12/8/19

John From Albany – Mets Breakfast Links 12/8/2019 with Winter Ball re-cap


Full Winter League Recap as the Dominican League was on an all-star break. Chris Flexen has a new home as the Winter Meetings start today.

More stories about the Mets Ownership change.

The NY Post’s Phil Mushnick has his own unique take. “Call me a party pooper, but this Steve Cohen-to-the-rescue angle comes stuck to a familiar, familial stench, the kind the Mets’ ownership regularly emits. Is Steve Cohen a hedge fund boss or a hedgehog?... That the Wilpons even still own the Mets to sell to Cohen is both troubling and characteristic of a business overseen by consecutive MLB commissioners who can’t seem to get their stories straight.”



Beyond the Box score thinks that Steve Cohen is not going to save the Mets. Sheryl Ring ran down Steve Cohen’s troubles with the SEC and said: “In any event, Cohen’s acquisition of the Mets seems to be less about the team, and more the latest in a long line of swift-turnaround transactions made for the purpose of revenue generation.” Not sure I agree.  I think this purchase is more in line with his Art purchases and not something he will sell quick.  We will see.

Reflections on Baseball thinks Steve Cohen will be George Steinbrenner on Steroids.  He thinks the Mets will be his new toy “Cohen loves his extravagant toys.  Cohen spent a reported $8-12 million on a shark suspended in formaldehyde titled ‘The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living.’”


As the Winter Meetings start today MLB Trade Rumors talked how “the Winter Meetings are an important venue for discussion of an array of league issues.”  On Friday, “MLB met with minor league reps for the first of many sessions negotiating the proposed new structure for the minor league system… MLB cannot force the retraction, but the current contract runs out in September, by which time the two sides hope to have a new agreement in place – though that’s hardly a sure thing.”



SNY.TV also has 6 things for Mets fans to keep an eye on at the Winter Meetings. Pitching, the bullpen, What’s up with Cespedes and a Brodie Surprise? (Brodie – just say “NO”.)

As Mack said yesterday in his “Winter is Coming” thread: “DON'T SCREW UP. No long contracts to aging old stars. And no more trading of our chips.”

Mike Puma had three questions for the Mets at the Winter meetings:  Can they land an impact reliever? What about the back end of the rotation? Is Starling Marte still on the radar?


Metsmerized has the benefits of bringing back Brad Brach.  “…plugging a hole ahead of Monday’s Winter Meetings with a viable option while saving a few bucks is never a bad thing.”

MLB Trade Rumors also reports that Chris Flexen will sign with the Doosan Bears of the Korean Baseball Organization.  “The terms of the deal aren’t yet known, but Flexen will presumably take home significantly more with the Bears than he would’ve had he cleared waivers and remained in the Mets’ system.”   





Mets Minors has a great piece on the all decade Mets Minor League team. You may want to disagree on a player here or there but a great read.



MiLB had the full list of top 10 minor league games of 2019. #5 – “DSL Yanks set scoring record in 38-2 win.”  Unless you are a DSL Yankees fan, how is that a top game?        

No Games in the Dominican Republic last night due to the All-Star break.  The Alou All Stars will face the Marichal All-Stars today.

With that in mind, here is a recap of the Mets players and some ex-Mets that have appeared this winter. 

Pitching for Toros Del Este in the Dominican League where Phil Regan is the pitching coach:

Tyler Bashlor: 0-1; 1.80 ERA; 5 games; 5 innings; 4 hits, 1 runs, 1 earned, 1HR, 0 walks, 8 Ks.

Chris Mazza: 1-1; 4.50 ERA; 6 games; 12 innings; 19 hits, 7 runs, 6 earned, 2 walks, 13 Ks.

Daniel Zamora: 0-0; 0.00 ERA; 7 games, 4 innings, 5 hits, 1 un-earned run, 2 walks, 6 Ks.


Harol Gonzalez: 0-2; 5.52 ERA; 6 Games; 14.2 innings, 25 hits, 11 runs, 9 earned, 7 walks, 12 Ks.  Harol is eligible for the Rule 5 draft this week as he was not added to the 40 man roster.  More about Harol here.

Pitching for Leones del Escogido:

St. Lucie’s Carlos Hernandez: 0-1; 18.00 ERA; 2 games; 2 innings; 6 hits; 4 runs (all earned); 2 walks, 1 K.

Adonis Uceta: 1-0; 0.00 ERA; 8 games; 6.1 innings; 2 hits; 2 unearned runs; 6 walks; 6 Ks.

Sam Haggerty also saw some action for Leones del Escogido. In 2 games Sam went 1 for 8 with a stolen base for a .125 average with 3 Ks.

Playing in the Mexican Pacific League, Mets minor league catcher Juan Uriarte is hitting .067 in 8 games, 15 at bats, 1 hit, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts.

