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11/10/20

John From Albany – Mets News and Breakfast Links 11/10/2020

 



Good Morning. Happy Birthday Mike Vail and Butch Huskey. The Steve Cohen and Sandy Press conference is today at 12:30, and MLB hands out the ROYs.


Section Links: Mets Links, MLB Links, Asian Baseball, and This Day in Mets History.


Mets Links:


Ken Davidoff: The biggest questions facing Steve Cohen, Sandy Alderson. His 12 questions for Steve Cohen ask about the process of buying the Mets? 2021 Payroll? Being a Community Leader? SNY? and if he plans to stay on Twitter?  His 8 questions for Sandy include Luis Rojas? Carlos Beltran? And Tim Tebow?


Tim Healey Newsday also asks questions such as: “Does Cohen see the Mets as a business or a hobby?” “What are the Mets' most pressing major-league needs?”  and “How do they want to structure the front office?”


Philadelphia Inquirer: Phillies’ John Middleton and Andy MacPhail vs. Steve Cohen and the Mets is not a fair fight.




Joel Sherman NY Post: George Springer can be Mets’ Bernie Williams and should be priority. “He fits the Mets’ needs in center field and as a righty bat. George Springer also shares much in common with Bernie Williams. Their offensive strong suit was patience and power. They both were terrific postseason performers.”  Joel also reviews other trade/free agent candidate like J.T. Realmuto: “that late-season hip injury he had with the Phillies would worry me. He has caught 5,615 1/3 innings the last six years, the second most in the majors to the ageless Yadier Molina.” Francisco Lindor: “I really do think Andres Gimenez is good. Not Lindor good. But a winning, precociously smart player with upside that allows this to be an area in which Cohen does not have to spend.”



MLB.com: 1 player every fanbase is focused on.  For the Mets they say it is J.T. Realmuto.


Amazing Avenue: Finding catchers for the Mets in free agency. One elite option and a whole lot of yeesh.


SNY.TV: Mets infielder Andres Gimenez earns third-place vote for NL Rookie of the Year. “22-year-old slashed .263/.333/.398 with three home runs and 12 RBI in 132 plate appearances and was successful in eight of nine steal attempts.”


Mike Puma NY Post: Scott Boras drooling over Mets’ MLB free-agency potential. “Boras’ greatest hits at the GM meetings include the year he said the cautious-spending Mets were shopping in the ‘freezer section,’ but noted there were “a lot of good, long-standing products they can acquire’…GM Alderson…shot back: ‘Freezer burn is something I’m familiar with.’”


NY Post speculates that “Yankees could lose DJ LeMahieu to Mets or Red Sox in MLB free agency.”


Mets.com: Minaya gracious as he says goodbye to Mets.



Mets360: Mets Minors: The difference between the upper and lower levels, Part II.


Metsmerized Online: Only Legacy For Brodie Was “Come Get Us”.


The Sports Daily Mike Phillips’ Mets Player Review Series: Ariel Jurado. 2020 Stats: 1 Start, 4.0 Innings Pitched, 0-0 Won-Loss Record, 11.25 ERA, 2.25 WHIP, 2:0 K:BB Ratio, -0.2 WAR.


Metsmerized Online: 2020 MMO Report Card: Michael Wacha, RHP. Primary Stats: 8 G, 7 GS, 1-4, 34 IP, 6.62ERA, 9.8 K/9, 1.9 BB/9, 1.559 WHIP.

Metsmerized Online: Steve Cohen Is A Fan Of Fan Fest.


Rising Apple: Three one-year contracts the Mets should explore this offseason. Charlie Morton, Corey Kluber, Mike Minor.


Amazing Avenue: Extending Dominic Smith now might be a good idea for the Mets.


Mets Junkies: 2020 Predictions and what actually happened.


Mets Junkies: Mets Trade Target Zach Plesac.


Mets Junkies: Mets Trade Target Lance Lynn.








ICYMI Yesterday At Mack’s Mets:


Reese Kaplan -- How Should the Mets Fill Vacancies?


Tom Brennan – Seeking One Fan’s Perspective on Mets’ Next Steps in a Brave New Cohen World.


Mack - Scouting Report - RHP - Irving Carter.


Mack – Scouting Report - RHP - Jackson Jobe.

MLB Links:


USA Today: Historic season earns Brewers relief pitcher Devin Williams NL Rookie of the Year. “he went 4-1 with a 0.33 earned run average in 22 appearances, allowing only one earned run – a home run by Pittsburgh’s Colin Moran in the fourth game of the season.”



AP News: Seattle Mariners center fielder Kyle Lewis wins AL Rookie of the Year award.



CBS Sports: MLB awards: 10 early Rookie of the Year candidates for 2021, including Randy Arozarena.


Tom Verducci SI.com: MLB Award Predictions: Who's Going to Win MVP and Cy Young?  Tom predicts Trevor Bauer over Jacob deGrom and had Jake Cronenworth over Devin Williams so he’s so far just 1 for 2. 


