12/30/20

John From Albany – Mets News and Breakfast Links 12/30/2020




Good Morning. Happy Birthday Kevin Long. The top 2020 lists are starting to come in, Bauer wants $200 Million or does he, MLB.com says Mets have one of top 10 starting rotations. 

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

Mets Links:

Mike Puma NY Post: Clock ticking for Mets to strike deal with Tomoyuki Sugano. “Tomoyuki Sugano, a Japanese right-hander who was posted by the Yomiuri Giants earlier this month, has until 5 p.m. on Jan. 7 to sign with an MLB team. Since an actual signed contract is necessary by the deadline it’s likely Sugano will have to decide by this weekend, allowing time for a physical exam and contract language to be finalized.”

SNY.TV: Counting down the top 10 NY sports stories of 2020: No. 3 - The Steve Cohen Era. Cohen has brought a whole new energy to the Mets.

Ken Davidoff NY Post: 2020’s most overrated and over-hated figures in MLB. This includes “Pete Alonso: Over-hated; Steven Matz: Over-hated; James McCann: Overrated when you match up his numbers against his contract, but I like that the Mets bet on the person”

Mike’s Mets talks about the Padres and. the Mets building a farm system in “Eating Your Vegetables.”

Greg Prince Faith and Fear in Flushing looks back in the Mets in Popular culture this year in “The 2020 Oscar’s Cap Awards” – “Considering he didn’t file a single column all year, Oscar Madison had a pretty good 2020. You might even say he showed up ready to play more often than Jed Lowrie did…but who among us in a Mets cap didn’t?”

Brian Joura Mets 360: My top 10 positive moments/streaks for the 2020 Mets. Steve Cohen buying the Mets was his #1. Pete Alonso’s 10th inning walk-off homer against the Yankees on 9/3 his #2; Brodie getting fired his #4.


Still time to Bring Back Fonzie guys to make everyone’s Top Ten list.

MLB.com: MLB's top 10 rotations has a new No. 1. 1. Padres; 2. Dodgers; 3. Indians; 4. Nationals; 5. Braves; 6. Mets; 7. White Sox; 8. Yankees; 9. A’s; 10. Take your pick.


Baseball Prospectus: Best of BP: Tom Seaver and His Times.

Mets Junkies: Free Agent Target Justin Wilson. “The lefty signed a 2 year 10 million dollar deal before the 2019 season. Over those two seasons he combined to pitch to a 2.91 ERA over 58.2 innings.”


ICYMI Yesterday at Mack’s Mets:

Tom Brennan – Mets 5th Outfielder Candidates.

Mack’s Scouting Report - RHP - Thatcher Hurd.

Mack’s Scouting Report - 1B - Cade Beloso.

MLB Links:

Metro News: Report: Phillies have yet to offer JT Realmuto a contract.


Joel Sherman NY Post: The power shift and trade fallout from Padres’ blockbusters. “The Darvish trade also potentially had overtones to markets for Arenado, Lindor and maybe Bauer… Since Darvish had three years at $59 million remaining and the Cubs wanted out of it badly, they took a return that lacked a prospect from among the Padres’ best...Thus, what can the Indians expect for Lindor with just one year left until free agency at a 2021 cost of about $20 million? Can the Rockies find anyone willing to take even most of the seven years at $199 million due Arenado off of his worst season, much less give them back even a decent lottery ticket or two?”



MLB.com: 5 farm systems that improved most in '20. Rays, Tigers, Pirates, Orioles, D-Backs in that order.

MLB.com: 10 stories that defined the 2020 season. #1 The Pandemic.  #10. Mets get a new owner.


MLB.com: These were baseball's best bloopers in '20. Brett Phillips' walk-off hit in the World Series leads the list.

MLB.com: These feats happened for 1st time in '20.

MLB Trade Rumors: Cubs “Extensively Shopping” Willson Contreras.

MLB Trade Rumors: Justin Smoak Finalizing Deal With Yomiuri Giants.

MLB Trade Rumors: Twins Sign Hansel Robles.

MLB.com: Will DJ be Dodgers’ counter to Padres?

MLB Trade Rumors: Rays To Sign Catcher Kevan Smith.

MLB Trade Rumors: Royals Sign Ervin Santana To Minor League Deal.

CBS Sports: Padres are serious about World Series contention; three reasons why that's especially notable this winter. 1. The Padres are swimming against league-wide tides; 2. They've already invested a great deal in this core; 3. They're doing so despite underdog status in the NL West.

Yahoo Sports: Even bound for exciting Padres, Blake Snell sorry to join the ranks of former Rays stars.

AP Sports: Sports in 2020: Disruptions aplenty, only constant was loss.

AP Sports: Odd became normal: sports’ masked road trip to the unknown.

Yahoo Sports: 2020 was a transformative year in sports, and we need more of those heroics in 2021.

Winter Baseball:

No Games Tuesday in the Dominican Republic.

MLB.com: Puig looks to change 'bothersome' habits. Free agent outfielder at D.R. playoffs, eyes return to MLB.