Some notable ex-Mets include:

Wuilmer Becerra, once a big part of the R.A. Dickey trade from Toronto, is hitting .355 in 25 games Venezuela.  Good for 9th highest in the league.

Former Mets and Angels infielder Wilfredo Tovar is also in the top 20 hitters in Venezuela hitting .319 in 24 games.

Jenrry Mejia: 1-1; 2.86 ERA; 7 games, 28.1 innings; 18 hits, 11 Runs, 9 Earned, 1 HR, 14 walks, 14 Ks.

Jonathan Niese, just one game where he pitched 4 shutout innings giving up 2 hits, 4 walks with 3 Ks.

2019 Syracuse Mets Arismendy Alcantara who is hitting .258 in 33 games in the Dominican. 

Juan Lagares is having a solid winter hitting .333 in 21 games.

Jordany Valdespin is hitting .338 (2nd in league) in 35 games, 4 homers, 19 RBI’s. 

Anderson Hernandez, after getting his first hit of the winter off Chris Mazza the other night, he is now 1 for 27 in 18 games for a .037 Batting Average.

T.J. Rivera was playing in the Dominican league where he hit .200 in 19 games and now is doing better playing in Puerto Rico, .235 in 15 games.

UltimateMets has this date in Mets History:

Born on this date:
Transactions:

New York Mets purchased 
Richie Ashburn from the Chicago Cubs on December 8, 1961.

New York Mets traded Elio Chacon and Tracy Stallard to the St. Louis Cardinals for Johnny Lewis and Gordie Richardson on December 8, 1964.

New York Mets traded Jon Matlack and John Milner to the Texas Rangers for Willie MontanezKen Henderson and Tom Grieve on December 8, 1977.

New York Mets traded Jerry Koosman to the Minnesota Twins for Jesse Orosco and Greg Field on December 8, 1978.

New York Mets traded Bob Bailor and Carlos Diaz to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Sid Fernandez and Ross Jones on December 8, 1983.

Florida Marlins signed Dave Magadan of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 8, 1992.

Florida Marlins signed Al Leiter of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 8, 2004.

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

Want something else tracked here each day?  Please leave a comment below.

13 comments:

Tom Brennan said...

Bashlor and Zamora doing well, but it is how you do against real hitters that counts.

I wonder if Jon Niese is contemplating a comeback...he should talk Dillon Gee into trying too.

For a while, I thought Wuilmer Becerra would become the next Jake Marisnick.

John From Albany said...

I think Jon Niese is trying to come back. I would give him a minor deal. Zamora has been used this winter to get out Lefthanders. If they put the three batter rule into effect next year he will need to get out righthanders too.

Mack Ade said...

By my count, the Mets pen is shaping up as follows:

RHP Brach

RHP Diaz

RHP Familia

LHP Gonsalves

RHP Gsellman

RHP Lugo

LHP Wilson

LHP Zamora

Remember, all pitchers have to face 3 batters minimum in 2920... no more LOOGY's

John From Albany said...

Thanks Mack. I think that could be Mr. Zamora's problem next year.

bill metsiac said...

As usual, a GREAT job by you to post all this news every morning. Do you stay up all night like Count Dracula?

As for Zamora and others, the 3-batter rule isn't always a 3-batter rule. It is 3 batters OR the end of a half-inning. If a LOOGY comes in with 2 out, and retires the only batter he faces, he can be replaced at the start of the next inning.

bill metsiac said...

As I said to John above, it's 3 batters OR the end of the inning.

Is your list above in any particular order, or just alphabetical?

John From Albany said...

Thanks Bill. I have a dog that gets me up early in the AM but I also follow the winter games on the phone at night. The Australian games usually are just finishing when I get up.

Ernest Dove said...

I've got random updates on minor leaguers

Cody Bohanek working on lower body strengthening and launch angle swinging

Stephen Villines is living the life on Italy right now in training

Hansel Moreno trying to improve plate discipline and better hit the breaking ball in Australia

Conner oneil at a velocity camp trying to throw harder in 2020

Marcel Renteria trying to get stronger and maintain upper 90s velo while staying healthy

Zach Hammer trying to bulk up and get his velocity back to where he needs it

Guillorme at Barwis camp

John From Albany said...

Thanks Ernest. Do you know why Hansel Moreno left the game the other night in the First Inning? He has not played since.

John From Albany said...

Jordany Valdespin in the Dominican All Star game Home Run Derby today.

Ernest Dove said...

Let me ask him and get back to you.

Ernest Dove said...

Ok I got the scoop. I only wish to respectfully disclose that he is being shut down but that overall he is ok and will be rocking come spring

John From Albany said...

Thank you very much.