John From Albany – Mets Breakfast Links 3/25/2020

Good Morning.  Happy Birthday to Lee Mazzilli and Tom Glavine.  Lots of links about Noah and his torn UCL, plus we have a K-Met link!

As we had yesterday on Mack’s Mets, Noah Syndergaard has a torn UCL and will undergo Tommy John Surgery.

CBS Sports: Even though baseball is nowhere to be found at the moment, the Mets -- in partial measure because they are the Mets -- managed to conjure up bad news from somewhere in the unseen ether.

NBC Sports: [Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen] “said that Syndergaard will have the surgery on Thursday at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. Which is a bit odd given that elective surgeries are currently prohibited in New York under governor’s orders due to the pandemic, but I suppose whether this is “elective” is a matter of nuance. It would be for you or me, but maybe not for a professional athlete. Just throw that onto the pile of things about which we are uncertain in the current situation.”

Mike Puma NY Post: No, Noah Syndergaard’s Tommy John surgery doesn’t violate coronavirus rules.  According to an industry source, the pitcher and team were told Syndergaard has an acutely torn UCL with acute compression of the ulnar nerve. Syndergaard and the team were told, according to the source, the condition fits the essential surgery guidelines.

12UP.com: Mets Blew it by Not Trading Noah Syndergaard During Summer of 2019.

Mike Puma NY Post: Where the Mets will turn after Noah Syndergaard disaster. “Among the in-house possibilities are David Peterson, Walker Lockett and Corey Oswalt should the Mets need another rotation arm. The lefty Peterson was the organization’s top draft pick in 2017, but hasn’t pitched above the Double-A level. Last year he went 3-6 with a 4.19 ERA in 24 starts for Binghamton. In camp this spring he had impressed team officials, but was slated to begin the season at Triple-A Syracuse. Lockett is out of options and could be claimed off waivers if he doesn’t begin the season on the roster.”

MLB.com: What are Mets' rotation options without Thor? Starting five: Jacob deGrom, Marcus Stroman, Steven Matz, Rick Porcello, Michael Wacha; Next five: David Peterson, Walker Lockett, Erasmo Ramírez, Corey Oswalt, Stephen Gonsalves.

John Harper SNY.TV: Former Mets pitching coach Rick Peterson explains the risk of hurlers like Noah Syndergaard consistently throwing with max effort. 'Tendons can only move so fast, with so much force, before something gives'

Empire Sports Media: The New York Mets were right not to trade Steven Matz.

Ken Davidoff NY Post Talking about when Noah may return: “And really, everything in our world should be in doubt until we get this pandemic under control, an endeavor that doesn’t appear to be going too great at the moment. All we know for certain is that we won’t see Syndergaard and his blazing fastball (and terrific secondary stuff) on the mound for a while. And that the Mets, if we’re fortunate enough to get any sort of 2020 season, can’t afford much more bad news like this.”

Deesha Thosar NY Daily News: Despite Mets’ pitching depth, letting Zack Wheeler go to Phillies still hurts.

Empire Sports Media: Thor’s injury will test the team’s pitching depth.

ESPN.com: Noah Syndergaard joins growing list of injured hard throwers in MLB. “Of the 25 hardest-throwing starting pitchers from 2018, 11 had or have since had TJ surgery. That doesn't include Shohei Ohtani (he didn't throw enough innings to qualify for my list), Lance McCullers Jr. (who just missed the top 25), Yu Darvish (who was not in the top 25), Michael Kopech (called up that year and lasted four starts before blowing out his elbow), Dinelson Lamet and other high-end velocity guys who have had the surgery, as well. It's a long list.”

Joel Sherman of the NY Post had an in-depth look at all the players brought to the majors by former Mets GMs Omar Minaya and Sandy Alderson.  Joel noted that 48 Mets original signs played in the Majors last year, 11^th highest in baseball.

Brian Joura of Mets 360.com: Examining Brodie Van Wagenen’s contributions to the 40-man roster. Brian goes through the entire Mets roster looking at the good and bad moves Brodie has made.  

Mets.com had the Five Best Mets Catchers of All Time. #1 Mike Piazza; #2 Gary Carter; #3 Jerry Grote; #4 Todd Hundley; #5 John Stearns.

213 Miles from Shea: Mets Baseball Card of the Day: Amed Rosario (2015 Topps Heritage Minor Leagues).

Timenews.net: K-Mets planning ahead with cautious optimism. Kingsport Mets general manager Brian Paupeck says the team is doing what it can to prepare for this summer’s season, even if nobody is certain if and when it will start. Games aren’t scheduled to start until mid-June, so there’s hope the season might start on time. The K-Mets went 34-34 last year under Rich Donnelly, narrowly missing the Appy League playoffs. This year, the team will be managed by Chris Newell, a former independent league manager who previously served as a scout for the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays.

Syracuse.com: The 2019 Syracuse Mets: Where are they now?  Lindsay Kramer has lots of details including IF/OF Arismendy Alcantara signing a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels and Rajai Davis signing with the Acereros del Norte of the Mexican League.

Syracuse.com: Will coronavirus effects slow work at Syracuse Mets’ NBT Bank Stadium? “According to Archie Wixson Jr., commissioner of the department of facilities management for Onondaga County…the virus is likely to cause supply chain issues and delays all across the economy, potentially including the construction world.  The important thing to note is that everything that’s required to play a game will absolutely be ready by whenever Syracuse hosts its first game in 2020, Wixson said. Seats will be in, the outfield fence will be restored and the new lights will be installed.”

NY Post: Red Sox reveal minor leaguer tests positive for coronavirus.

Yahoo Sports: Hunter Pence doesn't think short MLB season devalues World Series champs.

Yesterday at Mack’s Mets:

Tom Brennan - HOW DID MY TOP 25 PROSPECTS DO THIS SPRING?

Tony Plate - Mets Still Undecided About Certain Things.

Mack – Mets GOAT: #48 – OF Mike Cameron.

Mack’s Blast From The Past comes from 3-25-14 – Reese Kaplan - What Purpose Does Spring Training Serve?

Today in Mets History Per Ultimatemets.com:

Born on this date:

• Lee Mazzilli (1955)
• Tom Glavine (1966)

Died on this date:

• Arthur Richman (2009)

Transactions:
New York Mets signed free agent Orel Hershiser on March 25, 1999.

New York Mets released Buddy Carlyle on March 25, 2016.

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

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