Happy Birthday to Todd
Frazier, Lenny
Randle, and Guillermo
Granadillo. Luis Rojas, Michael Conforto,
Dellin
Betances, and Noah
Syndergaard spoke to the Media plus MLB’s crazy playoff idea is still in
the news. So, let’s hit the links:
SNY.TV
had video clips of the Rojas Press Conference: On the Syndergaard-Ramos
connection - "They're great teammates and they get along so great,"
he said. "I happened to be around them yesterday and they're going to work
together. They're gonna work in collaboration.";
On Yoenis
Cespedes' expectations - "We don't have a timeline. He's running, he's
hitting. I've had conversations with him, but I don't have a timeline
yet," Rojas said. "The performance staff is working on his
progression and we're going from there."
The other big quote was - "We
expect to be a contender," he said. "We know how all the teams are
prepared. We're going to be in a tough division and we're going to face some
tough teams this year in our schedule and we know that. We feel that we're
built to win."
On
the Rotation, Deesha Thosar of the Daily News had this quote from Rojas: ““It
probably won't be a surprise that Jake (deGrom)
is probably on Opening Day,” Rojas said. “But we're not defining roles yet of
2, 3, 4, 5 or sixth starter. We're not there yet. We're going to sit back and
have fun watching these guys pitch in spring training.”
Mike Puma of the NY Post had this quote from Rojas: “We have a great roster. We have great position players with versatility. We have a great starting rotation with pitchers that have the history, Cy Youngs, World Series winners and a bullpen with a lot of history saving games, being closers, so it’s a team that is built to win. Right now, the thing that is going to keep us moving and moving to the direction we want to go, is spring training. It starts [Wednesday].”
Mike Puma of the NY Post had this quote from Rojas: “We have a great roster. We have great position players with versatility. We have a great starting rotation with pitchers that have the history, Cy Youngs, World Series winners and a bullpen with a lot of history saving games, being closers, so it’s a team that is built to win. Right now, the thing that is going to keep us moving and moving to the direction we want to go, is spring training. It starts [Wednesday].”
SNY.TV
had clips and quotes from Michael Conforto’s Press Conference, on Luis
Rojas Michael
said: "Top to bottom we all respect him, all have respected him, have all
loved him as a coach. I'm really excited for him. ... He came up with us, so I
think there's that kind of respect we have for him as well. He kinda grinded it
out with us in the minor leagues and now he's here with us, so that's a pretty
cool thing."
Joel
Sherman of the NY Post talked about Luis Rojas’ tricky power, stress balance as
Mets’ modern manager: Regarding the extra resources manager have today Joel says – “Yet, I would argue that the major league manager has a tougher job
than ever. Because he has to know so much more about so much more. He has to
manage up to his bosses and down to the clubhouse with the proper blend of tact
and sternness. He has to meet reporters more than ever — often twice a day from
the beginning of spring training to the end of the year...”
Per
SNY.TV: “Dellin
Betances at Mets spring training: 'I'll be ready for Opening Day'”.
Per
SNY.TV: Mets' Noah Syndergaard on vaunted slider: 'It seems to be back to
where it was'
MiLB
interviewed Rob Whalen on his return to the Mets. In the article Rob talks extensively about
his problems in Seattle and his new hope with the Mets: "Coming to the [St.
Lucie] complex for the first time in several years ... it felt like I never
left. I'm so excited to be back with the Mets," Whalen said."
About that expanded playoff idea?
No
less than Bob Costas supports the idea.
From the NY Post: “Something like this is going to happen,” Costas
told The Post. “Generally speaking, I’m in favor of it. I find the concept
behind it appealing. I find the television aspect appealing. The more
meaningful postseason games you have, the better. I’m good with all of that.”
12up.com
had more on the proposed new playoff plan with this: “MLB pundits, like
ESPN's Buster Olney, are convinced that small market teams will be presented
the opportunity to overcome financial discrepancy and make the postseason. (Los
Angeles Dodgers left-hander Alex) Wood rightfully disagrees and backs his
vantage point perfectly, specifically noting that the Kansas City Royals just
sold for $1 billion (!). It proves that small market clubs that deploy rosters
with paltry payrolls doesn't necessarily mean they are struggling with
finances.”
213
Miles from Shea had: “Get To Know a Non-Roster Invitee: Ryley
Gilliam.”
SI.com
had the biggest losers of the offseason: The Astros, the Red Sox, MLB
Commissioner Rob Manfred, and…Jacob
deGrom?: “Before the 2019 season, deGrom signed a five-year, $137.5 million
extension with the Mets, beginning in 2020. Had he not done so, the 31-year-old
would have been a free agent this winter in a robust market for top-tier
starters. Most likely, he could have signed for seven or eight years and made
at least a quarter-billion dollars, more than what Stephen Strasburg got to re-sign
with the Nationals.”
Thanks to Reese for sending me this story:
MLB.com
looked at who has the best fastball in each Major League Organization. For the Mets it is Matthew
Allan: “The ultra-projectable 18-year-old righty’s fastball already touches
97 mph on a regular basis and he maintains that velocity deep into starts. He
adeptly drives the ball down in the zone but can also pitch up with his
fastball, showing good command of the pitch both in and out of the strike zone.”
Per
MiLB.com they continued their ranking of the top farm systems for position
players. In the #’s 20-11 group, the
Mets were listed at #17. About the Mets
they said: “At just 18 years old, Ronny Mauricio headlines a crop of young
talent in a rising Mets system. The switch-hitting shortstop put together a
solid campaign at Class A Columbia, hitting .268/.307/.357 in 116 games, and
was named a midseason South Atlantic League All-Star. Given his age and room to
grow (especially in the power department), the Mets will continue to push
Mauricio harder in 2020…With most of the Mets' young talent in the lower
levels, the team has plenty of room for growth.”
