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1/28/20

John From Albany – Mets Breakfast Links 1/28/2020


The Mets sign former Draft Pick Rob Whalen to a minor league deal and they pass up an opportunity to get Starling Marte.

Per SNY.TV: Pitcher Robert Whalen announced on his social media Monday that he is returning to the Mets. The Mets originally selected the righty in the 12th round of the 2012 MLB Draft, but in July 2015, he was traded in a package deal to the Atlanta Braves. The deal landed the Mets veteran infielders Kelly Johnson and Juan Uribe.

Mack talked about Rob in his FWIW column this past Sunday: “Folks, this was another poorly handled prospect that is young enough (25) to be given one more chance, at least at the AA or AAA level.”  Thanks to Mack, he got it.

Per MLB Trade Rumors the Arizona Diamondbacks Acquire Starling Marte. “The Snakes announced on Monday that they’ve acquired outfielder Starling Marte from the Pirates. High-upside youngsters Liover Peguero and Brennan Malone are going back in return, along with $250K in international spending money moving to Pittsburgh. The Pirates will also reportedly pay down $1.5MM of Marte’s remaining obligations.

Andy Martino of SNY.TV explained why the Mets didn’t trade for Starling Marte: “But the Mets made a really aggressive push for Marte right after the new year. They were willing to offer some prospect talent, and perhaps some major-league talent, but those conversations ended pretty quickly because they came away thinking the Pirates wanted a couple of top prospects or Brandon Nimmo or a Dom Smith.  In addition to Nimmo, the Pirates floated the Mets' No. 1 overall prospect -- SS Ronny Mauricio -- during the discussions. Martino reported Monday after news of the trade surfaced that the Pirates' asking price for the Mets was ‘unreasonable.’”

Per Mike Puma of the NY Post: “The Mets backed off, according to sources at the time, because they didn’t believe they would be receiving equal value for Nimmo, a first-year arbitration eligible player who will earn $2.18 million this season. The 31-year-old Marte will earn $11.5 million this season. His contract also contains a club option for 2021 worth $12.5 million.”

Baseball Prospectus listed their top 101 2020 prospects.  Three Mets made the list: #48 - Ronny Mauricio, SS; #88 - Francisco Alvarez, C; #90 - Andrés Giménez, SS.  Here are their overall top 7: #1 - Wander Franco, SS, Tampa Bay Rays; #2 - Jo Adell, OF, Los Angeles Angels; #3 - Gavin Lux, SS/2B, Los Angeles Dodgers; #4 - Adley Rutschman, C, Baltimore Orioles; #5 - MacKenzie Gore, LHP, San Diego Padres; #6 - Luis Robert, OF, Chicago White Sox; #7 - Jarred Kelenic, OF, Seattle Mariners.

Mets.com had starting rotation predictions for all 30 MLB Teams.   For the Mets it is: 1) Jacob deGrom; 2) Noah Syndergaard; 3) Marcus Stroman; 4) Rick Porcello; 5) Steven Matz.



NBC Sports Washington had “Scott Boras vehemently disputes the Jose Altuve buzzer-cheating rumors”. ”There is nothing to any form of electronic dynamic," Boras said. "The Commissioner's office studied it. Everyone knows it."

Washington Nationals site, District On deck , looked at howthe Nationals would fare against the Mets in 2020.  They predict the Nationals will win the 2020 season series 10-9.  The Mets won the 2019 season series against the Nats 12-7, including 8 of the last 10.  They feel in 2020 “The biggest difference maker might be newly acquired relief pitcher Will Harris. Harris will help a Nationals bullpen that had the worst bullpen ERA in the majors last year and also struggled to preserve leads.”

Per Yahoo Sports: RedSox exec starts GoFundMe for family of baseball coach killed in Kobe Bryant crash.




Brewers Sign Shelby Miller To Minor League Deal.



Winter Ball:

Last night in the Dominican Republic, the Final Series continued with Phil Regan’s Toros Del Este beating the Tigres del Licey 8-0 (box).  The Toros Del Este now leads the 9 game series 4-3. 

It was a scoreless game until the bottom of the seventh when the Toros broke out with an 8 run inning featuring 3 home runs including a two run homer from Jordany Valdespin.

Raul Valdes started for the Toros, went 5.1 shutout innings giving up 4 hits, 2 walks, 3 Ks.

Tim Peterson was the first pitcher to relieve Raul and retired the only batter he faced, Jorge Bonifacio, on a pop-up to first baseman Peter O’Brien.

