John From Albany – Mets News and Breakfast Links 12/20/2020

 

Good Morning.  Happy Birthday David Wright, Eric Goeddel, and Joseph Shaw.  MLB Payrolls dropped $2.5B in Pandemic and everybody is talking about Nolan Arenado.

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

Mets Links:

Seemed like everybody wanted to talk about Nolan Arenado the last few days

Joel Sherman NY Post had Sandy Alderson’s Quote regarding Arenado: “If you’re talking about defensively, our third-base situation is probably a little bit up in the air. Is it as glaring a need as like a third or fourth starter? I don’t think so.”  Joel wondered if that was a “Freudian slip, did Alderson also indicate the Mets are not pursuing Trevor Bauer?”

Mike Lupica Mets.com: Arenado a long shot worth taking for Mets. “I believe that Arenado would come to New York and do what another ex-Rockie -- LeMahieu -- has done on the other side of town. That means show everybody, on the New York stage, what he can do. Long shot? Maybe. Worth a shot? Definitely.”

Brian Joura Mets360: On Nolan Arenado and the value of away splits for Rockies hitters.

Dalton Allison Mets360: “At Citi Field, Arenado’s numbers have suffered. He has played 23 games there, and has a slash line of .229/.275/.410.”

Rising Apple: How realistic are SNY’s pair of Nolan Arenado trade ideas? “The first trade saw Arenado being sent to New York in exchange for Jeurys Familia, J.D. Davis, and Josh Wolf. The second involved Brandon Nimmo, Brett Baty, and (wait for it…) Robinson Cano to Colorado in a swap for the third baseman.”

Mack’s Mets Own Tom Brennan - Is Nolan Arenado A Worthy Trade Target?

Mets Junkies: No To Nolan.

Thomas Hall Mets Merized Online: Now Isn’t The Time To Acquire Nolan Arenado. “Considering the Mets are still looking to add multiple impact players, they’d probably be better off focusing their resources on two crucial areas rather than trading for an aging third baseman, who’s scheduled to earn an average of $33.2 million per season through the 2026 campaign… Approximately $60.3 million under the $210 million luxury tax…”

Mike’s Mets: Some Thoughts on McCann, Arenado and Springer. “Arenado is a great player, but taking on most of that contract while also giving up talent in return feels like a Brodie Van Wagenen move.”

Are Mets fans expecting too much out of this offseason? @sal_licata joins @mrlarryridley to discuss 👇

➡️ @GEICO pic.twitter.com/k4w7ptzRMb

— SNY (@SNYtv) December 19, 2020

MLB Film Room: Mets' top 5 catches of 2020.             

Ken Davidoff NY Post: How James McCann’s incredible rags-to-riches tale led to Mets.

Amazing Avenue: With James McCann signed, the Mets still need a backup catcher. “Tomás Nido is the Mets’ top backup currently…a good defensive catcher…In 2018, his first real run in Queens, he hit .167/.200/.238 line with a 20 wRC+ in 90 plate appearances, and in 2019 he upped that to .191/.231/.316 with a 40 wRC+ in 144 plate appearances…He did hit well in 2020, posting a whopping 150 wRC+ and a .292/.346/.583 line, but it was over a grand total of seven games and 26 plate appearances.”

ICYMI At Mack's Mets:

Resse Kaplan - There's Been Progress, But Not Enough Yet.

Mack - Scouting Report - RHP - Vince Trapini

Mack - Scouting Report - C - Hunter Goodman.

MLB Links:

MLB Trade Rumors: MLB Payrolls Dropped A Collective $2.47 Billion In 2020.

Bill Madden NY Daily News: Integrating Negro League stats into MLB will be a messy but important step in making baseball whole. Besides talking about the long overdue recognition of the Negro Leagues as Major League, Bill noted this: “…a lot of mixed signals as to when the baseball season is going to start. Last week Rays manager Kevin Cash said the commissioner’s office told all the managers to be prepared for spring training starting on schedule in mid-February. At the same time, a number of owners and team execs have been saying, with COVID-19 raging, full-fledged vaccines at least two months away…there’s no way the season could open before May. Hence the lack of activity in the Hot Stove season.”

MLB Trade Rumors: Padres Sign Nabil Crismatt. “2020 saw the 25-year-old Crismatt made his MLB debut, as he tossed 8 1/3 innings over six relief appearances for St. Louis and posted a 3.24 ERA and eight strikeouts against just one walk...Crismatt began his pro career as a Mets international signing out of Colombia back in 2011, and he has a career 3.82 ERA, 3.90 K/BB rate, and 9.5 K/9 over 641 2/3 innings in the minors with the Mets (from 2012-18) and Mariners (in 2019).

MLB Trade Rumors: Beane, Forst, Owens Expected To Return To A’s Front Office In 2021.

