John From Albany – Mets Breakfast Links 12/30/2019

In the Puerto Rican Winter League last night:

Tomas Nido DH’d for the Criollos de Caguas and went 1 for 3 with a double and a walk in a 3-2 Criollos loss (box). In 8 games this winter, Tomas is 7 for 28 for a .250 Avg, 1 double, 3 RBIs, 5 Ks. 

In that same game, former 2019 Mets pitcher Ryan O'Rourke pitched 4.2 innings giving up 2 runs, 3 hits and 5 walks, 2 Ks, for Cangrejeros de Santurce.

No current Mets played last night in the Dominican but here are some notable ex-Mets that played:

Jordany Valdespin went 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs.

Carlos Gomez went 3 for 4 with a home run and 3 RBIs. 

Continuing with the end of the year/end of decade list trend –

The NY Post listed the top 10 games of the decade.  #3: Mets-Dodgers NLDS Game 5; #8: Wilmer Flores walk-off vs. Nats; #9: Mets-Royals World Series Game 5.

Rising Apple had the 5 greatest trades for starting pitching in Mets history. Honorable Mention: Ron Darling; #5 Noah Syndergaard; #4 Sid Fernandez[JV1] ; #3 Johan Santana; #2 David Cone; #1 Al Leiter.

Mets 360 posted their list of top 50 2020 Mets Prospects.  As always, well worth the read from Mets 360. 

MLB.com says the Mets Bullpen is projected to be NLs Best.

Rising Apple says Matt Blackham can be a useful part of the Mets 2020 bullpen. They point out that Matt Blackham “…combined to go 8-2 with a 2.60 ERA with Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse in 2019. In his 55.1 innings, he struck out 70 batters for a rate of 11.4 per nine.”

The Empire Writes Back says Seth Lugo’s role is in limbo.

Reflections on NY Baseball thinks hopes that Pete Alonso does not become the next Matt Harvey. 

MLB Trade Rumors discussed how NL Teams have addressed their weakest positions of 2019.  For the Mets it was Center Field which they note they have somewhat by acquiring Jake Marisnick and having a healthy Brandon Nimmo.

Metsmerized says Starling Marte is not worth it for Mets at this point.  ‘At the end of the day though, it’s not worth taking the gamble on the outfielder. The reason being is that it’s likely going to cost a package of prospects, or an MLB player, such as Brandon Nimmo, whose name has been frequently connected to the Pirates.”

Metsmerized also said how the Mets can top off their offseason. They suggest “bringing in another catcher to pair with the defensively weak Wilson Ramos…bring in another reliever. A couple guys I think they should consider are Craig Stammen and Steve Cishek.

Empire Sports Media project’s the Mets lineup and compares it with the rest of the NL East.  

MLB.com rated the 5 most improved farm systems: 1. Miami; 2. Arizona; 3. Seattle; 4. Baltimore; 5. San Francisco. Regarding Seattle: "The blockbuster deal that sent Robinson Canó and Edwin Díaz to New York for former Mets first-rounders Jarred Kelenic (2018) and Justin Dunn (2016) last offseason laid the groundwork for what would be an all-around breakout year for Seattle’s farm system."

Mack’s Mets blast from the past comes from December 2010: Mack looked at the 2008 Draft, Ike Davis and Choo Choo Coleman. 

UltimateMets has this date in Mets History:

Born on this date:

• Kevin Long (1966)
• Ralph Milliard (1973)

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OPEN THREAD - International Money

The talent in the International market, especially the Dominican Republic, can no longer be dismissed. You simply can not build a winning team without young, talented Latin baseball players.

We've increased our commitment here over the past few years, resulting in top prospects like Ronny Mauricio, Freddy Valdez,  and Francisco Alverez.

The league limits a team from offering non-luxury tax bonus signing money but that doesn't mean can't trade pipeline players for additional monies to spend in this area.

We also, as an organization, are hiring additional members into our Latin scouting department.

My question is this...

Are you happy with the amount of bonus money spent here or should we attempt to secure more by trading real life players for non-life moolah?

