension through the Twins’ system, thanks in large part to a solid three-pitch mix made up of a fastball that sits 88-91 with glove-side run, an average curveball that sits in the low-to-mid 70s, and a strong, 60-grade changeup with plus-sinking movement, his best offering.”

Amazing Avenue has a Podcast with Matthew Silverman, the author of Shea Stadium Remembered.

Amazing Avenue over the weekend also broke down the Mets 2020 payroll and some prospective roster moves vis the Pokemon gotta catch them all song. 

Faith and Fear and Flushing talks about the Mets Youth movement last year and Mets Youth Movements in the past.

Mets Daddy gives the details about the Mets “Blue Friday” sales and the chance to get your picture with Mr. or Mrs. Met.

The Syracuse Mets will have a Flex Plan ticket package available this Black Friday.

In Winter Ball Last night:

Tyler Bashlor made his third winter ball appearance throwing 1.1 innings in an 8-6 Toros Del Este win (Box).  Tyler came in the 7^th with two out, two runs in and a runner on first.  The runner stole second but Tyler struck out the batter to end the threat and the inning.  In the 8^th, he induced a soft pop up back to him, a fly out to center field, a line drive single, and a line out to third base to end the inning.  Over all last night, one hit, one strikeout, no runs.  In 3 games this winter, Tyler has thrown 3.1 innings, not given up any runs on 3 hits total and 5 strikeouts, no walks, 0.90 WHIP. 

Jordany Valdespin played in that game as well hitting his third home run of the winter.  Jordany is hitting .320 this winter. 

Looks like there will be no Australian games for the next few days.  I will keep looking.

The Australian Baseball League site talks about the opening weekend in the league.

UltimateMets has this date in Mets History:

Born on this date:

• Chico Walker (1958)
• Shingo Takatsu (1968)
• Octavio Dotel (1973)

Transactions:

New York Mets traded Paul Byrd to the Atlanta Braves for Greg McMichael on November 25, 1996.

New York Mets released Doug Henry on November 25, 1996.

San Francisco Giants signed Kevin Roberson of the New York Mets as a free agent on November 25, 1996.

Florida Marlins signed Willie Collazo of the New York Mets as a free agent on November 25, 2008.

Mack’s Mets Blast from the Past.  From November 2010, Mack’s Mets had more on the Terry Collins hire that month. 

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

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