John From Albany – Mets Breakfast Links 3/6/2020

Johneshwy Fargas hits for the Cycle, Patrick Mazeika and Jarrett Parker also go deep, and Seth Lugo pitches a simulated game.  

The Mets and Cardinals played to a 7-7 tie in Jupiter yesterday (Box) (Video Highlights).

Rick Porcello started and pitched three scoreless innings. Rick worked around a single, stolen base, and a walk in the first and allowed only one other hit after that.  Overall he struck out 4 and lowered his spring ERA to 1.50. 

NY Post: “This is kind of what this is all about, is being able to find where you need to be physically, mentally and being able to make those adjustments on the fly,” Porcello said. “Today was nice to kind of right the ship and get it on track in a game situation.”

SNY.TV: "Good, solid outing for him [Porcello]," said Luis Rojas. "I thought he commanded the fastball down and he also elevated when he needed to. He used the breaking ball early, he used it late. But my favorite pitch from him today was the changeup. He used it on lefties and he used it righty-righty too, so good touch with the changeup. He used it in any count. ... Good outing for him."

SNY.TV had video of Rick Porcello and Luis Rojas talking about Rick’s start as well as Luis discussing Johneshwy Fargas.

Johneshwy’s home run in the 8^th tied the game at 7-7.  He also stole a base.  The 25 year old is hitting .350 this spring while mostly playing center field.

Yahoo Sports: Through last season, Fargas had spent his entire minor league career, spanning seven seasons, with the Giants, but he became a free agent after last season. The Mets signed him in January. He reached Double-A for the first time in 2019. Fargas seems likely to open up this season with Double-A Binghamton or Triple-A Syracuse.

Patrick Mazeika homered in his only at bat to raise his spring average to .444.

Pete Alonso started at DH, hitting third and going 2 for 3 as he looks like he is starting to hit.  His spring average is now .222.

SNY.TV: Tyler Bashlor relieved Porcello and was crushed, allowing six runs on seven hits (including three home runs) while walking none and striking out two.

Matt Blackham pitched a third of an inning giving up three walks.

Stephen Villines relieved Blackham and was able to get out of the jam with just one run scoring on a sacrifice fly.

 

Stephen Gonsalves pitched two scoreless innings giving up just one hit with 3 Ks.

On Friday the Mets will play the Astros at 6:05 PM.  RHP Michael Wacha will start for the Mets.

Other Mets Links:

Brian Joura of Mets 360 had “Unanswered questions for the Mets as the 2020 season approaches.” Brian counters the optimistic stories of the spring with how J.D. Davis had a “nothing serious” shoulder injury” yet hasn’t played in 10 days, how Dellin Betances indicated that his velocity “wasn’t anything close to the high 90s” and more.

213 Miles from Shea had 2020 Conglomerate Mets Projections: Brad Brach 51.5 innings; 4.08 ERA; 1.34 WHIP; 9.6 K/9;

NY Post: Dellin Betances is scheduled for his Grapefruit League debut Saturday against the Nationals. The right-hander, who tore his left Achilles last September, progressed to a simulated game earlier this week.

Phil Mushnick of the NY Post noted the slice of Pizza at a Mets Spring Training game: “But at Mets spring training games, once reliant on the patronage of fixed-income seniors retired to Florida, the Mets are selling eight-slice plain pizzas for $58, $7.25 a slice…fans can wash down their $58 pizza with a bottled water for $4.25 or a $5 soda…But price-gouging is a hallmark of both the Bud Selig regime and now his successor, Rob Manfred. Treat your most devoted customers like dirt, daring them to ever return. The Yankees call such suckers ‘guests.’”

NY Post: Edwin Diaz thinks he will be the team’s closer: “I’m thinking I can pitch in the ninth inning. That is my mindset. The next thing is keep pitching good and let them know I am ready to go.” Manager Luis Rojas was noncommittal when asked if he wants a set closer for Opening Day.

Steve Serby in the NY Post: Don’t talk to Mets’ Pete Alonso about lowering expectations. “No, don’t!” Alonso told The Post. “I expect myself to do great things, I hold myself to a high standard and … I don’t like low standards, I like high standards.”

NY Post: Seth Lugo threw a simulated game yesterday and does not like the idea of an “opener”: “I don’t think an opener belongs in baseball,” Lugo said.

SNY.TV: One of the hitter Seth Lugo faced was Ronny Mauricio: “the young shortstop fouled off some tough pitches against him, including a couple of good curveballs, and finally roped a fastball for a single, pulling it to right field. ‘He put a really good at-bat together,’ Lugo said afterward. ‘I made some really good pitches. I was impressed. Very impressed.’”

Terry Collins added: “’I had to tell him what a great job he did in some of those at-bats,’ Collins said. ‘He's got a lot of ability. I like what I've seen of him at shortstop. He slows the game down nicely, he never rushes a play, and that's a great sign for a young player.’"