MLB Trade Rumors: Ryan Zimmerman Intends To Play In 2021.

MLB.com/Cut4: Before becoming an astronaut, John Glenn fought alongside Ted Williams in the Korean War.

Winter Baseball:

In the Dominican Republic:

Gigantes del Cibao 10 Toros Del Este 1 (Box Score) Bruce Maxwell C, 0 for 2 with an RBI, .113 Batting Avg;

Aguilas Cibaenas 11 Leones del Escogido 9 (Box Score) Robel Garcia 2 for 5, 2 runs scored, double, 2 RBIs, 1K, .231 average this winter. Former Met LHP Dario Alvarez (W, 2-0) 1 inning, 1 hit, no runs, 2 Ks, 0.64 ERA.

Here is the full scoreboard from the Dominican Republic.

In Venezuela 4 different double headers were played:

Game 1 Bravos de Margarita 13 Cardenales de Lara 6 (Box Score). For Los Bravos David Rodriguez C 0 for 2 with 2 walks and 2 runs scored, 1K. 

Game 2 Cardenales de Lara 12 Bravos de Margarita 4 (Box Score). For Los Bravos David Rodriguez 1B 2 for 2, HR, 1 run scored, 1 RBI, 1 walk, now with a .394 average. 

Game 2 Tiburones de La Guaira 13 Caribes de Anzoategui 7 (Box Score). Yeizo Campos, did not get out of the First inning – 2/3 inning, 4 runs – all earned, 4 hits, 10.38 ERA this winter. 

Here is the full scoreboard from Venezuela.

In Puerto Rico the Liga de Beisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente:

Criollos de Caguas 8 RA 12  1 (Box Score). For Crillos, Johneshwy Fargas 1 for 4, double, 2 runs scored, an RBI, now hitting .409 this winter.

In the Mexican Pacific League:

Sultanes de Monterrey 8 Caneros de los Mochis 0 (Box Score). Juan Uriarte played LF, 0 for 3, with 1K, .210 Avg.

Today in Mets History Per Ultimatemets.com:

Born on this date:

• David Wright (1982)
• Erik Goeddel (1988)
• Joseph Shaw (1993)

Transactions:
New York Mets traded Jim McAndrew to the San Diego Padres for Steve Simpson on December 20, 1973.

New York Mets traded Juan Samuel to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Mike Marshall and Alejandro Pena on December 20, 1989.

Jeff Musselman granted free agency on December 20, 1990.

New York Mets signed free agent Jeff McKnight of the Baltimore Orioles on December 20, 1991.

New York Mets signed free agent Willie Randolph of the Milwaukee Brewers on December 20, 1991.

New York Mets signed free agent Gary Thurman of the Seattle Mariners on December 20, 1995.

New York Mets traded Robert Person to the Toronto Blue Jays for John Olerud on December 20, 1996.

Baltimore Orioles signed Mike Bordick of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 20, 2000.

New York Mets signed free agent Cliff Floyd of the Boston Red Sox on December 20, 2002.

Atlanta Braves signed Joe DePastino of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 20, 2003.

St. Louis Cardinals signed Brian Daubach of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 20, 2005.

Atlanta Braves signed Chris Woodward of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 20, 2006.

Milwaukee Brewers signed Trot Nixon of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 20, 2008.

Miami Marlins signed Jordany Valdespin of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 20, 2013.

Centerfield Maz: David Wright: All Time Mets Third Baseman- Part One (2004-2007).

Centerfield Maz: Remembering Mets History: (2016) David Wright's Walk Off Places Him First On Mets All Time Walk Off List.

Centerfield Maz: David Wright: 2015 NL Champion Mets All Time Franchise Third Baseman- Part Two (2008-2015).

Centerfield Maz: Remembering Mets History (2018): David Wright Starts At Third Base & Says Goodbye to New York In His Final Game. 

National Pastime.com:

2000	After trading their All-Star shortstop to the Mets last season, the Orioles get him back, agreeing to a two-year deal with free-agent Mike Bordick. The move will send Melvin Mora, the player obtained from the Mets to replace Bordick, to the outfield, where he is a stronger defensive player.
2002	After rejecting salary arbitration from the Red Sox, Cliff Floyd (.288, 28, 79), agrees to a $26 million, four-year contract deal with the Mets. The 30 year-old outfielder played with the Marlins, Expos, and Red Sox last season.

 

2011

The Mets announce they are eliminating their minor league team in the Class A Gulf Coast League, a move that could save the cash-strapped team between $750,000 and $800,000. Although the elimination of a farm team may appear to be a desperate act for the financially troubled franchise, New York was one of only three clubs to have as many as nine minor league teams.

Breakfast Links One year ago today - 12/20/2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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