John From Albany – Mets Breakfast Links 2/12/2020

Happy Birthday to Todd Frazier, Lenny Randle, and Guillermo Granadillo. Luis Rojas, Michael Conforto, Dellin Betances, and Noah Syndergaard spoke to the Media plus MLB’s crazy playoff idea is still in the news.  So, let’s hit the links:

SNY.TV had video clips of the Rojas Press Conference: On the Syndergaard-Ramos connection - "They're great teammates and they get along so great," he said. "I happened to be around them yesterday and they're going to work together. They're gonna work in collaboration."; 

On Yoenis Cespedes' expectations - "We don't have a timeline. He's running, he's hitting. I've had conversations with him, but I don't have a timeline yet," Rojas said. "The performance staff is working on his progression and we're going from there."

The other big quote was - "We expect to be a contender," he said. "We know how all the teams are prepared. We're going to be in a tough division and we're going to face some tough teams this year in our schedule and we know that. We feel that we're built to win."

On the Rotation, Deesha Thosar of the Daily News had this quote from Rojas: ““It probably won't be a surprise that Jake (deGrom) is probably on Opening Day,” Rojas said. “But we're not defining roles yet of 2, 3, 4, 5 or sixth starter. We're not there yet. We're going to sit back and have fun watching these guys pitch in spring training.”

Mike Puma of the NY Post had this quote from Rojas: “We have a great roster. We have great position players with versatility. We have a great starting rotation with pitchers that have the history, Cy Youngs, World Series winners and a bullpen with a lot of history saving games, being closers, so it’s a team that is built to win. Right now, the thing that is going to keep us moving and moving to the direction we want to go, is spring training. It starts [Wednesday].”

SNY.TV had clips and quotes from Michael Conforto’s Press Conference, on Luis Rojas Michael said: "Top to bottom we all respect him, all have respected him, have all loved him as a coach. I'm really excited for him. ... He came up with us, so I think there's that kind of respect we have for him as well. He kinda grinded it out with us in the minor leagues and now he's here with us, so that's a pretty cool thing."

Joel Sherman of the NY Post talked about Luis Rojas’ tricky power, stress balance as Mets’ modern manager: Regarding the extra resources manager have today Joel says – “Yet, I would argue that the major league manager has a tougher job than ever. Because he has to know so much more about so much more. He has to manage up to his bosses and down to the clubhouse with the proper blend of tact and sternness. He has to meet reporters more than ever — often twice a day from the beginning of spring training to the end of the year...”

Per SNY.TV: “Dellin Betances at Mets spring training: 'I'll be ready for Opening Day'”.

Per SNY.TV: Mets' Noah Syndergaard on vaunted slider: 'It seems to be back to where it was'

MiLB interviewed Rob Whalen on his return to the Mets.  In the article Rob talks extensively about his problems in Seattle and his new hope with the Mets: "Coming to the [St. Lucie] complex for the first time in several years ... it felt like I never left. I'm so excited to be back with the Mets," Whalen said."

About that expanded playoff idea?

No less than Bob Costas supports the idea.  From the NY Post: “Something like this is going to happen,” Costas told The Post. “Generally speaking, I’m in favor of it. I find the concept behind it appealing. I find the television aspect appealing. The more meaningful postseason games you have, the better. I’m good with all of that.”

Joel Sherman takes aim against baseball purists that don’t like the idea.

Luckily Mike Vaccaro of the Post says the playoff plan is preposterous.

12up.com had more on the proposed new playoff plan with this: “MLB pundits, like ESPN's Buster Olney, are convinced that small market teams will be presented the opportunity to overcome financial discrepancy and make the postseason. (Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Alex) Wood rightfully disagrees and backs his vantage point perfectly, specifically noting that the Kansas City Royals just sold for $1 billion (!). It proves that small market clubs that deploy rosters with paltry payrolls doesn't necessarily mean they are struggling with finances.”

Danny Abriano on SNY.TV says “The idea of playoff expansion is not crazy, but Monday's reported proposal was”. 

John Fox of Mets 360 says: Pete Alonso leads a deep first base crew.

213 Miles from Shea had: “Get To Know a Non-Roster Invitee: Ryley Gilliam.”

Metsmerized continued their 2020 Top 30 Mets Prospects: No. 16 Freddy Valdez, OF.

SI.com had the biggest losers of the offseason: The Astros, the Red Sox, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, and…Jacob deGrom?: “Before the 2019 season, deGrom signed a five-year, $137.5 million extension with the Mets, beginning in 2020. Had he not done so, the 31-year-old would have been a free agent this winter in a robust market for top-tier starters. Most likely, he could have signed for seven or eight years and made at least a quarter-billion dollars, more than what Stephen Strasburg got to re-sign with the Nationals.”

Thanks to Reese for sending me this story:

USA Today had a great article on Ed Lynch who is now selling Real Estate.  Lynch “decries analytics: 'I'm not bitter ... just confused'”

Binghamton University received a $60 million donation for new Baseball facilities.

MLB.com looked at who has the best fastball in each Major League Organization.  For the Mets it is Matthew Allan: “The ultra-projectable 18-year-old righty’s fastball already touches 97 mph on a regular basis and he maintains that velocity deep into starts. He adeptly drives the ball down in the zone but can also pitch up with his fastball, showing good command of the pitch both in and out of the strike zone.”

