John From Albany – Mets News and Breakfast Links 1/8/2021

 

Good Morning. Happy Birthday Mike Cameron, Jeff Francoeur, and Corey Taylor. Mets get Francisco Lindor, Sugano goes back to Japan, and the Mariners sign another Ex-Met.

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

Mets Links:

As we had yesterday at Mack’s Mets, Lindor and Carrasco go to Mets, Rosario, Gimenez, Wolf and Greene to Indians.

Everybody…and their Brother likes this move…and yes, Mack’s Mets own Tom Brennan texted the Mack’s Mets writers last night to let us know his Brother is “Happy”…so it is official.

Here is just a sampling of the reactions:

Bob Nightengale USA Today: In one blockbuster move, the Mets become World Series contenders after acquiring Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco.

Newsday's Friday Back Page
Mets trade for All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor@APSE_sportmedia pic.twitter.com/kgEa7dH9ha

— Joe Manniello (@joe_manniello) January 8, 2021

Metstradamus: New Kids in Town “This is 4/5ths the Gary Carter trade, and 1/5th the Mike Piazza trade. That final fifth is the part where people say “why did we trade for a shortstop when we had three shortstops?” Amed Rosario is a good player, and Andres Gimenez earned his status as a fan favorite. But nobody pines for Todd Hundley when they talk about Mike Piazza. Hundley was good on his own merit, but Mike Piazza is Mike Piazza.”

Brian Joura Mets360: “While shortstop wasn’t a big hole for the Mets, there’s no doubt that Lindor is an upgrade on the position. While he’s not as good offensively as Mookie Betts, a player to whom he’s frequently compared, Lindor should be a consistent 4-5 fWAR player and those guys simply don’t grow on trees.”

Joel Sherman NY Post: Mets just put themselves in the Yankees’ weight class.

Ken Davidoff NY Post: Francisco Lindor has everything to be face of Mets franchise.

David Lennon Newsday: Steve Cohen promised he would raise the bar for the Mets, and Francisco Lindor is proof of that. “the Steve Cohen Mets reminded everyone Thursday that being good is no longer good enough in Flushing.”

Mike Lupica Mets.com: Mets deliver with long-promised big deal. “Lindor makes the Mets a team to watch again, and who knows, maybe the team to watch in New York City this season. It was that kind of deal that Alderson made on Thursday, for a young star who plays shortstop and just turned 27. Alderson has made big deals before, and so have the Mets. Never has one felt any bigger than this.”

Bradford William Davis NY Daily News: The Mets fleeced Cleveland for Francisco Lindor. “With no shade to any of these four players leaving the Mets, none of them are Lindor and none of them should expect to be Lindor in the future.”

Mets.com: Here's what Lindor brings to the Mets.

Mets.com: Lindor's boundless joy a perfect fit in Queens.

Mets.com: Here are the ripple effects of Mets' big trade. Includes – “The Mets Aren’t Done Shopping” and “Luis Guillorme will play a more prominent role”.

CBS Sports: Francisco Lindor trade grades: Mets fleece Cleveland in MLB offseason's biggest move.

CBS Sports: Francisco Lindor trade winners and losers: Mets pull off heist, which is bad news for Cleveland and NL East.

CBS Sports: “So what should the Mets' remaining to-do list look like? Sign Springer or Bauer. Sign Brad Hand to give the bullpen an established lefty. Do everything you can to sign Lindor to a long-term extension before he becomes a free agent next offseason.”

What do you think the #Mets should do next?@AnthonyDiComo joined #MLBTonight to discuss the team's options following today's trade for Lindor & Carrasco. pic.twitter.com/oEdmu9AaDL

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 8, 2021

Yahoo Sports: Why the Mets and Francisco Lindor are a perfect match for a long-term deal.

Yahoo Sports: The Francisco Lindor trade is a brazen example of baseball's broken economic system.

Mets.com: Six wildest Mets-Indians trades. Hall of Famers, future GMs and one of the weirdest deals of all time. Harry Chiti was the weird one.

NY Post: Indians GM Chris Antonetti ‘in tears’ over Francisco Lindor trade.

NY Post: ““We acquired Francisco because of his present ability and the possibility that he could be a Met long term, [but] there is no guarantee of that,” Alderson said. “It’s something we will approach in the next few weeks, but at this point we felt comfortable giving up the group of players we did for both Lindor and Carrasco, recognizing that Lindor is only under contract for one year…”

Andy Martino SNY.TV: With Lindor on board, the Mets are less likely to sign Springer. “Here’s why: The team will not exceed the $210 million luxury tax threshold this offseason.”

