John From Albany – Mets Breakfast Links 2/4/2020

Baseball season must be here because there was lots of baseball posts all over.  That and the Caribbean Baseball series continued in Puerto Rico. 

MLB.com has all the upcoming spring training dates.  Pitchers and catchers report date, Monday, Feb. 10; First pitchers and catchers workout, Wednesday, Feb. 12;

A number of articles about Edwin Diaz:

Per SNY.TV: Mets' Edwin Diaz ranked a top-10 reliever by MLB network.  “Diaz only had 26 saves and a 5.59 ERA in his first season in Queens, but there's optimism that Diaz can produce a bounce-back season next year with his youth in mind.”  Here are the other pitchers listed: 1. Josh Hader, Milwaukee Brewers; 2. Kirby Yates, San Diego Padres; 3. Aroldis Chapman, New York Yankees; 4. Liam Hendriks, Oakland Athletics; 5. Roberto Osuna, Houston Astros; 6. Brad Hand, Cleveland Indians; 7. Will Smith, Atlanta Braves; 8. Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers; 10. Nick Anderson, Tampa Bay Rays.

Kevin Kernan of the NY Post had: “Luis Rojas opens up about new Mets approach, fixing Edwin Diaz.” About Diaz Luis Rojas said: “I saw Edwin last week and he has worked so hard in Puerto Rico just to get himself in the kind of shape where he can perform from Day 1 and be consistent. The key for him is going to be his game preparation and the stuff he is doing now that will carry over. … Always maintain his confidence. He’s got a great group of guys around him and I think that is something that is going to help him out.”

Per Metsmerized online: “Regarding Diaz, CJ Nitkowksi of MLB Network said “There’s enough of a track record. This guy should be an absolute force. […] I would take him in a heartbeat.”

Metsmerized talked about 3 spring training battles to watch at Mets camp.  These include Closer, Back-up catcher, Final Bullpen spot.  Regarding the backup catcher battle they note this about Ali Sanchez: “the 23-year-old catcher threw out 44% of base stealers last season, the fourth best mark in the Eastern League”.

Tim Boyle of Rising Apple talks about the “Mets Spring Training Battle: Tomas Nido vs. Rene Rivera for backup catcher.”  He notes: “In this battle, Nido has a clear advantage. Rivera is on a minor league contract and Nido is out of options. If Rivera wins the job, they could lose Nido for good. With a Nido victory, the team can proceed with caution and allow Rivera to continue on with the Syracuse Mets until needed in the show.”

Per SNY.TV: Noah Syndergaard talked about new Mets Manager Luis Rojas: “I'm really excited Luis got the job," Syndergaard said. "He's been with the organization a long time. He's the kind of guy you want to go out there and give your all for. He's an absolute freak in the weight room, too, so it's really cool to be able to see."

SNY.TV also had: Bobby Valentine says communication is key for new Mets manager Luis Rojas.

Elite Sports NY reported that the cover of the February edition of ESPN Desportes magazine will feature Mets First Baseman Pete Alonso.

Pete is also on the cover on the box of Topps Series One 2020 Baseball cards to be released tomorrow. (Another sign spring is coming.)

Here is the checklist to the new 2020 Topps cards.  Zack Wheeler still in a Mets card. 

The Brooklyn Cyclones announced the full coaching staff: Joining manager Ed Blankmeyer will be Josh Towers (Pitching Coach), Rafael Fernandez (Hitting Coach), Benny Distefano (Bench Coach), Anthony Olivieri (Athletic Trainer) and Wyatt Briggs (Performance Coach).

213 Miles from Shea continued reviewing Baseball America’s 2019 Top 30 Mets Prospects with #22 Carlos Cortes.  Elliot Teichman provides his usually good insights including this: “Also an important note, he’s ambidextrous. Throws left when he’s in the outfield, throws right when he’s at second. That’s pretty neat!”

Mets Minors looked at their #19 prospect: CF Alexander Ramirez.

Amazing Avenue summarized their Top 25 Prospect list. 

Metsmerized interviewed Jon Updike, the former Met Scout who signed Pete Alonso and Matthew Allan.

