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12/2/20

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

 


Good Morning.  Happy Birthday Former Mets Coach Chip Hale. The Mets sign Relief Pitcher Trevor May and today at 8PM is the Non-Tender Deadline.  

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

Mets Links:

Mets.com: Mets, reliever May agree to deal. “MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reported that the two-year deal is worth around $15 million… May, 31, has posted a 3.19 ERA over the past three seasons with the Twins since returning from Tommy John surgery. He produced a 3.86 mark this year, while his strikeout rate of 14.66 per nine innings ranked seventh in the Majors.”


Mets.com: How new Mets arm became a strikeout star. “Like a lot of the other nasty pitchers in the game today, May has developed the wicked combo of elevated four-seamers coupled with down-breaking sliders. He traded in his curveball for that slider as his primary breaking ball, tripling his usage from just a few seasons ago while scrapping the curve in 2020 after it got crushed in '19.”

SNY.TV: What Mets signee Trevor May learned from first MLB chapter with Twins. "I was on a 103-loss team in 2016..And I've been from there to winning the division two years in a row.”


Gus Livaditis Mets360: The 2021 center field options for the Mets. Gus does a great job as always looking at advanced stats and comes up with some interesting conclusions about George Springer and the other CF candidates.

Mike Lupica MLB.com: Can Alderson make another splash in NY?

NY Post: Dellin Betances, Mets players are thrilled about Steve Cohen. ““There was a lot of excitement at the end of last year. Players were excited about Cohen being a longtime Met fan,’’ reliever Dellin Betances told The Post on Tuesday.

Metsmerized Online: A Closer Look: General Manager Candidate Tommy Tanous. “Mets Vice President of Amateur and International Scouting, Tommy Tanous, has been with the club since 2010, when he began as a special assignment scout.”


Ballnine: Larry, Moe, and Cano. “According to the Newsday.com article, Robinson tested positive for Stanozolol…the same drug that Ben Johnson was popping like Pez when he embarrassed himself in the Seoul Olympics in 1988...Thirty-five years ago it was a popular, effective performance enhancer. But even then, it was easy enough to detect. In 2020, it’s a Stone Age drug, and using and thinking you won’t get caught is like trying to deny the huge, oozing zit you have on the tip of your nose.”


ICYMI: Yesterday at Mack’s Mets: 

Tom Brennan – The Joy of Winning A Mets World Series.

Tom Brennan – Would You Mets GM’s Sign This Catcher?

Mack - Scouting Report - C - Reed Marcum.

Mack - Scouting Report - LHP - Seth Lonsway.

MLB Links:

AP News: MLB drug tests drop sharply during coronavirus pandemic.

MLB.com: Non-tender cutoff may force flurry of moves. All 30 clubs must decide whether to tender contracts to players with less than six years of big league service time by 8 p.m. ET Wednesday.

USA Today: Years after Cubs' manipulation, Kris Bryant saga shows need for MLB overhaul.

CBS Sports: MLB rumors: Red Sox eyeing Corey Kluber; Cubs won't non-tender Kris Bryant.

MLB Trade Rumors: Players Avoiding Arbitration: 12/1/20.

Yahoo Sports: Joe Ross, Nationals agree to $1.5 million, 1-year contract.

MLB Trade Rumors: Twins Place Eddie Rosario On Outright Waivers.

MLB Trade Rumors: Brewers To Sign Catcher Luke Maile. “The 29-year-old Maile saw major league action with the Rays and Blue Jays from 2015-19.”

MLB Trade Rumors: Tommy Pham Recovering From Wrist Surgery.

MLB Trade Rumors: Offseason Outlook: Miami Marlins.

MLB Trade Rumors: Offseason Outlook: Washington Nationals.

Yahoo Sports: Cleveland P Cam Hill recovering after car crash, wrist surgery.

MLB.com: Teams with prospects to make big trades. The Mets and top Prospect Ronny Mauricio are included.

FANGRAPHS: JAWS and the 2021 Hall of Fame Ballot: Billy Wagner. One of the most in-depth articles you will ever read about Billy Wagner’s career and Hall of Fame case. 

Star Trubune.com: St. Paul Saints to become Twins' top minor-league team; Class AA in Wichita. The St. Paul Saints will leave independent baseball to become the Class AAA team for the Twins. 

AP News: Revamped minor league baseball to include 3 Colorado teams. “The Pioneer League has been designated a partner of MLB, with teams no longer affiliated with specific major league teams beginning in 2021.” 