Jordany Valdespin played right field and went 1 for 3, with the above mentioned two run homer, a walk and a HBP.  He also hit into two double plays. 

Per Baseball Reference.com: The top two teams from the round robin go on to a nine-game championship series to determine the league's champion. The league champion then goes on to the Caribbean Series.

Historical Links:

Mack’s Blast From the Past comes from January 28, 2011: Mack looked at players in the upcoming 2011 June Draft: Alex Silver, Anthony Rendon, Danny Muno, Zack MacPhee, Dwight Smith, and Nolan Fontana.

UltimateMets has the date in Mets History:
Born on this date:
Transactions:
New York Mets selected Ken Singleton in first round (third pick overall) of free agent draft on January 28, 1967.


New York Mets signed free agent Benny Ayala on January 28, 1971.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays signed Tom Martin of the New York Mets as a free agent on January 28, 2002.

New York Mets signed free agent Todd Zeile of the Montreal Expos on January 28, 2004.

New York Mets signed free agent Mike Matthews on January 28, 2005.

Houston Astros signed David Newhan of the New York Mets as a free agent on January 28, 2008.

New York Mets signed free agent Val Pascucci on January 28, 2010.

St. Louis Cardinals signed Ronny Cedeno of the New York Mets as a free agent on January 28, 2013.



2009
Aaron Heilman is traded for the second time this offseason when the Mariners swap the 30 year-old right-hander to the Cubs for utility infielder Ronny Cedeno and southpaw Garrett Olson. Seven weeks ago, the Mets dealt the much-maligned reliever to Seattle as part of a three-team trade that included the Indians.


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

16 comments:

  1. Kelenic # 7, Mauricio # 48...so it is clear why Ms wanted Kelenic in that deal and not another.

    Rob Whelan 1-3, 5.75, 1.19 WHIP in 36 big league innings. Not terrible at all. Why can’t he be a NY Met this season at some point?

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  2. A Benny Ayala mention. I was at the game with my parents in 1974 when Ayala hit a homerun in his first major league at bat.

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  3. It'll be interesting to compare stats of Nimmo/Marte as the season progresses.

    Is Tim Peterson no longer Mets Property? I don't remember seeing any notice of a trade or release last season.

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  4. Bill. Tim Peterson was released at the end of the season.

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    1. His minor league #s weren't bad at all. If he hasn't signed elsewhere, I wonder if he might be brought back on a MnL deal.

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  5. If Nimmo is healthy, I think he will have significantly higher OBP than Marte in 2020

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  6. Nimmo may have better defensive numbers as well in CF.

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  7. Two things:

    Did you guys watch MLB Now last night and how they basically crapped all over the Astros, including pointing out moments that the Astros were jumping on very good pitches throughout the season and playoffs last year and they had to have definitely been cheating? Wow. I mean, they went tore Altuve apart for his uniform grab after showing how he was all over an 84 mph curveball from a guy that throws 100, and how that doesn’t make sense.

    Also, it seems Colorado is actually more motivated to move Arenado. If they acknowledge the opt out and the high rate, what package would they take? Should the Mets do it? How about Dom Smith, Vientos and David Peterson?

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  8. Texas Gus. Arenado's home/away splits scare me. Sure his contract scares Wilpons. Your trade proposal would work for me. Rockies might want more. Can they take Cano as part of the deal?

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  9. See Tom.

    Even I wrote something nice about Danny Muno back in the day.

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  10. Mack, Muno was a star who got snuffed out. Kidding aside, his rookie season in low-offense Brooklyn was impressive...59 G, .355/.466/.514. Those #'s screamed "future major leaguer" but as it turned out, nearby Brooklyn can be a MIGHTY LONG WAY from Flushing.

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  11. TexasGus, I would do that trade, even (as John notes) being scared of his home/away splits. 7 straight gold gloves

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  12. How To Use Robbie Cano

    First off, he Lord does not want us using or judging anyone.

    Signed,

    Church Lady

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  13. More Seriously on Cano

    The way I see i is like this.

    Robinson Cano is indeed a very valuable player here with these NY Mets, and for several reasons: 1. He still can hit "lights out" and like a 24 year old can on aggressive batting. 2. Cano's fielding is still solid and professional. 3. After getting use to this NY Mets team in 2019 (as well as its fans and obsessed press) I noticed that Robinson had no problem imparting his knowledge of the game onto other players (like Ahmed Rosario) who seemed to do not only listen to Robinson but also take what he had learned and put it to very good use on the field especially. 4. My take is simply that Robinson Cano probably (if wanting to after he retires) would make either an outstanding coach/manager/GM/Sports color commentator, much like others have done before on MLB/SNY/WOR/ESPN.