NBC Sports: Rays’ Arozarena wins Babe Ruth award as postseason MVP.


CBS Sports: MLB's five biggest offseason questions, including just how cold it will be on free-agent market. Other questions: Which stars could be on the move? Will 2021 be a normal season? What rule changes will stick? Will there be a rash of pre-arbitration extensions?


MLB.com: Sources: 8-10 teams interested in Morton.


MLB Trade Rumors: James McCann On Free Agency.


MLB Trade Rumors: Astros Have Discussed New Deal With Michael Brantley.


AP News: Woodfork to head minor leagues for Major League Baseball. “Peter Woodfork was appointed Major League Baseball’s senior vice president of minor league operations and development…MLB is taking over governance of the minors from the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues following the expiration of the Professional Baseball Agreement on Sept. 30.”




NY Post: Jeff Luhnow wants $22 million for being cheating Astros ‘scapegoat’.


Student Union Sports: Rob Manfred Hates Baseball.


MLB.com: Alex Trebek's greatest baseball moments.


Rising Apple: Looking back at a few Mets-related questions on Jeopardy!


BuffaloNews.com: 'Jeopardy!' host Alex Trebek's unlikely connection to the Buffalo Bisons. “Who are the Buffalo Bisons? According to Rich Baseball Operations President Mike Buczkowski, that was an answer three times on "Jeopardy" with Alex Trebek as the host.”



AP News: White Sox manager Tony La Russa charged with DUI again. “According to the Maricopa County Justice Courts website, the arrest occurred in February, but the case was filed on Oct. 28, one day before La Russa’s hiring was announced by the White Sox.”


Asian Baseball:


Doosan Bears 3 KT Wiz 2 (Box Score). Chris Flexen 7.1 innings, 4 hits, 2 ER, 11 K’s.  First Pitcher in the KBO to strike out 10 or more in his first two playoff games. 


Game two of the 5 game series is going on now.


Here is KBO’s Scoreboard.   


MLB.com: NPB players who could be in MLB in '21. “Yomiuri Giants ace Tomoyuki Sugano the most prominent candidate to move to MLB for the 2021 season.”


Today in Mets History Per Ultimatemets.com:


Born on this date:



Transactions:


New York Mets signed free agent Carlos Mendoza on November 10, 1992.

Atlanta Braves signed Esix Snead of the New York Mets as a free agent on November 10, 2004.

Shingo Takatsu granted free agency on November 10, 2005.

New York Mets signed free agent Raul Valdes on November 10, 2006.

Philadelphia Phillies signed Wilson Valdez of the New York Mets as a free agent on November 10, 2009.

New York Mets signed free agent Michael Cuddyer of the Colorado Rockies on November 10, 2014.


National Pastime.com:


1961

In addition to purchasing 100,000 tickets to the new National League's team games, the Rheingold Brewery agrees to pay six million dollars for the radio and television rights to 126 Mets games per year for five years. The largest deal of its kind is approximately double the cost of the franchise and all its first-season players.

 

2012

R.A. Dickey receives the 21st annual Rotary Club of Denver's Branch Rickey Award, an honor given to just one of the 30 nominees selected from each major league team for their humanitarian service off the field. Before the start of the season, the Mets' 38 year-old knuckleballer climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, helping to raise more than $100,000 to support the Bombay Teen organization in their effort to rescue young women from forced prostitution in India.

 

Baseball Reference:


2014: White Sox 1B Jose Abreu is the unanimous winner of the 2014 American League Rookie of the Year Award after an outstanding season at the plate, while Mets P Jacob deGrom is the winner in the National League.


2014: The Mets sign free agent outfielder Michael Cuddyer to a two-year contract for $21 million.




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10 comments:

  1. Tom BrennanNovember 10, 2020 at 6:18 AM

    Another great game by Chris Flexen - I tip my hat.

    Birthday boy Butch Huskey will always be remembered for that 6th level HR in Philly.

    I agree with the Gimenez logic - do the Mets need to spend on Lindor when you have an ultra-cheap alternative in Gimenez, leaving more $$ to spend on other gaping needs. Good for him to finish 3rd in the rookie voting. Wally Pipp Rosario is all it took.

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  2. John From AlbanyNovember 10, 2020 at 7:04 AM

    Tom - I agree that George Springer and CF has to be the top priority

    ReplyDelete
  3. Bob W.November 10, 2020 at 9:01 AM

    Butch Husky was a great prospect, but he had that big, heavy body on thin lower legs. You could just tell he would have knee/hammy problems down the line.

    Esix Snead was one of those players who had their 'one moment'. A late-inning clutch triple followed in the same game by a walk-off homer.

    Omar Minaya didn't get a very good early birthday present.

    ReplyDelete
  4. John From AlbanyNovember 10, 2020 at 9:29 AM

    Love those moments for September call-ups like Esix Snead. It gave us something to root for the years the Mets were out of it in September.

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  5. Remember1969November 10, 2020 at 9:53 AM

    100% agree with Sherman .. Springer would be the best signing (and #1 priority). Lindor is not needed.

