John From Albany - Breakfast Links 11/26/2019

Looks like the Mets have a Bench Coach as reports are that it will be Hensley Meulens.

The NY Post talks how Hensley learned from one of the best, ex-Met Catcher Bruce Bochy.

SNY.TV says that Gil Patterson is no longer being considered for pitching coach.  Jeremy Hefner is still a strong candidate.

In regards to MLB’s plan to cut minor league teams starting in 2021:

Bernie Sanders sends a scathing letter to Rob Manfred denouncing MLB ‘greed’.

Yesterday FanGraphs had the most detailed analysis of this proposal, including a map of the country with the areas that will be hurt most. 

SNY.TV continues to float possible trade ideas for Starling Marte.  “Scout No. 1: Marte for Francisco Alvarez, Kevin Smith, and Franklyn Kilome; Scout No. 2: Marte for J.D. Davis and Thomas Szapucki; AL exec: Marte for Dom Smith, Gimenez, and David Peterson;

Except for the Mack’s Met crew, not many are saying a Marte trade (especially one which gives away the Mets top prospects) is a bad idea Yesterday, Mike Freire of Mack’s Mets had a great piece about Who is Starling Marte? Besides Mike’s take – lots of great comments from the Mack’s Mets faithful including Mack - “I'm not 100% on trading a chip away for a 30+ year old centerfielder that sold his Gold Glove on Ebay.”  Dallas - with his defense trending downward and his offense seemingly behind our current crop of OF's this would seem like a really really really bad trade.”

Tim Ryder on Twitter also does not like some of the trade proposals.

Matt Cerrone talks to scouts about the MLB chances of the 4 Mets Players recently protected in the Rule 5 Draft.  Andres Gimenez – 100%; Thomas Szapucki – 90 percent; Jordan Humphreys – 75%; Ali Sanchez – 30%;

Reflections on Baseball asks why the Mets or Yankees are not looking at Rick Porcello. “The 2016 Cy Young award winner…who has averaged 30 starts or more with just under 200 innings pitched over the past eleven seasons.”

Reflections on Baseball also asks if Matt Harvey can make a comeback.  “There’s a team out there still willing to take a flyer on Harvey, with the Yankees reportedly at least considering a minor league offer.”

The Mets Police has lots on the Mets Fan Fest and the Queens Baseball Convention this winter.

Mets Daddy talks about the Mets bringing back the black jerseys. “With the Mets soon to embark on the 20th anniversary of that 2000 pennant, there seems to be a recent push to bring back those jerseys.”  Much to Howie Rose’s chagrin.

Mets Daddy also thinks the Braves signing Travis d’Arnaud is bad for the Mets.

Empire Sports Media reviews Rajai Davis year.  (The site includes video of his 3 run homer in his first Mets at bat.)

Amazing Avenue has a podcast with an ode to 2019 Syracuse Mets.

Metsmerized looks at Jeff McNeil’s 2019 increase in power.

Metsmerized also looks at the top 5 offseason acquisitions of the last decade.

Metsmerized interviews Daily News Mets beat reporter, Deeshar Thosar. 

MLB Trade Rumors has the A’s minor league signings.  Eric Campbell is now off the board.

In Winter Ball Last night:

Only one game in the Dominican last night.  No current Mets played.

But Juan Lagares DHed, went 1 for 4 for Aguilas Cibaenas.  He is now hitting .391 this winter.  (And he had a better Defensive Runs Saved than Starling Marte in 2019. Starling Marte’s -9; Juan Lagares -2.)

No Australian games for the next few days.  

UltimateMets has this date in Mets History:

Born on this date:

• Jeff Torborg (1941)
• Richie Hebner (1947)
• Brian Schneider (1976)
• Josh Smoker (1988)

Transactions:

Mets drafted Steve Dillon from the New York Yankees on November 26, 1962.

Atlanta Braves signed Charlie O'Brien of the New York Mets as a free agent on November 26, 1993.

On this date in 1963, Pete Rose was named the NL Rookie of the Year.  Mets Second Basemen Ron Hunt was named on 2 of the ballots. 

Mack’s Mets Blast from the Past.  From December 2008, the Mack Attack lots of things that could be said today – for example: “Adam Rubin on the SP5 opening: ‘Mets officials have said they intend to bring in a low-cost pitcher in January, whether that's on a minor-league contract or one that allows for being cut in spring training with the Mets only on the hook for 30 or 45 days pay.’”

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

Want something else tracked here each day?  Please leave a comment below.