Mets.com: Are Mets NL East favorite after blockbuster?

SNY.TV: MLB execs weigh in on magnitude of Mets' Francisco Lindor deal: “'They're a superpower now'…'It’s the kind of thing the Yankees have done forever'…’This trade makes them serious contenders in their division,’ one scout said, ‘but I think they need Springer if they’re going to be on the same level with the Braves. They’re not going to be able to match them in the starting rotation but adding Springer and Lindor at the top of their lineup would give them more firepower, especially if the Braves don’t re-sign (Marcell) Ozuna.’”

SNY.TV: Ripple Effects: What Francisco Lindor-Carlos Carrasco trade could mean for Mets in CF, rotation, and elsewhere. The Mets also have a big question mark now at third base and a decision to make with Seth Lugo “The Mets' current 40-man payroll, including projections for arbitration raises, sits just above $180 million. That gives them a shade under $30 million to play with before hitting the luxury tax threshold, and all of that would likely be eaten up if they sign Springer.”

I’m beyond excited. We get one life. I’m living out my dreams daily providing for my family and now I get the opportunity to learn/play with two more of the best players in the game...and add that to a squad that’s already dangerous. Exciting times! https://t.co/dVt9vsDqoX

— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) January 7, 2021

That’s big time! 🔥🔥@Lindor12BC @Cookie_Carrasco #LGM

— James McCann (@McCannon33) January 7, 2021

Must be a glitch in the Matrix (rubs eyes) https://t.co/bcJHU7ZdkM

— Noah Syndergaard (@Noahsyndergaard) January 8, 2021

MLB.com: Bauer, in Mets cap, praises blockbuster.

I came here for a weight loss update. Was there a trade?

— Mike Steffanos (@MikeSteffanos) January 7, 2021

NY Post: Francisco Lindor sensed trade was coming before Mets blockbuster.

SNY.TV: Amed Rosario says thank you to Mets fans following trade to Cleveland: ‘You will always have a place in my heart’.

NY Post: Who are Josh Wolf, Isaiah Greene? Meet prospects Mets traded for Francisco Lindor. “The 6-foot-3 Josh Wolf was a second-round pick in the 2019 MLB Draft out of St. Thomas High School in Houston. Pitching for the Gulf Coast League Mets in 2019, the right-hander had a 3.38 ERA over five starts and struck out 12 in eight innings pitched….Isaiah Greene…a second-round compensatory pick (69th overall) for the Mets in the 2020 draft. He has yet to play professionally due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A speedy outfielder from California known for his defense and running tools.”

MLB Trade Rumors: Mets, Cubs Had “Recent Trade Talks” About Kris Bryant.

Source: the Mets have talked to the Mariners about third baseman Kyle Seager.

Seager had a 122 OPS+ in 2020, though he also had -5 defensive runs saved.

— Michael Mayer (@mikemayerMMO) January 8, 2021

Brain Joura Mets360: Why this isn’t the right time for a Michael Conforto extension. “Gus has framed the Mets’ choice as Springer or Conforto. My opinion is that it’s bigger than that, that Stroman and Syndergaard are in the equation, too. There’s no reason to commit long-term now to any of those three that are under control in 2021. There are questions around all three and if none of them are offering a hometown discount, let them fight it out on the field and have them earn a market rate deal from the Mets.”

It's a new day. Let's start it with some wholesome content, like long-haired Jacob deGrom throwing a one-hitter against the Phillies pic.twitter.com/0u4d812GFe

— Dylan Hornik (@_Hornik_) January 7, 2021

🚨GIVEAWAY🚨
Possibly (definitely) the coolest feature in our stadium.
🤩
To celebrate #NationalBobbleheadDay we want to give YOU a bobblehead! All you have to do is guess how many bobbles are in this case.
😏
RT & comment your answer, closest answer wins! pic.twitter.com/ZDP7VRsQtQ

— St. Lucie Mets (@stluciemets) January 7, 2021

ICYMI yesterday at Mack’s Mets:

Tom Brennan: Mets’ Fantasy List (Current Player) Top Dawgs.

SAVAGE VIEWS – Ray Unfiltered.

Press Release – Mets acquire Four-Time All-Star Francisco Lindor & RHP Carlos Carrasco from Cleveland.