    Also - from the Mets Junkies: Trade target Zach Plesac . .I agree in principle. He is a great target for the rotation, but I don't agree with the proposed package of Davis and Mauricio. I have seen way too much complaining about trading their number 1 prospect to do it again. In addition, Cleveland does not need another Class A or AA shortstop as 5 of their top 12 prospects are listed at shortstops.

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  6. TexasGusCCNovember 10, 2020 at 9:56 AM

    Well, let’s not assume Lindor is an idiot. Gimenez put up a .731 OPS, and we were thrilled with it. Keep Gimenez and give them Rosario if you want. The only thing that I keep thinking is Hernandez always saying that 90% of baseball is between the ears. This is a tough call.

    As for Realmuto’s hip injury, I forgot about that. But, all things being equal, catcher is the biggest need for the Mets not CF. They have something they can work with. Add Pillar and make it a platoon you can win with. The Mets have literally nothing behind the plate.

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  7. Tom BrennanNovember 10, 2020 at 11:22 AM

    Texas Gus, would you instead consider a tandem of Sal Perez and James McCann? 162 games of strong catching, so much better than 2020. Realmuto probably catches 120 max. I know Perez would be by trade.

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  8. TexasGusCCNovember 10, 2020 at 12:09 PM

    Tom, I would think Nido can fill in for about 40-50 games a year and continue the improvement he showed last year. Why get McCann and Perez to have one sitting on the bench? If the Mets can make a trade with the Royals that includes one of their top three pitching prospects, I’d be in favor of that. Otherwise, I value Perez way over McCann and won’t be swayed by a good handful of games into making him my starter.

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  9. Remember1969November 10, 2020 at 5:27 PM

    My thoughts to catch up on the last few comments:
    (-) TexasGus, I certainly don't think Lindor is an idiot. He is an exceptionally fine shortstop. My point is that shortstop is not the Mets #1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 issue and there is no point on using $21M on that position when Gimenez showed last year that he could handle it exceptionally well defensively and hit enough to call shortstop set for 2021.
    (-) I am looking at the free agent list. Springer is far and away the best centerfielder on the list (and probably better than any in the next three years?)
    The Mets have not succeeded with a sub-par centerfielder. It's time to get the best one on the market.
    (-) I have no disagreement that catcher is certainly a full priority. It is just that there are several other options available. For the money, I would rather see Springer and McCann than Realmuto and Pillar/Bradley/any other decent fielding no-hit centerfielder. If they can secure Realmuto for a Covid year discount and not tie up 150M over 6 years, I'm all for it. but if he is holding out for the really big bucks, I'd pay McCann $10M for 3 years. As far as a backup or split, I would be calling the Dodgers to see if a reasonable trade for Keibert Ruiz could be made. His stock has gone down a bit over the last couple years, and they seem set with Smith, so Ruiz may not be far-fetched. I would do a Scapucki or Peterson + (Vientos?) in that trade, but would not part with any of the top three pitching prospects.
    (-) Pillar has been a fine fielder, but reading Tom Brennan's piece on what went wrong in 2018 makes me think of Austin Jackson. In my mind Pillar = Jackson.
    Springer is the better option, with Nimmo as the short term injury fill.
    (-) To Tom's point of Perez/McCann duo, I'm not a fan of trading for Perez. 2021 is his last year before free agency. I never want to trade top ten prospects for 1 year rentals (Perez or Lindor). Perez has a lot of mileage for his age - he has caught a ton every year for the last 7. The other side of that equation is why would Kansas City think about trading him other than he will be a FA next year. They are really thin in the catching ranks either on the MLB roster or in the minors. Lastly, Perez is due to make $14.2M in 2021. Realmuto at $20 or so is a better investment. Perez is not that good a hitter.
    As I stated, my backstop combo choice is McCann/Ruiz, with a 60/40 or 50/50 split. Nido could be depth.
    (-) Springer/McCann for free agent money. A little bit a trade for Ruiz, and we are now ready to tackle the starting pitching and we still have all the prime trade chips.
    (-) I suppose if there was a trade with Cleveland where we could trade only one of McNeil (preferred), Nimmo, and Smith and include Rosario or Davis and a prospect or two and get back both Plesac (or Civale or McKenzie) and Lindor, along with their #15 guy Joey Cantillo, I'd be happy. Heck, throw in Gsellman.
    So would Cleveland do this? McNeil, Rosario, Gsellman, Davis, Dibrell and Megill for Lindor, Plesac, and Cantillo? Who says no?

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  10. TexasGusCCNovember 11, 2020 at 12:37 AM

    69, I would think Cleveland would like that deal because they are getting two very controllable hitters and three wildcard arms. Rosario is a wildcard athlete. Would I do it as a Mets fan? I would have to swallow pretty hard before saying yes - if it would come out. Your giving all this up for Plesac and one year of Lindor. Cantillo is a throw-in, his repertoire doesn’t even sound MLB worthy. What if they held out for Gimenez?

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