Mack – FWIW – Lindor, Arenado, Betances

I was on the phone the other day with one of my friends in Queens who has been a Mets fan since 1962. He called me to ask me what my opinion was on Francisco Lindor. I told him that I believe he currently is the premier shortstop in the game, but I don’t think he’s a fit for the Mets. He was astounded by that statement.

Now, let me stop here. My friend does not follow the minor leagues and has no idea who or what an Andres Gimenez or Ronny Mauricio is. I told him that shortstop is the deepest position we have in the pipeline and, because he doesn’t follow the minors, he thought I was nuts. In his world, I was saying that Amed Rosario was better than Lindor.

He also doesn’t understand the guts of a trade. He’s just looking at the player, not the $17mil you have to pay him in 2020. More than this, you don’t trade with a team and say, okay, I will trade with you for Lindor and, in return, I will pay him what you had agreed to pay him. More would be needed in this trade, like two or three excellent players. So, we would lose top chips, plus have to pay $17mil for a player that becomes a free agent in 2022.

It’s not a player for player deal. There is much more to trading.

He didn’t like my answer and abruptly ended the telcon.

There is a lot of fan chatter out there about trading for Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado. Even writers here have jumped on that bandwagon. I simply haven’t.

Look, we are building a world class team here with young, exciting talent. Do we really want to pay someone turning 30 $35,000,000 a year for six seasons? We already have one huge dinosaur infield contract (Robinson Cano) to live with, We also have a future superstar in this game (Jeff McNeil) that can play either of these positions. Why not live with what we have until either Mark Vientos or Brett Baty arrive in Queens? 

I haven’t even added to this the chance that one out three headed monster shortstops (Amed Rosario, Andres Gimenez, Ronny Mauricio) could be moved to third.

Folks, I love bringing in superstars, but not at this cost, especially when the infield seems to be developing just fine for the future.

The Dellin Betances move surprised me. A good surprise but still, a surprise. This wouldn’t have happened without the reorganization of the Yoenis Cespedes contract.

I also don’t think the Mets have to look outside their organization anymore for help in the 2020 pen.

What I do hope they do is clean out the 40-man squad of some of the dead wood still on the payroll… my candidates would include Tyler Bashlor, Walker Lockett, Corey Oswalt, Jacob Rhame, and Paul Sewald. I’ve got bigger fish to fry than this spilled milk.

I also know there is new talent a brewin’ down under… Ryley Gilliam, Stephen Villines, Adonis Uceta, and Yeizo Campos will be the contenders for the 2021 pen and need a full season in Syracuse to get ready for the accent to Queens.

Lastly, Betances and new Mets manager Carlos Beltran are close friends. Their wives are close friends. Beltran manages a New York baseball team. Betances now plays for the same New York baseball team. Betances is a born and bred New Yorker. Do you see where I am going here?

I expect this to become a long-term relationship.

John From Albany – Mets Breakfast Links 12/29/2019

In the Puerto Rican Winter League last night:

Tomas Nido did not play for the Criollos de Caguas in an 11 inning 3-2 Criollos win (box).

FYI, in 7 games this winter, Tomas is 6 for 25 for a .240 Avg, 1 double, 3 RBIs, 5 Ks. 

In that game however two ex-minor league Mets saw action for Criollos opponent, Cangrejeros de Santurce.

Former Brooklyn Cyclone, Binghamton Mets, etc. Mike Antonini pitched one inning giving up one hit with two strikeouts.  In 5 games this winter, Mike has pitched 6 games this winter – 5 in the Dominican League and now one game in the Puerto Rican League and has not allowed any runs with 7 Ks in 5.1 innings.  In 2019 Mike pitched in the Mexican League where he was 0-1 in 26 games, 20.1 innings pitched, 11 walks, 19 Ks with a 4.87 ERA. 

Former 2018 Las Vegas 51, Bryce Brentz, went 0 for 4 with a strikeout and a bases loaded walk.  In 4 games and 16 at-bats this winter, Bryce is hitting .063.

