John From Albany – Mets Breakfast Links 12/16/2019

In the latest in the MLB contraction of Minor League cities, Sporting New.com reported on Bernie Sanders issuing a letter in response to MLB’s threat to walk away from MILB entirely. 

Per The Hill: “I’m outraged to hear of your threat to eliminate the entire existing Minor League Baseball system,” Sanders wrote in his letter.  “When we last met, you gave me your word that you would be negotiating in good faith with Minor League Baseball to preserve professional baseball in the communities that currently have it," he added. "Threatening to walk away from the entire minor league system is the exact opposite of negotiating in good faith.”

Per the Des Moines Register on Sunday, Bernie also met with former Iowa minor league baseball players, Iowa team leaders, and advocates as part of his fight against the contraction.  After the meeting he took batting practice.

Yahoo Sports had reactions from Major League executives on why they think the proposed moves would be better for baseball.  ”Mark Shapiro, president and CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays…’I’m just trying to run a business and do the right thing. And to promote the game that I love, that I’ve committed 30 years of my life to, not 30 minutes of my life. I’m not going to get into a debate with him (Sanders). But I feel like there’s not a staff member giving me a briefing document. This is my life. I’m living this. I’ve lived it for 30 years. I’m never going to go toe to toe with him on domestic policy. But I will go toe to toe with Bernie Sanders on professional baseball.’”

Also from Yahoo Sports they had how Reds Pitcher Trevor Bauer said: “’At least Rob Manfred is trying to ruin baseball at all levels and isn't discriminating. Something to be said for consistency, I guess.’”

Metsmerized says that need a big season form Syndergaard in 2020. “In 2019, Syndergaard put up a 4.28 ERA, 3.60 FIP and a 3.83 xFIP in a career high 197.0 innings pitched….But if Syndergaard can return to 2016 form, it will soften the blow of losing Wheeler and will give New York another bona fide ace in their rotation.”

Metsmerized says that Michael Wacha is Jeremy Hefner’s first test as Pitching Coach.

Empire Sports Media says the Mets Offseason priority is to get Edwin Diaz right. “Jeremy Hefner, the new pitching coach, has already identified helpful information that will help Diaz. According to Anthony DiComo, he has data that can contribute to a turnaround, including release point information, body mechanics, velocity, and slider break.”

Rising Apple has 5 reasons to get excited about the Mets 2020 pitching staff. “Jacob deGrom’s Cy Young defense, again; A full year of Marcus Stroman; More brilliance from Seth Lugo; Noah Syndergaard has something to prove; Edwin Diaz can only get better, right?”

Rising Apple says the Mets should not trade Brandon Nimmo. “Nimmo is an on-base machine who is also a good hitter, fast, young, and cheap. The combination of all these factors, which does not even include the fact that he is a fan favorite, should make it difficult for the Mets to let go of him.”

Rising Apple also says the Mets had a productive off season so far. “All things considered, the Mets came into this offseason with a pretty complete team. We have a lot of good young players and depth at most positions and solid four starting pitchers in the rotation. Bringing in a few veterans on short and cheap contracts was a smart move and gives the team financial flexibility in the future.”

Amazing Avenue wants you to get to know Rick Porcello.  “After signing Wacha with his perhaps higher upside but penchant for injury, Porcello—who was never made fewer than 27 starts in a season—provides an innings-eating presence at the back of the rotation—think Jason Vargas with more upside and hopefully nicer to reporters.”

Elite Sports NY says that, despite the Gerrit Cole signing, Jacob DeGrom is still the best pitcher in NY.

Reflections on Baseball said the Mets gave Cespedes his just desserts. 

Metsmerized says the Mets have gotten calls for Jeff McNeil.  “The New York Mets have gotten calls from multiple teams who are interested in acquiring Jeff McNeil according to Tim Healey of Newsday. Healey noted that the while the Mets have listened to these teams’ what-if scenarios, they have resisted from having any serious trade talks regarding McNeil.”

SNY.TV had video with the top 6 moments for Jeff McNeil in 2019.

The Mets Police asks in Pete Alonso is Ike Davis, the next generation. He continues to advocate that the Mets trade high on Pete.

The Denver Post reported how juiced balls will be an issue in 2020 for the Rockies and other teams. “Major leaguers mashed a record 6,776 home runs last season, 2,590 more than they hit in 2014. In fact, four of the top five home-run seasons in major league history have come in the past five years. But what about the theory advanced by Houston Astros all-star pitcher Jason Verlander? He was among many players who’ve said that the baseball “felt different in the hand.” He also accused MLB of purposely boosting baseballs to inject more offense into the game. “Major League Baseball’s turning this game into a joke,” Verlander told ESPN during the all-star break. “They own Rawlings. If any other $40 billion company bought out a $400 million company and the product changed dramatically, it’s not a guess as to what happened.”

The Mets Police also had post about how the NFL Raiders were asked to consider Shea Stadium as a destination back in 1986.

Madison Bumgarner signed a 5 year $85M deal with the Diamondbacks which MLB Trade Rumors details. 

Yahoo Sports reported that the Giants had made a 4 year $70 Million offer to Bumgarner.

MLB Trade Rumors also reported that the Rangers acquired right-hander Corey Kluber from the Indians, for right-handed reliever Emmanuel Clase and outfielder Delino DeShields, Jr. 

Yahoo Sports had how the bat that Babe Ruth used to his his 500^th home run was auctioned for $1 Million.

Yesterday, all three games in the Dominican league were postponed due to wet grounds.  We will see if they get made up today. 

Mack’s Mets blast from the past comes from December 2008: Mack’s Pre-Exhibition Mets Prospect List featuring Daniel Murphy and others.

UltimateMets has this date in Mets History:

Born on this date:

• Tom Gorman (1957)
• Chris Jelic (1963)
• Chris Jones (1965)
• Hector Santiago (1987)

Transactions:
New York Mets signed free agent Rusty Staub of the Texas Rangers on December 16, 1980.

New York Mets traded Charlie Puleo, Lloyd McClendon and Jason Felice to the Cincinnati Reds for Tom Seaver on December 16, 1982.

New York Mets signed free agent Jonathan Hurst on December 16, 1993.

New York Mets signed free agent Doug Linton on December 16, 1993.

New York Mets signed free agent Rick Parker on December 16, 1993.

New York Mets signed free agent Jim Lindeman on December 16, 1993.

New York Mets signed free agent Rickey Henderson on December 16, 1998.

New York Mets traded Tsuyoshi Shinjo and Desi Relaford to the San Francisco Giants for Shawn Estes on December 16, 2001.

New York Mets signed free agent Mike Stanton of the New York Yankees on December 16, 2002.

New York Mets signed free agent Pedro Martinez of the Boston Red Sox on December 16, 2004.

Florida Marlins signed Wilson Delgado of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 16, 2004.

Kansas City Royals signed Doug Mientkiewicz of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 16, 2005.

Toronto Blue Jays signed Lance Broadway of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 16, 2009.

New York Mets signed free agent Ryota Igarashi on December 16, 2009.

San Francisco Giants signed Justin Ruggiano of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 16, 2016.

Washington Nationals signed Tommy Milone of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 16, 2017.

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

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