John From Albany – Mets Breakfast Links 12/26/2019

The big news continued to revolve around how, as Mack’s Mets reported on Tuesday, the Mets signed Dellin Betances. 

Mike Puma in the NY Post says the Mets are counting on a risky plan.  “Not long ago, a rotation that slotted in Rick Porcello, Marcus Stroman and Michael Wacha behind the team’s big guns would have sounded downright terrorizing, and a lineup that included Yoenis Cespedes and Robinson Cano wouldn’t have been far behind. Rewind two years and a bullpen featuring Edwin Diaz, Jeurys Familia and Dellin Betances on the back end would have tantalized… Of the eight players just mentioned, the Mets will need at least three or four to approach their old form if they are to take the next step and snap a three-season playoff drought.”

Joel Sherman says that “Dellin Betances is volatile risk Mets had to take. For the Mets, adding Betances to the risk is worth the potential reward. As opposed to Diaz, he has shown he can handle New York, now completing his five borough odyssey: raised in Manhattan, school in Brooklyn, minors in Staten Island, Yankees in The Bronx and Mets in Queens.”

Reflections on Baseball says the Betances signing is “of a team in it to win it.” The writer says “The addition of Betances is a step forward in this direction. If it stops here, the Mets are still a better team than they were yesterday. But given the level of competition coming from the Braves, Phillies, and Nationals – more is needed.”

Elite Sports NY says that Alex Rodriguez endorses the Betances signing.  “Fantastic Christmas gift for the Mets by signing a supreme talent in @dbetances68 (Betances),” A-Rod said on his IG story. He’s hungry and ready to shine in Queens.”

Metsmerized asked if the Mets should add another reliever. They suggest that the Mets may option Robert Gsellman and suggest possible relievers “like Pedro Strop, Brandon Kintzler, Steve Cishek, Craig Stammen, or Francisco Liriano. “

MetsMinors had to make room for Betances, the Mets designated Sam Haggerty for assignment.

Mets 360 talked about Carlos Beltran’s challenge to avoid the May/June swoons. 

Mets 360 also had that “Bing Devine was an unsung architect of the ‘69 Mets.”  The author makes a lot of good points including how it was Devine who convinced George Weiss and Joan Payson to enter the drawing to sign Tom Seaver.

Rising Apple asked “What if Ron Darling came up with a huge start for the New York Mets in Game Seven of the 1988 NLCS? Let’s rewrite some history.” 

Rising Apple compared the 2019 Mets to the 2009 Mets.

Rising Apple thinks the Blue Jays may be a destination for Yoenis Cespedes. 

Rising Apple also had five 2020 mets storylines we should expect to see: “Is Amed Rosario a top shortstop in baseball? Are the Mets committed to Noah Syndergaard long-term? Why don’t we appreciate Michael Conforto more? Will the Mets ever move Robinson Cano to the bench? Can the bullpen stay this hot?” 

The NY Post’s Kevin Kernan reported how MLB’s plan to cut 42 minor league teams is a slap in the face to Jackie Robinson.  “In its zest to declare war against the minor leagues, one of the 42 teams MLB is attempting to wipe off the face of the baseball planet after the 2020 season is the team that plays at Jackie Robinson Ballpark, a gorgeous little stadium on City Island along the Halifax River…where Jackie played his first professional game, the first racially integrated spring training game, on March 17, 1946, between the Brooklyn Dodgers and Jackie’s Montreal Royals.”

Syracuse.com had the top five Syracuse minor league moments in the last decade: #5 - Stephen Strasburg show makes a stop in Syracuse.  #1 - The Mets replace the Chiefs. 

Yahoo Sports had how Curt Flood set off the free agent revolution when he refused a trade to Philadelphia on December 24^, 1969. 

Yahoo Sports also had the MLB all decade team.  Good news – it includes a Mets player.  Bad news it’s not Jacob deGrom and it’s for someone who had his best years before he came to the Mets – Robinson Cano. 

Faith and Fear in Flushing recapped their great series of top 100 Mets of the 2010’s with a full list summary.

MLB Trade Rumors reported that the White Sox will sign Edwin Encarnacion. “…a one-year, $12MM deal that includes a $1MM signing bonus and $11MM salary.”

Mack’s Mets blast from the past comes from December 2010: Mack answered a question from a reader regarding then prospect Zack Lutz.  

No Winter League Games on Christmas yesterday in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, or Australia.  There were games in Mexico, but no current Mets or Mets minor leaguers are playing there. 

Stony Brook Athletics.com interviewed Daniel Zamora who just came back from pitching in the Dominican League.  Daniel talked about his plan this spring for making the team and what he worked on in the Dominican League: "I'm really going to go out there and do what I do best," Zamora said. "I worked on my fastball this winter with Phil [Regan]. Phil really got my confidence up a lot from where it was earlier this year. So I plan to get my fastball going, continue to throw my slider the way I throw it, and I honestly have a changeup I can use now. I'm actually going to use it this year — not just, 'Hey, it's in my back pocket.' It's in my front pocket. I'm going to use it."

Since Mack’s Mets was closed yesterday for Christmas, we have two days in Mets History from UltimateMets:

Born on 12/25:

• Al Jackson (1935)
• Jack Hamilton (1938)
• Dennis Musgraves (1943)
• Rickey Henderson (1958)
• Tom O'Malley (1960)
• Ruben Gotay (1982)

Died on 12/25:

• Nino Espinosa (1987)
• Jim Beauchamp (2007)

Born on this date 12/26:

• Ray Sadecki (1940)
• Chris Chambliss (1948)

Transactions:

New York Mets signed free agent Scott Holman on December 26, 1979.

New York Mets signed free agent Jim Tatum on December 26, 1997.

New York Mets signed free agent Pete Walker on December 26, 2000.

Want more?  Check out https://sportspyder.com/mlb/new-york-mets/news. 

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