AP News: PawSox to host virtual yard sale this weekend. 

AP News: Major league baseball players are giving $500,000 to support minor leaguers whose season was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

ESPN.com: Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa scheduled to change plea in drunken driving case. 


Winter Baseball:

In the Dominican Republic:

Toros del Este 2 Aguilas Cibaenas 6 (Box Score) For Aguilas Robel Garcia played 2B and went 1 for 3 with an RBI, .176 Batting Average this winter. Bruce Maxwell caught for Los Toros and went 1 for 3, .160 Average this winter.

Here is the full Dominican Scoreboard.

In Venezuela:

Navegantes del Magallanes 1 Aguilas del Zulia 0 (Box Score). Mets Prospect Cesar Loaiza started for Aguilas and fared much better than he did in his debut in relief over the weekend where he failed to record an out.  2.1 innings, no runs, 1 hit, 2 walks, 2 Ks lowering his winter ERA to 11.57.

Here is the full Venezuelan Scoreboard.

In the Mexican Pacific League:

Sultanes de Monterrey 3 Los Caneros de los Mochis 0 (Box Score).  Juan Uriarte did not play for Los Caneros. .233 Avg. in 73 At-Bats this Winter.

Here is the full Mexican Pacific League Scoreboard from yesterday.

Today in Mets History Per Ultimatemets.com:

Born on this date:

Transactions:

Mets drafted Jerry Hinsley from the Pittsburgh Pirates on December 2, 1963.

New York Mets purchased Hawk Taylor from the Milwaukee Braves on December 2, 1963.

Mets drafted Wayne Garrett from the Atlanta Braves on December 2, 1968.

Oakland Athletics drafted Tommie Reynolds from the Mets on December 2, 1968.

New York Mets signed free agent Bobby Bonilla of the Pittsburgh Pirates on December 2, 1991.

New York Mets signed free agent Roger Mason on December 2, 1992.

Cleveland Indians signed Eddie Murray of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 2, 1993.

Arizona Diamondbacks signed Armando Reynoso of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 2, 1998.

New York Mets signed free agent Robin Ventura of the Chicago White Sox on December 2, 1998.

Cleveland Indians signed Roberto Hernandez of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 2, 2006.

Los Angeles Angels signed Hisanori Takahashi of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 2, 2010.

Pittsburgh Pirates signed Fernando Nieve of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 2, 2010.

Los Angeles Dodgers signed Chris Capuano of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 2, 2011.

Centerfield Maz: George Foster: Mid Eighties Mets Outfielder (1982-1986).

Centerfeild Maz: Dan Warthen: 2015 NL Champions Mets Pitching Coach (2008 - 2017).

National Pastime.com:

1991

The Mets sign Pirates' free-agent Bobby Bonilla to a $29 million, five-year deal. The 28 year-old highly touted outfielder will hit only .249 during the first year of his contract for an under-achieving New York club.

 

2008

Mets COO Jeff Wilpon says the team's new ballpark's name will remain Citi Field regardless of the suggestion made by two NYC council members who believe the venue should be called Citi/Taxpayer Field. Citigroup, a struggling financial institution benefiting from a bailout from the federal government, pays the franchise $400 million over 20 years for naming rights to the stadium.

 

Baseball Reference:

1998 - Free agents pitcher Scott Sanders and third baseman Robin Ventura are signed. The Cubs agree to terms with Sanders and Ventura signs with the Mets to a four-year contract.

Breakfast Links One year ago today - 12/2/2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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11 comments:

  1. Tom BrennanDecember 2, 2020 at 6:26 AM

    May is a fine pick up. Pen still needs more.

    ReplyDelete
  2. John From AlbanyDecember 2, 2020 at 7:47 AM

    Lots of bullpen moved still to come. Dave Rubin pointed out to me that the Mets have 15 Relief Pitchers on the current roster:
    - Edwin Diaz
    - Seth Lugo
    - Trevor May
    - Dellin Betances
    - Jeurys Familia
    - Miguel Castro
    - Drew Smith
    - Robert Gsellman
    - Brad Brach
    - Sam McWilliams
    - Chasen Shreve
    - Jacob Barnes
    - Nick Tropeano
    - Paul Sewald
    - Daniel Zamora

    Something will have to give. I think Gsellman will be the first to go after he is non-tendered tonight.

