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

The Mets had a day off yesterday they will resume action today with Noah Syndergaard on the mound against the Marlins in Port St. Lucie.  In the meantime, there was still lots of news to link:

The NY Post broke a story yesterday that “With the Yankees in a search for starting pitching and the Mets in surplus, the two teams have spoken about potentially moving Steven Matz to the Bronx.”

The article continues to note: “Miguel Andujar, given his ability to play multiple positions, would likely be a player of interest for the Mets. The belief is the Yankees aren’t desperate enough for a pitcher to part with Andujar.”

Per SNY.TV: “While Andujar -- who missed the majority of the 2019 season due to a torn labrum -- has immense offensive potential, it's hard to see where he would fit on the Mets. Andujar's natural position is third base, where he was among the worst defenders in the league in 2018. Beyond that, Jeff McNeil is expected to start for the Mets at third base.”

Danny Abriano on SNY.TV noted why the Mets should not trade Steven Matz: “Beyond the Matz-for-Andujar non-fit is the fact that the Mets' current "rotation surplus" could become a rotation deficiency in the blink of an eye -- as is the case for pretty much any team. While Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Marcus Stroman, and Rick Porcello have been very durable, if any of them go down, the Mets will immediately go from six starters to five.”

Kevin Davidoff in the NY Post: “Will a Matz-to-The-Bronx swap actually occur, though? Don’t wager on it, primarily because, as you likely know already, the Mets’ owners remain extremely wary of trading with their intra-city rivals. Secondarily because the Mets can’t match their arms depth with breadth.”

Also: “however, if injury strikes? Young lefty David Peterson hasn’t pitched above Double-A. Stephen Gonsalves, another southpaw, whom the Mets claimed off waivers from the Twins last November, possesses promise without productivity to date. Utilizing Seth Lugo or Robert Gsellman as openers carries appeal only if two of Dellin Betances, Edwin Diaz and Jeurys Familia bounce back from their lost seasons.”

Tim Ryder of Metsmerized noted: “This rotation already appears to have taken a step back this winter. Why on earth would this front office dip into their well-stocked reserves to help fill the needs of another team? When he’s pitching his game, Steven Matz is a weapon. Why negate that advantage?”

Speaking of trades between the Mets and Yankees, 12UP.com: “Mets and Yankees Reportedly Nearly Completed Zack Wheeler Trade Last July But Hit Mysterious Snag.”

From MLB.com: here is the list of Mets-Yankees trades:  The most recent: April 10, 2018: Yankees trade Kendall Coleman to Mets for L.J. Mazzilli.  Of course who could forget - Dec. 9, 1977: Yankees trade Sergio Ferrer to Mets for Roy Staiger.

Mike Puma in the NY Post: Eduardo Nunez’s rehabbed knee giving him Mets chance. Mike noted how Eduardo decided to allow his knee to heal last July after being released by the Red Sox.  “The 32-year-old…could be a possibility to open the season with the club if Jed Lowrie isn’t ready. Nunez is 5-for-15 (.333) in six games. The former Yankee could be competing with Jake Hager and Max Moroff for a potential roster spot.”

SNY.TV Video: Mets' Chili Davis excited for second year as hitting coach.

SNY.TV Video: Mets' Michael Conforto thinks he still has more to prove this season. “Conforto set career highs in home runs (33) and RBIs (92) last season, while compiling a .257/363/.494 slash line. But he still thinks there's plenty for him to improve on as a hitter as he prepares for his sixth season with the Mets.”

Danny Abriano SNY.TV: “4 reasons why the Mets should sign Michael Conforto to a contract extension: “When it came to where he ranked among National League outfielders in 2019, Conforto was No. 9 in both WAR and OPS; The Mets' outfield situation is in flux; There are no outfielders coming any time soon from the pipeline; Tons of money is about to come off the books.”

Per SNY.TV: “Keith Law of The Athletic who ranked all 30 MLB farm systems, ranked the Mets No. 16 overall, noting that despite the trades of so many of their top prospects, the Mets' recent drafts and international signings (with many of those signings producing right away after coming stateside) have kept them afloat.”

SNY.TV Video: Mets' Pete Alonso prepared for 'unfinished business' in 2020.

Rising Apple had the three biggest concerns for the Mets in 2020: The Bullpen, Outfield Health and Robinson Cano’s Contract.

Tim Boyle of Rising Apple noted that the Mets Opening Day lineup will only have one change this year – No Juan Lagares. 

Chris Flanders of Mets 360.com looked deeper into the PECOTA simulations for the NL East and noted: “The NL East looks like a very tight race based on PECOTA simulations. Every win will matter, especially within the Division. Perhaps that not a surprise to anyone, but worth noting that a 6-8 week soft spot could spell disaster for any of the three top teams.”

          

213 Miles from Shea did a 2020 Mets Conglomerate Projections: Matt Adams – 221 Plate Appearances, 176.33 At Bats, 11.75 HR, .232 BA./ .290 OBP/ .464 SLG. 

213 Miles from Shea had Get to Know a Non-Roster Invitee: Johneshwy Fargas. “He’s coming off of a solid year in AA ball, his last year where he was going to be the average age of the league, hitting .249/.325/.334, which is right around his career minor league line of .255/.331/.342.”

Mets.com: Pipeline Q&A: Mets prospect Brett Baty. His goals for 2020: “Definitely the defensive ability, just getting better at third, getting more agile moving around. Also, my timing at the plate and being able to shorten up with two strikes and not have as many strikeouts.”

Reflections on Baseball talked about MLB’s decline in attendance noting how expensive it is to bring a family to a game these days.   

Also from Reflections on Baseball: “MLB teams struggle to keep their players on the field. Perhaps it’s time to re-consider the controlled use of steroids to avoid and quickly heal injuries.”

Metsmerized.com: MMO Top 30 Mets Prospects: No. 11 Kevin Smith, LHP.

Empire Sports Media: Dominic Smith has learned to cope with unpredictability.

Empire Sports Media: Wilson Ramos used critics from fans as motivation.

Other MLB News:

MLB.com: Félix Hernández leads Braves' rotation race.

MLB.Com: Trevor Bauer tells batters what's coming in Spring Training game.

The Philadelphia Inquirer: Bryce Harper won’t bat leadoff, says Phillies manager Joe Girardi

Talking Chop: Braves’ bullpen implodes, gift wraps victory 6-4 for Phillies

12UP.com: Brian Snitker Reveals Braves SP Cole Hamels is Expected to Miss All of April Due to Shoulder Injury

Federal Baseball: Washington Nationals’ Carter Kieboom still a work in progress on both sides

12UP.com: Yankees Reportedly Scouted Henderson Alvarez Amid Pitching Woes

12UP.com: Jose Bautista is Working Out as a Pitcher for Dominican Olympic Team and His Heater Touches 94

Here’s all the Spring Training scores from 3-2-2020.

Wall Street Journal: Canceled Games and Empty Stadiums: Will the Coronavirus Spread to Sports?

The Hiroshima Carp said Monday they will terminate the contract of Xavier Batista, a Dominican player who is nearing the end of a six-month doping suspension.

Mack’s Blast From The Past comes from 3-3-13 – Mack looked Projected Rotations for the Mets minor leagues with Zack Wheeler and Jenrry Mejia at AAA, Rafael Montero at AA, and Noah Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom at A ball in St. Lucie.  

Today in Mets History Per Ultimatemets.com:

Born on this date:

• Jorge Julio (1979)
• Dilson Herrera (1994)

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