John From Albany - Breakfast Links 11/27/2019

Monday the Mets decided on Hensley Meulens as Bench Coach.

Tuesday they landed on Jeremy Hefner as pitching coach. 

Hefner, 33 is 4 years younger than Robinson Cano.  As assistant Pitching Coach of the Twins: “Hefner relied heavily on data to concoct pitch-mix strategies and mechanical adjustments for Twins pitchers, much as Mets pitching strategist Jeremy Accardo did upon joining the Mets’ big league staff in June.”

Mike Puma of the NY Post notes that Hefner is young enough to be Phil Regan’s grandson. “I think he brings extra credibility because he’s played in this decade,” said Twins special assistant LaTroy Hawkins, a former reliever who was a teammate of Hefner’s with the Mets. “He still relates to the players very well and his communication skills are off the charts. He gets all the analytical stuff, but understands there is a human element to it that needs to be addressed as well with the players.”

Don’t worry Phil Regan is expected to stay with the Mets.  As 213 Miles From Shea recently posted, Phil is coaching in the Dominican this winter for Toros Del Este where Tyler Bashlor, Chris Mazza, and Daniel Zamora are all currently pitching.  I am guessing if Edwin Diaz and Jeurys Familia show up in the winter leagues, it will be on this team. 

Mets Daddy wished Jeremy Hafner well when he left the Mets organization back in 2015. 

Mets Daddy says the Mets should extend Steven Matz now.  He notes that he moved to the middle of the rubber mid-way through the season: “From July 21 until the end of the season, Matz would make 13 starts going 6-4 with a 3.46 ERA, 1.181 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9, and an 8.7 K/9. Over this stretch, he had a 3.65 FIP. It’s a small sample size, but it is notable his FIP over this stretch was better than what Max Scherzer and Patrick Corbin had.”

One of the best, Metstradamus, has a new post. He offers a “creative” trade idea with Cespedes going to the Rockies.  (Your lips to God’s ears Metstradamus.)

MiLB has the reasons for National League fans to give thanks.  For the Mets it is Ronny Mauricio, Andres Gimenez, Brett Baty, and Mark Vientos.

Mets.com has the best Mets wins of 2019 with video highlights included.

Yahoo Sports looks at Zack Wheeler’s Price tag.  At $100 million could it be too much for the White Sox?

Marcus Stroman raves about Carlos Beltran.  “Just talked to @carlosbeltran15 on the phone. Wow wow wow. The insight and knowledge is insane. Beyond excited to compete for and learn from this man in 2020!”

The Mets Police notes how Howard Johnson will be at the 2020 Queens Baseball Classic.

The Mets Police sticks up for R.A. Dickey.

Metsmerized discusses recent advances by women in baseball.

Metsmerized has an Ahmed Rosario report card.

Mestmerized profiles potential free agent target Brett Gardner. They say “The Mets should at least kick the tires on bringing in the veteran, who would provide depth to their lineup and rotate in the outfield with Nimmo, J.D. Davis, Jeff McNeil, and Michael Conforto.”  I like Brett a lot, but the Mets already have a number of left handed hitters.  Depending on other moves they make, he could be a fit and provide that all important “veteran leadership”.

Mets Minors has the Mets All-Prospect team.  Great idea for a post.  As Franklyn Kilome is on the team they are looking at projected results and not 2019 results.

The Phillies signed Josh Harrison.

Mets fans may enjoy the Good Phight’s season review of Jason Vargas.

MLB reportedly free agent relief pitcher Sam Dyson under Domestic Violence policy.

Former MLB pitcher, Will Brunson, dies suddenly.

Reflections on Baseball asks if you’d like to be Pete Alonoso. He talks about whether or not a sophomore jinx might happen to Pete.

In Winter Ball Last night:

In the Dominican Republic last night, Daniel Zamora came in to get one out in the 8^th inning for Toros Del Este in a 3-2 Toros win.  With the game tied at 2-2 Daniel Zamora gave up a base hit and sacrifice bunt.  Then after an error by the Toros second baseman, Alen Hanson, putting runners at second and third, 6’2” righthander Keury Mella (currently a minor league free agent after pitching in Louisville last year as a starter 5.05 ERA, 6.17 ERA this winter) - came in and struck out the final two batters of the inning, so none of the runners who reached while Zamora was pitching scored. 

Former Met, 42 year old Raul Valdes started that game going 7 innings giving up 2 hits, 2 runs, 3 strikeouts and 3 walks.  In eight games stared this winter Raul has a 2.44 ERA. Happy Birthday Raul.

Jordany Valdespin also played in that same game for Toros Del Este going 2 for 5, and is hitting .323 this winter. 

Australian games will start back up on Thursday.  We will look how League both Jeremy Vasquez and Hansel Moreno did on Friday.

UltimateMets has this date in Mets History:

Born on this date:

• Bill Short (1937)
• Randy Milligan (1961)
• Raul Valdes (1977)

Transactions:

New York Mets traded Bill Denehy to the Washington Senators for Gil Hodges on November 27, 1967.

New York Mets traded Tommie Agee to the Houston Astros for Rich Chiles and Buddy Harris on November 27, 1972.

New York Mets traded Brent Strom and Bob Rauch to the Cleveland Indians for Phil Hennigan on November 27, 1972.

Boston Red Sox signed Skip Lockwood of the New York Mets as a free agent on November 27, 1979.

New York Mets signed free agent Eddie Murray of the Los Angeles Dodgers on November 27, 1991.

New York Mets traded Jerry Dipoto to the Colorado Rockies for Armando Reynoso on November 27, 1996.

New York Mets traded Rico Brogna to the Philadelphia Phillies for Ricardo Jordan and Toby Borland on November 27, 1996.

Cincinnati Reds signed Ricardo Jordan of the New York Mets as a free agent on November 27, 1997.

Cleveland Indians signed Anthony Recker of the New York Mets as a free agent on November 27, 2015.

Mack’s Mets Blast from the Past.  From November 27, 2010, The Mack Report has lots of info on Mets minor leaguers at the time. 
Want more?  Check out https://sportspyder.com/mlb/new-york-mets/news. 
Want something else tracked here each day?  Please leave a comment below.