John From Albany – Mets Breakfast Links 12/22/2019

Joel Sherman of the NY Post says that nothing should stand in the Mets way from getting Nolan Arenado.  “Arenado has seven years at $234 million left on his pact, but can opt out after the 2021 season… And what do you give up? The Mets almost certainly would have to begin with someone off their major league roster, such as Jeff McNeil or Brandon Nimmo, which would lessen some of the impact of the addition.” 

Metsmerized had their take on Joel’s suggestion.

The NY Post also had Brandon Nimmo’s take on the NYC restaurants he likes.  

Mets.com had this holiday cartoon featuring Jake, a squirrel, and a polar bear.

Mets.com also had video of Pete Alonso being named breakout player of the year.

Rising Apple broke down Yoenis Cespedes contract and incentives.  For example - “According to ESPN.com, Cespedes will make a base salary of $6 million, regardless of what happens this season, whether he takes the field or not. However, once he is placed on the active roster by the team, his salary will be increased to $11 million.”

Mets 360 says even with a restructured contract Cespedes remains a logjam.

Reflections on Baseball looks at David Wright’s Hall of Fame Candidacy.

Rising Apple thinks Marcus Stroman could end the Gold Glove drought.

Rising Apple also looked at the Oakland A’s as a possible Mets trading partner to help fix the bullpen.

Elite Sports NY thinks the Mets should pounce this off season but not for Dellin Betances. “…the last thing the Mets need—though a healthy Betances would add depth—is another failure out of the pen that was paid a healthy sum.”

Yahoo Sports had that MLB, umpires reached a new 5 year deal that opens door for computerized strike zone.

Bleacher Report had more on the story as well.

One person who may not be happy is Frank Viola who was ejecting arguing balls and strikes with a robot umpire this past year.

Forbs.com said that MLB Sees Record $10.7 Billion In Revenues For 2019.

Faith and Fear in Flushing continued their top 100 Mets of the 2010’s with numbers 10-2: #10 Pete Alonso, #9 Michael Conforto, #8 Curtis Granderson, #7 Noah Syndergaard, #6 Matt Harvey, #5 Yoenis Cespedes, #4 R.A. Dickey, #3 Daniel Murphy, and #2 David Wright. 

MLB.com had the top prospects dealt this offseason.  #9 – Blake Taylor who the Mets sent to Houston as part of the Jake Marisnick trade.

MiLB had the all prospect team of the 2010’s.  No Mets made the team but Travis d'Arnaud and Noah Syndergaard received honorable mentions.

Meet the Mats say that the Gerrit Cole signing is the worst ever.

MLB Trade Rumors reported that the White Sox reached agreement on a deal with Dallas Keuchel, a three-year deal for $55.5MM.

Mack’s Mets blast from the past comes from December 2011: Dave Rubin said “Yes, Joey, It's Kidney Stones. Yes, Mets Fans, We Got Coal in Our Stockings Once Again - Get Used to It! (Part 1).”  

In the Puerto Rican Winter League last night,

Tomas Nido DH’d for Criollos de Caguas going 1 for 3 with a walk and a strikeout for in their 3-1 Criollos loss (box).  Tomas is now 4 for 18 for a .222 Avg, 1 RBI, 6 Ks as he builds up at-bats this winter. 

In that same game, former 2019 Mets pitcher Ryan O'Rourke was the winning pitcher pitching for Cangrejeros de Santurce. This winter Ryan is 2-2 with a 3.30 ERA in 7 games (all starts), 30 innings, 29 hits, 6 walks, 23 SO’s.

In case you missed it this past year, Ryan had an eventful 2019 with the Syracuse Mets last year including being released twice, one time via twitter.

Carlos Cortes did not see action as his team, the Indios de Mayaguez., did not play. The 2019 St. Lucie Met is 1 for 9 in three games with a strikeout for a .111 average.

The playoffs got underway in the Dominican League. No current Mets saw action. 

Ex-Met Jordany Valdespin continued to shine.  He went 3 for 4 last night with an RBI and a walk.

Carlos Gomez went 0 for 3 with three strikeouts. 

Dario Alvarez also saw action giving up a hit to the only batter he saw.

Cesar Puello went 1 for 4.

UltimateMets has this date in Mets History:

Born on this date:

• Gavin Cecchini (1993)

Transactions:

New York Mets signed free agent Tom Filer on December 22, 1992.

New York Mets signed free agent Mauro Gozzo on December 22, 1992.

New York Mets signed free agent Steve Springer on December 22, 1992.

New York Mets signed free agent Wayne Housie on December 22, 1992.

New York Mets traded Carl Everett to the Houston Astros for John Hudek on December 22, 1997.

New York Mets signed free agent Ramon Castro of the Florida Marlins on December 22, 2004.

New York Mets signed free agent Endy Chavez of the Philadelphia Phillies on December 22, 2005.

Milwaukee Brewers signed Sean Green of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 22, 2010.

New York Mets signed free agent Omar Quintanilla of the Texas Rangers on December 22, 2011.

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