    Having said all this, I would trade him now.

    Just kidding.LOL

    Yes, I would platoon Cano with McNeil on second base. With most weekly schedules being six games long on average, I would split both players with three games apiece. Then have Jeff McNeil sub-in at the two corner outfield positions (giving him five games starting per week) and then sub-in Robinson Cano at third base one game (probably for JD), giving Cano four games starting per week.

    The key here is sort of two-fold.

    Every NYM player needs at least one game off per week to try and stay fresh and healthy until playoff time 2020, and this should happen. Robinson (to me) is the captain here, and his input, vision and understanding of this game would greatly benefit the Mets in 2020. And Robinson should stay healthy and well rested too in this way.

    Jeff McNeil just needs to play five games. Let's face it, Jeff McNeil could play on the moon, he's that kind of a terrific athlete. His weekly schedule would be three at second, and one each in left and right field, which he could do with eyes closed.

    Bingo. Win/win.

    LGM!

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  14. NY Mets "Kid Crew" I hope to see in Spring Training, just so I can see how good and possibly ready each one is. Where they are at, in other words.

    1. Tyler Megill (RHRP) AA

    2. Ryley Gilliam (RHRP) AAA

    3. Ali Sanchez (C) AAA

    4. Robert Dominguez (Rookie Ball, 97 mph fastball master)

    5. Tim Tebow (OF) AAA

    6. Adonis Ucetta (P) AAA (Look at his combined 2019 AA/AAA stats!)

    7. Brandon Lee (OF) AAA

    8. Matt Blackham (RP) AAA


    NYK Sneak In

    The Knicks (to me) are wasting time or some reason beyond my own understanding and sort of conceding this season by doing so. I disagree if this statement is true.

    The NYK have some really good younger players here right now, almost too many to even get everyone into the games. They need to get two units honed down and now, trading away maybe some younger players who to date (and after two seasons) maybe are not grasping well the NBA game through fan observation.

    The Knicks need really, just one more really good and young center to head up the unit opposite the one Robinson does.

    Why are the Timberwolves sort of considering trading Karl-Anthony Towns you ask?

    A: Reason 1: He has now habitual knee issues, probably of the ligament kind. Within, the past 12 months he has been out because of his right knee injuries exactly six times. It involves Karl's range of motion it has been reported online.

    Reason 2:

    Quietly, the Timberwolves have an outstanding 20 year-old center (6'10"/260 pounds) from the LSU Tigers by the name of NAZ Reid. Right now on Minnesota, NAZ is averaging 7 points in 10 minutes.

    There is video on NAZ Reid all the way back to when he was just 13 years old playing. He's good.

    If the NYK can get this kid away from Minny, and not spend the kid's inheritance (somethin like $30.0 mill a season) on Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns (with the loose knee thing) it would be something truly great! I (Mr. Kazoo) command you to "Make the NYK Great Again!"

    The other two centers that I really do like a lot too are these: A. Myers Leonard (Pat's boy on Miami) B. Jonas Valaciunas (The Beast Man of Memphis)

    So what am I really trying to say here with all this you ask?

    A: I have no clue actually, just venting really. LOL

    No, rather, the Knicks need to quit wasting so much precise time trying to see how Towns is with the loose knee thing and all, and just get someone now who could be a game changer, like here I have mentioned. Keep the drat picks and build a young champion. You can do it!

    Every NYK game that is close going into the middle of the third quarter, is like dejavu to me. What happens is that the first unit has played by then too much, and is breathing heavy for air like a 90 year old man mesothelioma. The NYK slows down, stops getting offensive rebounds, does not get back on defense as smoothly on transition. While the other team seein this turns it up running their game assault and taking full advantage of this slower obvious NYK pace.

    Solution?

    Two units, with the one matching up and playing better garnishing 60% of the game's floor time. And refraining from mixin and matching players from the two units. Stayin the course with the two set units.

    And get SF's Wooten and Bradzeikus into the two set unit scheme.

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  15. I liked (a lot) what I saw on you tube regarding Rob Whelan. Has nice velocity and downward fastball drop. The BP Inn is getting full. May have to trade one or two.

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