Here
is their #30-21 Group: Milwaukee was ranked #30, Astros #29, Yankees #24.
12up.com
had new of a story from The Athletic with more information on Carlos Beltran’s
role in the sign stealing scandal: “The report claims that Beltran, upon
arriving in Houston in 2017, told the Astros that they were "behind the
times" when it came to stealing signs. Brian McCann even reportedly
approached Beltran about stopping the affair, but his efforts were for naught.”
Per
Elite Sports NY: “The report says that Beltran “bullied” and “bulldozed”
his way through the clubhouse to get his way. He was given nicknames like “the
Godfather” and “the King”.”
Ken
Davidoff in the NY Post on this story wrote: “It remains imperative to
question the Mets’ overall competence as we wonder why they didn’t probe
further before hiring Beltran.”
Per
AP News: “Marwin
González became the first batter from the 2017 Houston Astros team that won
the World Series to publicly apologize for his role in the sign-stealing
scandal, expressing regret Tuesday after reporting to spring training with the
Minnesota Twins.”
Per Elite Sports NY: “Former New York Mets reliever John Franco slams the Astros for sign-stealing scandal”
Per Elite Sports NY: “Former New York Mets reliever John Franco slams the Astros for sign-stealing scandal”
Per
Yahoo Sports: “Astros sign-stealing scheme was reportedly one of the worst
kept secrets in MLB: 'Everybody knew it'”
The article contained this quote: “The team’s cheating became so well
known that advanced scouts would make notes in their reports about the Astros
stealing signs. Opposing teams and players became so frustrated with the
situation that they tipped off the Nationals before the 2019 World Series. The
Nationals defeated the Astros in seven games.”
According to NBC Sports Boston, it was Alex Cora who tipped off the Nationals.
Also NBC Sports Boston wondered "Is Ron Roenicke just keeping seat warm for Alex Cora's return to Red Sox?"
According to NBC Sports Boston, it was Alex Cora who tipped off the Nationals.
Also NBC Sports Boston wondered "Is Ron Roenicke just keeping seat warm for Alex Cora's return to Red Sox?"
From
SNY.TV: Pete Alonso
took a friendly jab at Noah Syndergaard saying that he can work out without a
shirt as well.
NBC
Sports Boston: “Chris Sale will be slow to start spring training.”
Per
APNews: The San Diego Padres have agreed to minor league deals with
outfielder Juan Lagares and infielder Gordon Beckham, a person familiar with
the agreements told The Associated Press.
Mack’s
Blast From the Past comes from February 12, 2013 – Mack had 5 Questions with…
Gotham Nation’s Mark Healey. They
talk about Mainstream Media Vs. New Media, Brandon
Nimmo and more.
Born on this date:
- Francisco Estrada (1948)
- Lenny Randle (1949)
- Ruben Amaro (1965)
- Dennis Springer (1965)
- Tim Redding (1978)
- Todd Frazier (1986)
- Guillermo
Granadillo (1997)
Baltimore Orioles signed Ray Knight of the New York Mets as a free agent on February 12, 1987.
Montreal Expos signed Rick Cerone of the New York Mets as a free agent on February 12, 1992.
New York Mets signed free agent James Baldwin on February 12, 2004.
New York Mets signed free agent Chris Aguila on February 12, 2008.
New York Mets sold Matt Reynolds to the Washington Nationals on February 12, 2018.
2011
|
"Doris
From Rego Park" makes its debut on Jonathan Schwartz's weekend
program on WNYC-FM. The song, written and performed by Don Rosler, is a
tribute to Doris Bauer, the Mets fan who became a New York institution as a
late-night caller to WFAN sports radio before she died in 2003.
|
2016
|
Jenrry
Mejia becomes the first player to receive a lifetime ban for three failed
tests for performance-enhancing substances, after testing positive for
boldenone, a steroid used in horse racing. The 26 year-old Mets former closer
claims that he only failed one test, states the second sets of results to be
inaccurate, and believes that MLB fabricated the latest violation to remove
him from the sport.
|
Want more?
Check out https://sportspyder.com/mlb/new-york-mets/news.
8 comments:
John From Albany with yet another great Breakfast Links.
Betances will be ready? We'll be ready for him!
Noah Syndergaard on vaunted slider: 'It seems to be back to where it was.' I want HIM to win the Cy Young this year. Why not?
I for one am on the Rob Whelan Train - expecting a great comeback year from him.
Thanks Tom. Lots to root about for Rob Whalen. Really pulling for him
Anyone here but me who remembers Doris From Rego Park?
She knew her baseball. A lot of people laughed at her problem speaking without frequent throat-clearing until it was revealed that she had throat Cancer. I believe that was what she died from.
RIP, Doris! 😞
I remember Bill all the way up here in Albany. WFAN comes in here clear at night. The song brought back a lot of memories.
I remember Rosalita from Rego Park but that's another story...
Seriously, I too hope Whalen settles into the AAA rotation and fins a way back to Queens in 2021.
Mack - I will say hi to Rob for you in Syracuse.
Ed Lynch started last season as the pitching coach for the Long Island Ducks (under Wally Backman) but quit after a few months.
This year's Ducks pitching coach is another ex-Met. Mauro "Goose" Gozzo.
Thanks Bob. Wonder if they will be stealing first base this year.
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