In Puerto Rico yesterday:

Criollos de Caguas 5 Indios de Mayaguez 3 (Box Score). Johneshwy Fargas RF, 0 for 3, 1 walk, 2 Ks, .349 batting average; Hector Santiago 5 innings, 4 hits, 2 runs (both  earned), 2 walks, 6 Ks, 3.79 ERA; Joshua Torres (W, 1-0) 1 inning, 1 walk, 1.13 ERA; T.J. Rivera 0 for 5, 1 K, .302 Batting Average.

In Venezuela:

Bravos de Margarita 26 Aguilas del Zulia 3 (Box Score). David Rodriguez 1B 3 for 4 with a double, 2 RBIs, 3 runs scored, 2 walks, .404 average. Cesar Loaiza 1.1 inning, 1 run, 1 hit, walk, 9.00 ERA.

Leones del Caracas 14 Caribes de Anzoategui 3  (Box Score). Wilfredo Tovar played SS and went 2 for 3, 3 runs scored, 1 walk, .295 average this Winter.

Here is the full scoreboard from Venezuela.

In the Mexican Pacific League:

Caneros de los Mochis 7 Venados de Mazatlan 2 (Box Score). Juan Uriarte C 1 for 3, with a run scored, 1 K, .233 batting average.

Today in Mets History Per Ultimatemets.com:

Born on this date:

Transactions:

New York Mets signed free agent CF Corey Wimberly to a minor league contract.on December 30, 2011.

Centerfield Maz: John Milner (The Hammer): 1973 N.L. Champion Mets First Baseman (1971-1977).

Centerfield Maz: Remembering Mets History (1973): The Hammer Has Back to Back Walk Off Hit Games.

Breakfast Links One year ago today - 12/30/2019


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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7 comments:

TexasGusCC said...

If the Mets are hot for Springer, why isn’t he signed yet? Either Sandy is sticking to four years and Springer wants five years, or he doesn’t want to go to the Mets and is dragging his feet. Expect Nimmo/Pillar in CF, especially without the DH. As Brian wrote last week, 4+ fWAR CF don’t grow on trees. I concur as I didn’t think Nimmo was so bad defensively once they moved him back in late August.

I agree with the pattern of trading and wonder what the Indians are expecting for Lindor, because the Rockies would have to throw something for Arrenado. Yesterday in The Athletic, the Indians writer Zack Meisel, was asked by their fans if the Indians felt they needed to add a pitcher in order to get a better return for Lindor. He said that the Front Office didn’t think so, but felt they waited too long to move him. Even if the Indians attach Carrasco - since I don’t see them wanting to give up the younger starters - why do they think they’ll get any top prospects? I love that Lindor is going into his prime and I think the Mets are playing possum here. If the trade can be structured around one of the two first basemen, the Indians can throw in a young pitcher and let’s go. I did a comparison of Lindor and Machado through their 23-26 aged seasons, and they are almost indentical!

https://stathead.com/baseball/player-comparison.cgi?request=1&sum=1&type=b&player_id_1_hint=Manny+Machado&player_id_1_select=Manny+Machado&player_id_1=machama01&fromyear_1=2016&toyear_1=2019&player_id_2_hint=Francisco+Lindor&player_id_2_select=Francisco+Lindor&player_id_2=lindofr01&fromyear_2=2017&toyear_2=2020

Tom Brennan said...

Texas Gus, good points. Cohen's expertise is in not overpaying, and snapping up undervalued assets. Let's see what transpires.

If we could get Lindor cheap, with him agreeing to an extension upon signing, why not?

Tom Brennan said...

Ted Williams just mentioned to me that David Rodriguez is hitting .404, with Mr. .406 reminding me how hard it is to hit over .400 at any level. I imagine that Sandy and Jared are taking notice.

John From Albany said...

Lots of good points Gus. I saw way too much of Nimmo in CF in Brooklyn when he misjudged fly balls and was not impressed with him last year. He is not a CF and never was.

I understand the hesitancy signing Springer but he would be a big defensive upgrade and a right handed bat. I know Houston would move him to a corner spot late in games but he is still an upgrade for the Mets. He has to be a priority.

TexasGusCC said...

I understand John and cannot debate facts. I thought he wasn’t terrible, just less than average. I admit to seeing things in different light when it comes to the Mets.

TexasGusCC said...

Supposedly, he wants 6/$150. Is he worth it? Maybe... MLBTR writes that only six hitters have been better since April 2019...

John From Albany said...

Gus - 6 at $150 is a lot for a 31 year old. I can easily see this blowing up in a few years. This was one reason why I thought they might try and do a contract before 12/31 with a big signing bonus then less amounts over the next 4 years with a 5th year that kicks in should he meet standard production. Otherwise, I can see this deal being an albatross for the last two years - at least we'd be done with Cano by then.

Would you give up prospects to try and get Kevin K from Tampa Bay? That's where not having farm depth kills you.