Also per Metsmerized: Eno Sarris of The Athletic ranked the top 175 starting pitchers for fantasy baseball heading into the 2020 season.  Jacob deGrom was ranked #1; Noah Syndergaard was ranked #14. Zack Wheeler ranked #24.  One surprise me was recently signed minor league free agent, Pedro Payano, at # 162.    

Chris Flanders of Mets 360 wrote: “Trading for Kris Bryant: A winning move the Mets must make.”

Empire Sports Media asks should the Mets trade for Kris Bryant?: Here is one of the points – “The Cubs will make offers similar to what the Pirates asked for Marte. Bryant has better numbers and a better future than Marte does. Marte is on the wrong side of 30, and Bryant is just entering his prime as a player. Trading away key players like McNeil and Davis for Bryant, on top of prospects, just to make room for Bryant, is a terrible gamble for the Mets to make.”

NJ.com discusses a Kris Bryant to the Yankees rumor.

Reflections on Baseball: Trading Dominic Smith recalls the Twins dumping of “Big Papi”.

Reflections On Baseball also said that “Jacob deGrom’s remarkable Koufax like run puts him in line for the HOF”.  He notes: “Like Koufax, deGrom is totally dominating National League batters. Consider, for instance, that deGrom reach a 3-0 count only five times last year, and a 3-1 count 19 times. Moreover, of the 800 or so batters he faced, deGrom was 0-2 101 times and 1-2 on 159 hitters.”

Amazing Avenue suggests one last Mets move: Scooter Gennett.

MiLB.com looked at four minor league ballparks that will no longer be as they have been replaced by newer facilities.  This includes Hank Aaron Stadium, Mobile, Alabama.  Great read with lots of great pictures. 

Mets Baseball Cards like they oughta be put together some great cards to honor Curtis Granderson.

Per MLB Trade Rumors:

The Astros named James Click as their new general manager.  Click had served as Rays vice president of baseball operations.

The Mariners have announced a contract extension with southpaw Marco Gonzales. He’s now guaranteed $30MM from 2021 through 2024.

The Diamondbacks signed minor-league deals with outfielder Jon Jay and righty Edwin Jackson. The club also confirmed previously reported signings of John Hicks and Trayce Thompson.

The Giants have agreed to a minor league contract with veteran outfielder Brandon Guyer.

Per Yahoo Sports: How new Giant Brandon Guyer has become elite at getting hit by pitches. “In 2015, Guyer led MLB after being plunked 24 times while with the Tampa Bay Rays. But that number becomes more impressive when you consider that Guyer registered just 385 plate appearances.” 

The Yankees signed minor league deals with right-handers Dan Otero and David Hale.

Winter Ball:

Yesterday was day three of the seven day Caribbean series in Puerto Rico. 

Mexico Beat Panama 6-1 (box).

The Dominican Republic beat Columbia 4 – 0 (box).

In that game, Jordany Valdespin went 0 for 3 with a walk. 

Venezuela beat Puerto Rico 3-2 in 10 innings despite Puerto Rico holding Venezuela to just three hits (box).

Venezuela is now 3-0 and the only undefeated team in the tournament.  Mexico and the Dominican Republic are each 2-1, Panama and Puerto Rico are each 1-2 and Columbia is 0-3.

Three more games today. 

Mack’s Blast From the Past comes from February 4, 2013 - Mack’s Mets not quite Top 25 which included: #28 Daniel Muno; #27 Phillip Evans; #26 Juan Lagares. 

Per National Pastime.com:

1963	Mayor Robert Wagner signs a bill that officially changes the name the of the stadium being constructed in Queens to William A. Shea Municipal Stadium, honoring the New York lawyer who was instrumental in obtaining a National League team for the Big Apple. The ballpark, formerly known as Flushing Meadows Stadium, will serve as the Mets home from 1964 to 2008.
2009	Brian Bannister and the Royals avoid salary arbitration, agreeing to a one-year deal valued at $1,737,500. The right-hander, who was 9-16 with a 5.76 ERA in 32 starts for Kansas City in his sophomore season, placed third in the AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2007 after being obtained from the Mets for Ambiorix Burgos.

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

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