John From Albany – Mets Breakfast Links 4/30/2020

Good morning, Dr. Fauci says we need baseball for “mental health’, Pete Alonso wants to bring back black jerseys and one report says no 2020 minor league baseball.

Empire Sports Media: Report: 2020 minor-league season to be canceled. “Joe Doyle of SB Nation has reported that agents have been notified that there will not be a 2020 minor-league baseball season. Major League rosters will be expanded for the condensed season, and that there will be a developmental league based at spring training sites for minor leaguers. It’s unclear whether the developmental league will include all minor-leaguers or only those at higher levels of ball.”

Gwinnett Daily Post: Minor League Baseball denies report that season is canceled.  “The statement added, ‘No decision has been made as to when it will be safe to begin the 2020 season.’ Baseball America executive editor JJ Cooper and national writer Kyle Glaser, The Athletic baseball prospect writer Emily C. Waldon, and ESPN baseball writer Jeff Passan all refuted Doyle's report. After other journalists disputed the report, Doyle tweeted, ‘I stand by my sources and this story completely. I was contacted independently by an agency representing four minor leaguers at advanced levels. I did not go seeking this information, it was brought to my desk. I cross-checked this with another agency representing two players.’"

METS LINKS:

SNY.TV: Predicting the New York Mets' 2023 roster: Prospects, trades, free agents, and keepers.  Catcher: Francisco Alvarez; First Base: Pete Alonso; Second Base: Jeff McNeil; Shortstop: Ronny Mauricio; Third Base: Nolan Arenado; Left Field: Trevor Larnach; Center Field: Amed Rosario; Right Field: Michael Conforto.  Starting Rotation: 1. Jacob deGrom; 2. Jose Berrios; 3. Matthew Allan; 4. Josh Wolf; 5. David Peterson; Bullpen: Closer: Edwin Diaz; Setup: Keone Kela; RHP: Ryley Gilliam; RHP: Franklyn Kilome; RHP: Jacob Wallace; RHP: Dedniel Nunez; LHP: Thomas Szapucki; LHP: Kevin Smith; Catcher: Martin Maldonado; First Base/Third Base: Mark Vientos; Infield: Luis Guillorme; Infield/Outfield: Carlos Cortes; Outfield: Jake Mangum.

Tim Boyle Rising Apple: Best Mets player acquired via free agent at each position.  Starting Pitcher – Rick Reed; Relief Pitcher – Billy Wagner; Catcher – Wilson Ramos; First Baseman – Todd Zeile; Second Baseman – Jose Valentin; Third Baseman – Robin Ventura; Shortstop – Asdrubal Cabrera; Left Fielder – Cliff Floyd; Center Fielder – Carlos Beltran; Right Fielder – Curtis Granderson.

NY Post: Robinson Cano’s Mets future could be saved with universal DH.

Joel Sherman NY Post: Robinson Cano trade mirroring Mets’ Jim Fregosi debacle. Among other points Joel raises: “1. Structurally, the Mets would have worked better last year if Jeff McNeil was the second baseman, and that is probably true moving forward as well. 2. Financially…a contract that pays Cano $24 million per year through 2023…Bigger still if Cano does not perform well. Bigger yet when you consider the financial plight of the Wilpons and what kind of cuts may be necessitated if they are unable to sell the Mets. Having Cano will mean not having who else?”

MetsMInors.net: Amazin’ Minors Moments: R.A. Dickey Retires 27 Straight.

Empire Writes Back: Universal DH would be welcomed by Amazins.

Empire Sports Media: New York Mets: Sharing a Division With the Yankees?

Kyle Newman Elite Sports NY: New York Mets greatest forgotten players: SP Bret Saberhagen.  Here is a great quote from the post: “Teams should take the Mets’ actions with stars like Saberhagen as a cautionary tale. It’s important to know when to go star chasing. They can’t try and extend a closing window or open a closed window by going star chasing. It’s a recipe for wasting money and top talent.”