No current Mets played last night in the Dominican but here are some notable ex-Mets and ex-minor league Mets that played:

Jordany Valdespin went 0 for 4 as his team Toros Del Este, lost 6-3 (box). 

In the other Dominican game last night, the Aguilas Cibaenas beat the Leones del Escogido 4-1 (box).  In that game -

Carlos Gomez went 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI. 

Cesar Puello went 0 for 3.

Joey Terdoslavich went 0 for 3 with a walk.

Gerson Bautista pitched 1.1 innings giving up no hits and no runs. 

Matt Pobereyko also pitched a scoreless inning giving up just one walk. 

There have been all sorts of decade and end of the year lists posted on various sites this month. 

The best has to be Faith and Fear in Flushing’s top 100 Mets of the 2010s.

Today we have more –

Faith and Fear in Flushing had the 2019 Oscar’s Cap awards. This is the “eighth annual survey of the Met year in popular culture”.

NBC Sports has been running a series of Top 25 Baseball Stories of the Decade.  Yesterday they posted #8: Biogenesis scandal. Some others: #9: Bullpens take over; #10: Rise of the young player; #11 Baseball goes from Dead Ball to Juiced Ball.

MiLB.com had the Minor League Ballparks of the Decade.  A Mets affiliate made the cut! “Segra Park (Columbia Fireflies, South Atlantic League) -- After playing their final season at Grayson Stadium in 2015, the Savannah Sand Gnats relocated to Segra Park [initially called Spirit Communications Park] and became the Fireflies. The facility, part of a larger development project, is located on the grounds of a former mental hospital.”

New York Mets Videos had the top ten Mets games of the decade.

The NY Post ranked the top 10 NY Sports moments of the decade. Of Mets note: #2: Santana’s No-Hitter, June 1, 2012; #7: Mets World Series Run, Oct. 2015. 

Metsmerized had the top 5 Mets draft picks of the decade. 5. Pete Alonso, 4. Seth Lugo, 3. Jeff McNeil, 2. Michael Conforto, 1. Jacob deGrom.

MLB.com had the trades that shaped the 2010s. No Mets trades.  I guess the fact that the Mets landed Yoenis Cespedes and he led them to a National League Championship was no big deal.    

Rising Apple had the 10 worst seasons by starting pitchers in the 2010s. #10 Chris Capuano, Dillon Gee, and Jon Niese in 2011; #9: Johan Santana in 2012; #8: Seth Lugo in 2017; #7: Matt Harvey in 2016…you get the idea but listed as #1 was Matt Harvey in 2017.

Pete Alonso is the NY Daily News Sports Person of the year.

Reflections on Baseball says keep everybody, fold the tent for now, strike again in July. I agree and just hope no more prospects get dealt.

Reflections on Baseball also had why the Miami Marlins hold the keys to the NL East.

Mets 360 looked had another look at the Mets projected 2020 26 man roster. 

Metsmerized says the Mets can’t afford to trade Stroman or Matz. “The removal of either would put the Mets in position to need Michael Wacha to become their fifth starter, which would, in turn, make Rick Porcello their fourth starter.”

Fangraphs.com had MLB teams projected WAR for 2020.  Based on this, the Mets currently have the highest in the NL East with 43.9; Nationals 41.0; Braves 40.0; Phillies 36.1; Marlins 20.4. 

Talk Nats.com had more on this. 

The San Francisco Chronicle had the story of a very dangerous trend: the failure to hire African American Managers.  “I told somebody about 10 years ago that I saw this coming, with the decline in African American players,” said Dusty Baker, who ranks 15th all-time with 1,863 victories. “I’ve lived long enough to see trends, and this is a very dangerous trend. Everybody talks about it, but who’s doing anything about it?”

Cleveland.com asked if the Reds can afford Francisco Lindor, why can’t the Indians.

The Marlins are to sign Corey Dickerson.