    ReplyDelete
  3. bill metsiacDecember 2, 2020 at 7:50 AM

    Today's non-tender list should generate a lot of interest, and some action around MLB.

    But a week away is annual meeting time, and we're still without a GM.

    I wonder, with the lack of top choices available, if there's any chance Sandy might give a 1-year deal to a guy who knows the Mets players and mgr very well.

    Yes, I am talking about BVW. With Sandy supervising, he wouldn't have the free rein he did for the past two years, and that could turn out to be advantageous.

    I'm not advocating for him, but he could be a better option than the 2nd - 3rd "tier" candidates, who would have to learn our team from scratch (unless Ricco or Tanous is the choice).

    He wouldn't be my first choice if the likes of Stearns, Cherington, Chernoff, and Young were available. But they're not.

    ReplyDelete
  4. John From AlbanyDecember 2, 2020 at 8:14 AM

    Bill,

    Given what the Mets have down in the draft the last few years, I would look at the Scouting Director Tommy Tanous.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Tom BrennanDecember 2, 2020 at 8:16 AM

    Bill, it is hard for me to imagine going back to BVW. Sandy was the GM once - he can IMO handle it for a while.

    John, many of those pen names you list are guys I hope get minimal if any time on a team that wants to win. I keep going back to the fact that the team in 2020 had 48% of its innings thrown by starters and relievers with ERAs over 5.00 that allowed 7.4 runs per 9 IP and went 8-26. Brutal. They need to put up a firewall and get the number of innings from 5.00+ ERA guys in 2021 down from 48% to around 10% or it will be another disappointing year. Only TRULY solid guys s/b allowed this year. Spend a lot to get there.

    ReplyDelete
  6. bill metsiacDecember 2, 2020 at 8:40 AM

    Yes, Tanous has done a fine job, but making him GM leaves us with the need to find someone equally good to fill his shoes.

    And I worry about the "Peter Principle" coming into play. The skills needed for scouting don't necessarily translate to those needed for GM work.

    Cohen has said he doesn't want someone learning on the job, and a first-timer as GM could fit the mold.

    ReplyDelete
  7. John From AlbanyDecember 2, 2020 at 9:08 AM

    What you say makes sense Bill. However that makes the Chris Young pursuit even more puzzling. At least Tanous knows the system.

    ReplyDelete
  8. TexasGusCCDecember 2, 2020 at 9:27 AM

    So much to discuss!!!

    Thank you John for the kind words.

    There are 15 relievers, but Zamora is he first to go with this three batter rule. He can’t face righties. Sewald has always narrowly escaped the guillotine in the past, we’ll see how long that lasts. Gsellman has two options left, let him start in the minors as a starting pitcher. Maybe he can remember that caring what your boss thinks matters.

    In The Athletic, Marc Carig wrote that a NL Front Office exec told him that today’s non-tenders “will be a blood bath”.

    One thing I never liked about the Mets was their allowance of players that were not 100% or were working their way back to have prominent roles. I hope that can change. Like a player coming off the DL and right back to hitting third or fourth even if he’s struggling. Like Betances being allowed to pitch at less than 100% and getting his clock cleaned. Yesterday at a fund raiser he had the nerve to say that he just didn’t feel right last year. Well, really? Was he supposed to say ‘sure I was healthy, but I sucked?’ Well, if he doesn’t have juice this year either, leave him in extended spring training and if he still sucks, cut him before he costs you games again.

    I never felt comfortable with Hensley Mullens on the staff, knowing he wants Rojas’ job. Why the heck was he hired? I’d like to see Phil Regan be bench coach, if he wants the gig. What hasn’t he seen?

    I think McCann is a smoke screen.

    ReplyDelete
  9. TexasGusCCDecember 2, 2020 at 9:30 AM

    John, I think Chris Young was told that he could be offered an AGM position and his stiff upper nose kicked in. I would never interview him after this if I was another team.

    Also, how about Mark DeRosa as a bench coach?

    ReplyDelete
  10. John From AlbanyDecember 2, 2020 at 10:09 AM

    Gus - You are welcome. Keep up the great posts.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Tom BrennanDecember 2, 2020 at 10:18 AM

    Gus, I agree on your 100% ready point. Only use guys that can pitch well - I don't care what their name, history, or contract is. If Betances is not back to 100% next spring, cut him. That Wilpon "I paid, so they play" approach has to be expunged.

    ReplyDelete