Mike Vaccaro NY Post: Bobby Valentine is stepping up again in the face of tragedy. “On Sunday, that meant spending an hour handing out baggies filled with five masks to passing motorists in his hometown of Stamford. Tuesday he was in downtown Hartford at the old civic center — now called the XL Center. Friday he hopes to be at Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury, if his schedule allows.”

The Mets Police: Best Mets By Number: 30 Michael Conforto.

Faith and Fear in Flushing: Greg Prince looks back at the 1992 season in “Stolen Plate Appearance”.

Mike’s Mets continues to look at the practicality of the 2020 MLB season is “The Stolen Summer”.

Mets.com: Alonso says Mets 'need' to bring black unis back.

NJ.com: N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo taps Yankees’ Randy Levine, Knicks’ James Dolan, Mets’ Jeff Wilpon for coronavirus guidance.

12Up.com: VIDEO: Mets' Steven Matz Sends Emotional Message to Police Officer Hospitalized With Coronavirus.

YouTube: New York Mets Videos - Ramos’ Tropical Workout. 

MLB LINKS:

Yahoo Sports: Coronavirus: Dr. Anthony Fauci says he wants baseball back 'for the country's mental health'.

Yahoo Sports: The real question: Does MLB have a plan for playing amid continued coronavirus risk?

NJ.com: Sports business insider tells WFAN’s Mike Francesa MLB desperately needs to return from coronavirus.

NJ.com: Is fans’ lawsuit scaring MLB? Teams finally permitted to refund ticket money.

NJ.com: MLB rumors: 4 reasons to believe in baseball’s latest restart plan. Players could go home; The East would be must-watch television; Expanded playoffs; Less than a month from agreement to games.

NY Post: Andre Dawson’s second career as Funeral Home Operator has been greatly affected by coronavirus.

SNY.TV: Scott Boras says his clients are on board to 'return to play and get ready' for 2020 MLB season. 

Minor League links:

FANGRAPHS.com: The Sting of Contraction Is No Minor Matter.  “A sport with nearly $11 billion in annual revenue can certainly afford to pay minor leaguers a living wage without salting the earth in the communities that are growing the next generation of fans.” 

MLB Trade Rumors:

Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony Postponed Until 2021.

Nearly Half The Astros’ Starting Lineup Is Up For Free Agency This Winter: George Springer, Michael Brantley, Josh Reddick, and Yuli Gurriel.

A Battle Of NL East Superstars: the Braves’ Ronald Acuna Jr. and the Nationals’ Juan Soto. 

Yadier Molina Intends To Play Beyond 2020, Whether Or Not With Cardinals.

Latest On MLB Teams’ Cost-Cutting Efforts.

When The Cardinals Almost Traded Away An Ace. When the Cardinals were trying to acquire outfielder Giancarlo Stanton from the Marlins after the 2017 season…the Redbirds were open to dealing an “elite pitching prospect such as Sandy Alcantara or Jack Flaherty” to make the trade happen.

Manny Ramirez Pursuing Taiwan Comeback.

Asian Baseball:

Kyodo News: Baseball: Hawks' pitcher Carter Stewart eager to prove himself in Japan.

12Up.com: Complete Guide to KBO Baseball in Korea Ahead of May 5 Opening Day.

12Up.com: Manny Ramirez Planning a Comeback in Taiwan at 48 Years Old is Exactly What We Need Right Now.

CBS Sports: Two broadcasters put the CPBL and themselves in an American spotlight -- now they're making the most of it.

Yesterday in the CPBL

Ryan Carpenter and Rakuten Monkeys over the Fubon Guardians 5-3 (Line Score). 

Rakuten Monkeys' Ryan Carpenter makes a no-look snag on a screaming comebacker and fires to first to complete the double play. This catch by Carpenter is a solid 8 on the Scott Richmond chart. #CPBL pic.twitter.com/vIHHjuoMNs

— CPBL STATS (@GOCPBL) April 29, 2020

Chinatrust Brothers 9 Uni Lions 8 (Line Score).