MLB Trade Rumors had the Braves plan for third base including Nolan Arenado. "The Braves are unlikely to “aggressively” pursue a Nolan Arenado trade as long as incumbent starter Josh Donaldson remains on the market, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported on Saturday citing unnamed sources (link)."

Mack’s Mets blast from the past comes from December 2009: Mack looked at Joe Torre, Joe Smith, and the New Stadium boom. 

UltimateMets has this date in Mets History:

Born on this date:

• Emil Brown (1974) Emil Brown played 3 games for the Mets in 2009.  He got one hit and one walk in 6 plate appearances.  Per Baseball Reference: On May 29, 2009: Sent to the New York Mets by the San Diego Padres as part of a conditional deal. On July 20, 2009: Released by the New York Mets.

Died on this date:

• Chris Cannizzaro (2016)

Transactions:

Texas Rangers signed Kenny Rogers of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 29, 1999.

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OPEN THREAD - If You Where Steve Cohen... part 2

Would you do everything you can to sign catcher J.T. Realmuto?

Or...

Would you do everything you can to sign pitcher James Paxton?

John From Albany – Mets Breakfast Links 12/28/2019

Good Morning.  Happy Birthday to Ray Knight, John Milner, and Benny Agbayani.

Starting off today is a post from Reflections on Baseball that hits home on many levels.  Guest columnist Michael Tirella had this: “Here’s my take on why ALL PRO SPORTS are on the downswing…1.)  The quality of the game itself is close to unwatchable. The NBA leads the pack but MLB is right in line. There’s no more strategy. The sacrifice, suicide, push, and base hit bunts have been close to removed from baseball.”

As I said previously here on Mack’s Mets, it made the Mets decision to fire Brooklyn Manager Edgardo Alfonzo even more frustrating after the way he lead the Brooklyn Cyclones to the NY Penn League Championship.  “More than the fact that Fonzie won, it was the way he won, how the team played, the emphasis on fundamentals, the emphasis on defense, the emphasis on the running game and the emphasis on manufacturing runs.  They scored runs on outs time and time again.  Brooklyn was a flat-out exciting team all year.”

The NY Post had the top 15 NY debacles of the decade.  Two Mets moves made the list: #2 - Wilpon/Madoff association means Mets don’t spend and #12 – Yoenis Cespedes injury/mishandle/reinjury.

Yahoo Sports had MLB's decade-defining moments: The Cubs finally win the World Series.

Rising Apple had how bad defense sunk the Mets in the 2016 World Series.  Did it ever! From Yoenis Cespedes turning the Royals first hit of the series into an inside the park home run in Game 1 to Lucas Duda not being able to throw out Eric Hosmer at the plate in Game 5.

Metsmerized had the best and worst trade of every Mets GM.  Great rundown of some great and not so great Mets moves. 

Also on Metsmerized, a state of the Mets projected 26-man roster.

Mets.com had the case for Jeff Kent for Hall of Fame.

SNY.TV says “Why Dellin Betances was a necessary gamble for the Mets”.  “…the signing of Dellin Betances this week was both a necessary gamble and a desperately needed way for Brodie Van Wagenen to energize a highly skeptical fan base in an otherwise uneventful winter. The GM simply didn't have any credibility in trying to sell the notion that the Mets could bank on bounce-backs from Jeurys Familia and Edwin Diaz as the cure for the bullpen that wrecked their season.”

NJ.com says the Mets signing Dellin Betances is good news for the Yankees. By signing Betances to a creatively-structured deal, the Mets are likely out of the running for Milwaukee Brewers lefty Josh Hader. That, of course, takes one suitor out of the Hader bidding for the Yankees to compete with.

Elite Sports NY says New York Mets’ Dellin Betances: A risk? Absolutely. The right move? You bet.

Empire Sports Media says that Brandon Nimmo is an asset thanks to his plate discipline. “In fact, among players with at least 250 plate appearances, Brandon Nimmo’s 18.1 BB% ranked second in MLB. Do you care to guess who was number one? Yes, him. Mike Trout led all players with a 18.3 BB%.”