SNY.TV: Mets' Jeurys Familia changed his mechanics and grip on his split-finger fastball. However, Familia and others say the weight loss has made a perceptible difference in his delivery, allowing him to lengthen his stride and release the ball more out in front of the rubber, which should make it easier to repeat and control, while adding velocity as well. ‘The ball is coming out so easy at 95, 96, 97 even early in camp,’ Familia said. ‘I was surprised to see that but I have more flexibility now, and I can extend and finish better…Last year I was having a problem with my hips -- they were too tight and I wasn't extending on my stride’”

Mets Insider had how Al Leiter, Mike Hampton and Glendon Rusch of the 2000 Mets were all in St. Lucie this past Tuesday and Wednesday.

Empire Sports Media: Mets’ Edwin Diaz Hopes to Reverse Nightmare 2019 Season.

Reflections on Baseball: Jeff McNeil: A throwback reviving the days when batting averages counted.

Empire Sports Media: New York Mets players are convinced that “Jeff McHits” can win a batting title.

Rising Apple: How the Mets helped save my life when I needed them most.

Rising Apple: Mets are giving Steven Matz the Zack Wheeler treatment.

Brooklyn Cyclones Broadcaster Keith Raad: A Return Home: The Rob Whalen Story.

Other MLB News:

Astros 5 Red Sox 0 (Box) Blake Taylor a scoreless inning; 0.00 ERA this spring.

Phillies 5 Blue Jays 3 (Box) Zack Wheeler 2.1 innings, 3 hits, 2 runs, 2 Ks. 8.31 ERA.  Ruben Tejada played SS for the Blue Jays and went 0 for 2 hitting .111.

Padres 3 Mariners 0 (Box) Sam Haggerty played LF 1 for 2 with a double.  Sam is hitting .357 this spring. Jarred Kelenic went 0 for 1 and is hitting .333 with a 1.040 OPS.  Juan Lagares went 0 for 2 and is hitting .158.

Here’s all the Spring Training scores from 3-5-2020.

Yahoo Sports: The Marlins are closing the Pool and Nightclub at their stadium.

NY Post: Minnesota Twins ban autographs amid coronavirus panic.

AP News: MLB reminding teams about sticky substance rules.

AP News: The Los Angeles Angels have fired longtime visiting clubhouse manager Brian “Bubba” Harkins for allegedly aiding opposing pitchers in obtaining illegal substances to put on baseballs.

AP News: “Major League Baseball has proposed banning player access to video during games, according to New York Yankees pitcher Zack Britton, but the union wants to allow it with protections that would prevent catchers’ signs from being visible.”

MLB Trade Rumors:

Phillies Looking At Ervin Santana. Ervin pitched last year for the Syracuse Mets.

Brewers finalize Christian Yelich extension: Yelich will earn $26MM in each of the 2022-28 seasons, and there is a $6.5MM buyout of his $20MM mutual option for 2029.  That makes it $188.5MM in new money for Yelich over a seven-year span, and $202MM over eight years if both he and the Brewers exercise the mutual option.

White Sox Extend Yoan Moncada Five Years with option for 6^th.

MLBPA Has Filed a Second Grievance Against Pirates. Tony Clark, who didn’t weigh in on this particular matter but did state that his organization remains concerned with “revenue-sharing recipients who remain in that perpetual rebuilding mode.”

Yankees Scouting Starters, Still Unsure Of Aaron Judge Diagnosis.

Red Sox Sign Collin McHugh, Designate Hector Velazquez.

Yoelkis Cespedes To Be Declared Free Agent. “Because bonus pools are now hard-capped, it’s at least possible that the younger Cespedes will wait until July 2 to sign with a Major League organization. Most clubs have already spent the vast majority (if not the entirety) of their 2019-20 bonus pools, but the 2020-21 signing period will kick off on July 2.”

Yesterday at Mack’s Mets:

Syracuse Mets Extend Broadcasting Partnership with Cumulus for Next Three Years.

The New York Mets will retire Jerry Koosman’s uniform number #36 on Sunday, June 13 in a pre-game ceremony prior to the 4:10 p.m. game vs. Washington.

Blast From The Past - 2008 Kingsport Mets Recap

Tom Brennan - CAN THE BUNT BE A LETHAL WEAPON FOR ANYONE IN TODAY'S GAME?

The Alternative 50 Mets Prospects, #4 Patrick Mazeika.

Mack’s Blast From The Past comes from 3-6-12 – Mack On: Zach Lutz, Jon Niese, Fernando Martinez, Court Ruling.  

Today in Mets History Per Ultimatemets.com:

Born on this date:

• Cookie Rojas (1939)

Transactions:

Los Angeles Dodgers signed Rick Wilkins of the New York Mets as a free agent on March 6, 1999.

New York Mets signed free agent Tony Tarasco on March 6, 2001.

New York Mets signed free agent Orber Moreno on March 6, 2003.

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