John From Albany – Mets Breakfast Links 1/30/2020

Lots going on with the Mets and the MLB’s plan to contract Minor League Teams.

Mack’s Mets Reese Kaplan will have more on the Minor League contraction proposal later this morning.

MiLB sent a letter to MLB on Wednesday and MLB responded. 

We linked yesterday the Boston Globe article on the House of Representatives Resolution imploring Major League Baseball to abandon its proposal to strip major league affiliations from 42 minor league teams across the country.

In addition, Mets Minors noted: “Representative Anthony Brindisi, who represents the Binghamton area, joined the Resolution, and said, ‘Minor league baseball and the communities that support it are part of the fabric of America and its favorite pastime. I joined my colleagues, from both parties, to call on Major League Baseball to work with Minor League Baseball and preserve affordable, family friendly fun.’”

Per Yahoo Sports: Minor League Baseball accuses MLB of making misleading statements.

More on the Resolution form NBC Sports.

SNY.TV had video of Luis Rojas talking about his managing experience in the minors: "The first (benefit) is all the experiences that you go through," Rojas said. "Interacting with players. Different cultures. Different methods of teaching. Collaboration with fellow coaches. Just different things. From a developmental standpoint, that's (the biggest benefit). As far as games, somebody told me one time, 'You're going to learn how to lose games in the minor leagues.' And that is true. And it helps. And losing games and watching stuff unfold teaches you how to win, too. And it taught me how to win."

Per SNY.TV Mets GM Jim Duquette believes the Mets made the right move in passing on Starling Marte: "I think they did (make the right move)," Duquette said. "When I talked about a (potential Marte) deal earlier in the year, they were upper-level guys, but they didn't have us much upside. I think Malone and Peguero are going to be Top-100 prospects. Not this year, but within a year or so.”  For the record Jim Duguette suggested the Mets trade Andres Gimenez, Franklyn Kilome, and Mark Vientos of David Peterson for Starling Marte.

John Harper of SNY.TV had 5 Mets with Plenty to prove this year: Yoenis Cespedes, Robinson Cano, Edwin Diaz, Marcus Stroman, and Noah Syndergaard.

Also per SNY.TV: Baseball America says Mets signed top international pitching prospect of 2019.  They note how Venezuela's Robert Dominguez threw 99 MPH this last summer.

MiLB profiled new Brooklyn Cyclones Manager Ed Blankmeyer.

Yahoo Sports had: Kris Bryant lost his free-agency grievance, but his fight proves MLB players deserve every dollar they get.

Brian Joura of Mets 360 said: Mets hope for durable and dominant Dellin Betances.

213 Miles from Shea continued to look at how Baseball America’s 2019 Top 30 Mets Prospect did last year with #26 Chris Viall.

Also from Yesterday here is 213 Miles from Shea’s look at #27 Tony Dibrell.

Faith and Fear in Flushing discussed the three Mets selected to the Mets Hall of Fame: Ron Darling, Edgardo Alfonzo, and Jon Matlack.

Signstealingscandal.com did an amazing analysis on the Houston Astros can banging in 2017: “I decided to listen to every pitch from the Astros’ 2017 home games and log any banging noise I could detect.”  This included 49 pitches to J.D. Davis where the writer detected 14 bangs (28.6%).  

Per the Joy of Sox: After 2018, The Red Sox Offered Mookie Betts 10/300. He Countered With 12/420.

Per Bleacher Report: Red Sox May Wait for MLB Investigation Results Before Hiring Manager.

Per MLB Trade Rumors:

MLB Trade Rumors listed Free Agent spending by each NL Team. Mets were 8^th highest: $24.35MM on four players (Dellin Betances, Rick Porcello, Michael Wacha, and Brad Brach; top 50 signings: three).

Cubs To Sign Jeremy Jeffress.

The Nationals acquired righty Ryne Harper from the Twins for righty Hunter McMahon.

Scott Kazmir Launches Comeback Attempt.

Giants To Re-Sign Pablo Sandoval.

Per SNY.TV Mets reportedly had interest in Pablo Sandoval before he re-signed with the Giants.

Winter Ball:

The Caribbean series is scheduled to start this Saturday in Puerto Rico and run to Friday February 7^th.  We will be watching for any Mets and ex-Mets.

Historical Links:

Mack’s Blast From the Past comes from January 30, 2012: Mack and Company looked at Baseball expanding the Playoffs. 

UltimateMets has the date in Mets History:

Born on this date:

• Charlie Neal (1931)
• Davey Johnson (1943)
• Nick Evans (1986)

Transactions:
New York Mets signed free agent Joe Ginsberg on January 30, 1962.

New York Mets released Dave Kingman on January 30, 1984.

New York Mets signed free agent John Valentin on January 30, 2002.

Toronto Blue Jays signed Victor Zambrano of the New York Mets as a free agent on January 30, 2007.

New York Mets signed free agent Robinson Cancel on January 30, 2007.

New York Mets signed free agent Shaun Marcum of the Milwaukee Brewers on January 30, 2013.

Also per National Pastime.com:

2009	The Mets avoid salary arbitration with John Maine (10-8, 4.18) when both sides agree to a $2.6 million, one-year deal. The 25 year-old right-handed starter, who missed the last five weeks of the season due to an injury to his pitching shoulder, is expected to play a significant role this year in the team's pitching rotation.

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

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