Mets 360 had a poll if the Mets should trade for Starling Marte.  (At last look the No’s were in the lead.)

The NY Times had a story of when Baseball made an appearance at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. “In 1936, more than 100,000 spectators were, in the words of one sportswriter, ‘unbearably bored’ by America’s pastime.”

MiLB had news of four minor league players being suspended for Drugs. "Four Minor League players were suspended Friday after violating the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Pirates right-hander Andy Maldonado and free-agent right-hander Daniel De Leon received 72-game suspension for testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug Stanozolol. Red Sox catcher Elih Marrero and free agent left-hander Cole Watts were handed 50-game suspensions after testing positive for the stimulant Amphetamine."

MLB Trade Rumors took stock of the First Base Market. “If a team would rather land a younger, longer-term option, the Mets have a pair of possibilities on offer. Dominic Smith doesn’t appear to have anywhere to play in New York with Peter Alonso hogging all the action at first. While J.D. Davis is capable of playing third base or the corner outfield, which boosts his appeal, some teams would surely rather stash his bat (if they believe in it) at first base rather than exposing him to the more difficult defensive positions.”

Syracuse.com had the Syracuse images of the decade including the Mets visit before the 2019 season with Noah Syndergaard waving the Syracuse flag and Tim Tebow on the Syracuse Mets as part of the Syracuse Chiefs becoming the Syracuse Mets.

Speaking of Tim Tebow, Tiger.net had Tim’s prediction for today's Fiesta Bowl between No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 Clemson.

The Phillies signed Christian Bethancourt to a minor league contract. Per MLB Trade Rumors: “Bethancourt came up as a rifle-armed catcher, but has been utilized in creative ways since cracking the majors back in 2014. The Padres put him in the outfield, at second base, and even on the mound. He has also seen professional action at first base.”  Christian went 2 for 3 with a run scored in the Dominican last night.

Media Goon had how the Queens Baseball Convention scheduled for January was cancelled.

Don Imus, morning host of Sports Radio WFAN in NYC for years, passed away on Friday.

Mack’s Mets blast from the past comes from December 2009: Mack looked at Mets prospects Carlos Gomez, Ruben Tejada, and Wilmer Flores.   

In the Puerto Rican Winter League last night:

Tomas Nido DH’d once again for Criollos de Caguas going 1 for 4 with an RBI in the 4-2 Criollos loss (box). In 7 games this winter, Tomas is 6 for 25 for a .240 Avg, 1 double, 3 RBIs, 5 Ks. 

No current Mets played last night in the Dominican but here are some notable ex-Mets and minor league Mets that played:

Jordany Valdespin went 0 for 4.

Jenrry Mejia had a rough night coming into the ninth with his team, Toros Del Este, up 5-0.  Jenrry gave up 3 runs on 4 huts and recorded two outs but Toros held on for the 5-3 win (box). 

Carlos Gomez went 0 for 3 with a strikeout. 

Cesar Puello went 3 for 5 with 2 RBIs.

Former Binghamton Rumble Ponies Joey Terdoslavich went 2 for 4.

Matt Pobereyko pitched a scoreless inning.  He has pitched well this winter going 4 and 1 in 29 games with a 1.67 ERA, 30 Ks in 27 innings. 

UltimateMets has this date in Mets History:

Born on this date:

• Nelson Burbrink (1921)
• John Milner (1949)
• Ray Knight (1952)
• Benny Agbayani (1971)

Transactions:

New York Mets traded Pat Zachry to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Jorge Orta on December 28, 1982.

Chicago White Sox signed Darrin Jackson of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 28, 1993.

New York Mets purchased Gary Matthews from the Pittsburgh Pirates on December 28, 2001.

New York Mets signed free agent Tim Hamulack on December 28, 2004.

New York Mets signed free agent Manny Aybar on December 28, 2004.

New York Mets signed free agent Chris Woodward of the Toronto Blue Jays on December 28, 2004.

Chicago Cubs signed Taylor Teagarden of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 28, 2014.

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