12/26/19

John From Albany – Mets Breakfast Links 12/26/2019


The big news continued to revolve around how, as Mack’s Mets reported on Tuesday, the Mets signed Dellin Betances. 

Mike Puma in the NY Post says the Mets are counting on a risky plan.  “Not long ago, a rotation that slotted in Rick Porcello, Marcus Stroman and Michael Wacha behind the team’s big guns would have sounded downright terrorizing, and a lineup that included Yoenis Cespedes and Robinson Cano wouldn’t have been far behind. Rewind two years and a bullpen featuring Edwin Diaz, Jeurys Familia and Dellin Betances on the back end would have tantalized… Of the eight players just mentioned, the Mets will need at least three or four to approach their old form if they are to take the next step and snap a three-season playoff drought.”

Joel Sherman says that “Dellin Betances is volatile risk Mets had to take. For the Mets, adding Betances to the risk is worth the potential reward. As opposed to Diaz, he has shown he can handle New York, now completing his five borough odyssey: raised in Manhattan, school in Brooklyn, minors in Staten Island, Yankees in The Bronx and Mets in Queens.”

Reflections on Baseball says the Betances signing is “of a team in it to win it.” The writer says “The addition of Betances is a step forward in this direction. If it stops here, the Mets are still a better team than they were yesterday. But given the level of competition coming from the Braves, Phillies, and Nationals – more is needed.”

Elite Sports NY says that Alex Rodriguez endorses the Betances signing.  “Fantastic Christmas gift for the Mets by signing a supreme talent in @dbetances68 (Betances),” A-Rod said on his IG story. He’s hungry and ready to shine in Queens.”

Metsmerized asked if the Mets should add another reliever. They suggest that the Mets may option Robert Gsellman and suggest possible relievers “like Pedro Strop, Brandon Kintzler, Steve Cishek, Craig Stammen, or Francisco Liriano. “


Mets 360 also had that “Bing Devine was an unsung architect of the ‘69 Mets.  The author makes a lot of good points including how it was Devine who convinced George Weiss and Joan Payson to enter the drawing to sign Tom Seaver.




Rising Apple also had five 2020 mets storylines we should expect to see: “Is Amed Rosario a top shortstop in baseball? Are the Mets committed to Noah Syndergaard long-term? Why don’t we appreciate Michael Conforto more? Will the Mets ever move Robinson Cano to the bench? Can the bullpen stay this hot?” 


Syracuse.com had the top five Syracuse minor league moments in the last decade: #5 - Stephen Strasburg show makes a stop in Syracuse.  #1 - The Mets replace the Chiefs. 


Yahoo Sports also had the MLB all decade team.  Good news – it includes a Mets player.  Bad news it’s not Jacob deGrom and it’s for someone who had his best years before he came to the Mets – Robinson Cano. 


MLB Trade Rumors reported that the White Sox will sign Edwin Encarnacion. “…a one-year, $12MM deal that includes a $1MM signing bonus and $11MM salary.”

Mack’s Mets blast from the past comes from December 2010: Mack answered a question from a reader regarding then prospect Zack Lutz.  


No Winter League Games on Christmas yesterday in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, or Australia.  There were games in Mexico, but no current Mets or Mets minor leaguers are playing there. 


Since Mack’s Mets was closed yesterday for Christmas, we have two days in Mets History from UltimateMets:

Born on 12/25:
Died on 12/25:
Born on this date 12/26:
Transactions:

New York Mets signed free agent Scott Holman on December 26, 1979.

New York Mets signed free agent Jim Tatum on December 26, 1997.

New York Mets signed free agent Pete Walker on December 26, 2000.


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

2 comments:

Mack Ade said...

I have more coming up on Belances in my FWIW post this Sunday morning.

Tom Brennan said...

Lots of risk with this Mets team, but they are rolling the dice - I think they will win a big jackpot in 2020