Per MiLB.com they continued their ranking of the top farm systems for position players.  In the #’s 20-11 group, the Mets were listed at #17.  About the Mets they said: “At just 18 years old, Ronny Mauricio headlines a crop of young talent in a rising Mets system. The switch-hitting shortstop put together a solid campaign at Class A Columbia, hitting .268/.307/.357 in 116 games, and was named a midseason South Atlantic League All-Star. Given his age and room to grow (especially in the power department), the Mets will continue to push Mauricio harder in 2020…With most of the Mets' young talent in the lower levels, the team has plenty of room for growth.”

Here is their #30-21 Group: Milwaukee was ranked #30, Astros #29, Yankees #24.

12up.com had new of a story from The Athletic with more information on Carlos Beltran’s role in the sign stealing scandal: “The report claims that Beltran, upon arriving in Houston in 2017, told the Astros that they were "behind the times" when it came to stealing signs. Brian McCann even reportedly approached Beltran about stopping the affair, but his efforts were for naught.”

Per Elite Sports NY: “The report says that Beltran “bullied” and “bulldozed” his way through the clubhouse to get his way. He was given nicknames like “the Godfather” and “the King”.”

Ken Davidoff in the NY Post on this story wrote: “It remains imperative to question the Mets’ overall competence as we wonder why they didn’t probe further before hiring Beltran.”

Per AP News: “Marwin González became the first batter from the 2017 Houston Astros team that won the World Series to publicly apologize for his role in the sign-stealing scandal, expressing regret Tuesday after reporting to spring training with the Minnesota Twins.”

Per Elite Sports NY: “Former New York Mets reliever John Franco slams the Astros for sign-stealing scandal”

Per Yahoo Sports: “Astros sign-stealing scheme was reportedly one of the worst kept secrets in MLB: 'Everybody knew it'”  The article contained this quote: “The team’s cheating became so well known that advanced scouts would make notes in their reports about the Astros stealing signs. Opposing teams and players became so frustrated with the situation that they tipped off the Nationals before the 2019 World Series. The Nationals defeated the Astros in seven games.”

According to NBC Sports Boston, it was Alex Cora who tipped off the Nationals.

Also NBC Sports Boston wondered "Is Ron Roenicke just keeping seat warm for Alex Cora's return to Red Sox?"

From SNY.TV: Pete Alonso took a friendly jab at Noah Syndergaard saying that he can work out without a shirt as well. 

Per Yahoo Sports: “Epstein claims 'no hard feelings' between Cubs, Bryant.”

NBC Sports Boston: “Chris Sale will be slow to start spring training.”

Per APNews: The San Diego Padres have agreed to minor league deals with outfielder Juan Lagares and infielder Gordon Beckham, a person familiar with the agreements told The Associated Press.

Per MLB Trade Rumors:

Red Sox Name Ron Roenicke Interim Manager.

Red Sox Sign ex-Met Cesar Puello.

Red Sox Nearing Deal With Kevin Pillar.

Cubs, Jason Kipnis Agree To Minor League Deal.

Cubs Still Discussing Kris Bryant Trade Scenarios.

Phillies Hope For 2nd Half Return From David Robertson.

Shohei Ohtani Expected To Return To Mound In Mid-May.

The Orioles announced they’ve claimed infielder Ramon Urias off waivers from the Cardinals.

Mariners To Sign Carlos Gonzalez.

Giants To Sign Trevor Cahill.

Rockies Win Arbitration Hearing Against Tony Wolters.

Mariners Sign Manny Banuelos To Minor League Deal.

Blue Jays pitching prospect Eric Pardinho underwent Tommy John surgery earlier today and will miss the entire 2020 season as a result.

Mack’s Blast From the Past comes from February 12, 2013 – Mack had 5 Questions with… Gotham Nation’s Mark Healey.  They talk about Mainstream Media Vs. New Media, Brandon Nimmo and more. 

Per Ultimatemets.com:

Born on this date:

• Francisco Estrada (1948)
• Lenny Randle (1949)
• Ruben Amaro (1965)
• Dennis Springer (1965)
• Tim Redding (1978)
• Todd Frazier (1986)
• Guillermo Granadillo (1997)

Transactions:
Baltimore Orioles signed Ray Knight of the New York Mets as a free agent on February 12, 1987.

Montreal Expos signed Rick Cerone of the New York Mets as a free agent on February 12, 1992.

New York Mets signed free agent James Baldwin on February 12, 2004.

New York Mets signed free agent Chris Aguila on February 12, 2008.

New York Mets sold Matt Reynolds to the Washington Nationals on February 12, 2018.

National Pastime.com had this date in Mets history:

2011

"Doris From Rego Park" makes its debut on Jonathan Schwartz's weekend program on WNYC-FM. The song, written and performed by Don Rosler, is a tribute to Doris Bauer, the Mets fan who became a New York institution as a late-night caller to WFAN sports radio before she died in 2003.

2016

Jenrry Mejia becomes the first player to receive a lifetime ban for three failed tests for performance-enhancing substances, after testing positive for boldenone, a steroid used in horse racing. The 26 year-old Mets former closer claims that he only failed one test, states the second sets of results to be inaccurate, and believes that MLB fabricated the latest violation to remove him from the sport.

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