Today’s game starts at 6:30 AM which you can see here:

⚾| 2020/4/30 18:30(GMT+8) From #Taiwan #Tainan Baseball Stadium, traditional match-up #CTBCBrothers vs #UniLions, the second game of this serie. Watch here for the 2020 #CPBL regular season in ENGLISH!!! @CTBC_Brothers @CPBL#ForTheFans #ELEVENSPORTS https://t.co/LZBL1A3OZD

— ELEVEN SPORTS TAIWAN (@ElevenSportsTW) April 29, 2020

Yesterday at Mack’s Mets:

Reese Kaplan -- Finding the Needle in the Haystack.

Tom Brennan - DECISIONS, DECISIONS, DECISIONS.

Syracuse Mets Helping to Raise Money for the Food Bank of Central New York.

Mack’s Blast from the Past comes from 4/30/13 – Reese Kaplan - A Shake-Up SHOULD be Forthcoming, But Won’t.  Reese gave a rundown of the 2013 Mets and included this line: “Harvey and Niese, then watch winning cease.”

Today in Mets History Per Ultimatemets.com:

Born on this date:

• Bob Hendley (1939)
• Ryan O'Rourke (1988)
• Gilbert Gomez (1990)

Died on this date:

• Lou Niss (1987)

Transactions:

New York Mets claimed Daryl Boston on waivers from the Chicago White Sox on April 30, 1990.

New York Mets signed free agent Val Pascucci on April 30, 2008.

National Pastime.com:

1988	Reds' manager Pete Rose will be suspended for thirty days and fined $10,000 for pushing David Pallone, after the umpire makes a delayed call that allows the eventual winning run to score in the team's 6-5 loss to the Mets at Riverfront Stadium. The Cincinnati skipper shoves the first base ump twice after claiming he was poked in the face, a charge the arbitrator denies, and one never substantiated by major league baseball.
1990	With Dale Murphy and Ernie Whitt on base, Mark Lemke grounds to second baseman Gregg Jefferies, who lobs the ball to David Cone covering first. The runner is called safe, which leads to the Mets starter having a complete meltdown, vehemently arguing the call with umpire Charlie Williams as the two Braves' runners cross the plate to score.
2002	Al Leiter becomes the first pitcher in baseball history to record wins over all thirty big league franchises that have been existence since 1901. The Mets southpaw earns the victory as New York routs the Diamondbacks at Bank One Ballpark, 10-1.

2005

With an enthusiastic RFK crowd chanting "Let's go, ground crew" the inexperienced group puts on quite a show of ineptitude when they struggle putting the tarp on a very soggy field during the second rain delay of the rain-shortened 5-3 victory over the Mets. New York files a protest after the game is called off in the bottom of the eighth, claiming the field became unplayable due to Washington's inability to cover the field during the 37-minute stoppage of play.

2008

Julio Franco, the oldest player to homer in the major leagues, announces his retirement from professional baseball, leaving the Quintana Roo Tigers of the Mexican League. The 49 year-old Dominican compiled a .298 average, collected 2,586 hits and hit 173 homers during his 23-year tenure with eight big league teams, which included the Phillies, Indians, Rangers, White Sox, Brewers, Rays, Braves, and Mets.

2012

When Brett Myers faces his first batter in the ninth inning, the Astros closer becomes the seventh different Houston pitcher to face seven consecutive Mets, a major league first. Houston manager Brad Mills wears out a path from the dugout to the mound when he pulls starter Bud Norris from the game and then proceeds to summon Wilton Lopez, Wesley Wright, Brandon Lyon, Fernando Abad, and Fernando Rodriguez, to face one batter each in the team's 4-3 victory at Citi Field.

Baseball Reference:

2017 - Anthony Rendon has a game for the ages as he goes 6-for-6 with his first three homers of the year and drives in 10 runs to lead the Nationals to a 23 - 5 drubbing of the Mets. He joins Walker Cooper as the only two players ever to have 6 hits and 10 RBIs in one game. Bryce Harper scores 4 runs to give 32 in April, a new major league record, and Matt Wieters has a pair of homers among his three hits. It is the most runs in franchise history for Washington. Worse for New York, Noah Syndergaard leaves the game in the 2nd after experiencing arm pain.

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