Mack’s Scouting Report - RHP - Max Debiec.

Mack’s Scouting Report - RHP - James Peyton Smith.

For the full list of Mack’s Draft reports click here.

MLB Links:

MLB Trade Rumors: Mariners Sign Roenis Elias, Paul Sewald To Minor League Deals.

NY Post: Japanese pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano returning to Yomiuri Giants.

MLB Trade Rumors: Tomoyuki Sugano Agrees To Four-Year, $40MM Deal With Yomiuri Giants.

ESPN.com: Fired Los Angeles Angels clubhouse attendant names pitchers in ball-doctoring case. “Harkins claims, he identified Cole, Justin Verlander, Edwin Jackson, Max Scherzer, Felix Hernandez, Corey Kluber, Joba Chamberlain, Adam Wainwright and Tyler Chatwood among the pitchers who previously asked for his specific blend of pine tar and rosin, which became popular throughout the league after he made it for former closer Troy Percival more than 20 years ago.”

ESPN.com: Boston Red Sox's Bianca Smith says she aspires to be MLB manager.

MLB Trade Rumors: Astros To Sign Ryne Stanek.

MLB Trade Rumors: Twins Sign JT Riddle To Minor League Deal.

MLB Trade Rumors: Tigers Sign Miguel Del Pozo To Minors Deal.

Winter Baseball:

In Puerto Rico yesterday.:

Criollos de Caguas 4 RA12 2 (Box Score). Johneshwy Fargas had the day off; Joshua Torres (S,1) 1 scoreless inning 1 walk, 1 K.   With the win, Los Criollos advance to the Final Series.

In the Dominican Republic:

Aguilas Cibaenas 9 Toros Del Este 6 (Box Score). Robel Garcia DH 2 for 4 with a 3 run HR and a double, 3 RBIs, 2 runs scored, 2 Ks; Juan Lagares CF 1 for 4, 1 run scored, 1 RBI. For Los Toros, Jordany Valdespin went 1 for 4 with a solo HR. Pedro Payano, who the Mets invited to Spring Training this last March, pitched to three batters and did not record an out, walk, 3 run HR, and a double by Robel Garcia before former Met Tim Peterson recorded the final out in the inning. 

Batazo enorme de Robel García.#ASeguirVolando #PlayoffsAC pic.twitter.com/bxkDUb8ezh

— Águilas Cibaeñas (@aguilascibaenas) January 8, 2021

Estrellas Orientales 5 Gigantes del Cibao 3 (Box Score). Robinson Cano 1 for 5 - .364 in the playoffs; Matt Pobereyko (S,2) 1 inning, no runs, 2 Ks. For Gigantes Former Met Pitching Prospect Marcos Molina 2.1 innings, no runs, 2 walks, 1 K; Mets Rule 5 Draft Pick Jesus Reyes, 1 inning, no runs, 2 hits.  

In Venezuela:

Navegantes del Magallanes 14 Leones del Caracas 5 (Box Score). Wilfredo Tovar 1 for 3, .303 average.

Here is the full scoreboard from Venezuela.

Here is Yesterday’s Mexican Pacific League Scoreboard.

For the complete Winter League Stats for the current Mets, Mets minor leaguers, and Ex-Mets, click here.

Today in Mets History Per Ultimatemets.com:

Born on this date:

• Chuck Cottier (1936)
• John DeMerit (1936)
• Mike Cameron (1973)
• Geremi Gonzalez (1975)
• Jeff Francoeur (1984)
• Corey Taylor (1993)
• Patrick Causa (1997)

Died on this date:

• Don Heffner (1989)
• Harvey Haddix (1994)

Transactions:

New York Mets traded Ray Searage to the Cleveland Indians for Tom Veryzer on January 8, 1982.

New York Mets signed free agent Tim Spehr of the Atlanta Braves on January 8, 1998.

New York Mets released Joe Crawford on January 8, 1998.

New York Mets signed free agent Dae-Sung Koo on January 8, 2005.

Atlanta Braves signed Kelly Johnson of the New York Mets as a free agent on January 8, 2016.

Centerfield Maz: New Mets Short Stop- Francisco Lindor (2021).

Centerfield Maz: Mike Cameron: Mid 2000's Mets Outfielder (2003-2004).

Centerfield Maz: Remembering Mets History (2004): Mike Cameron's Walk Off Hits.

Breakfast Links One year ago today - 1/8/2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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