John From Albany – Mets News and Breakfast Links 11/4/2020

 

Good Morning. Happy Birthday Ryan Thompson and Carlos Baerga. Chris Flexen is on the mound in the Korean Playoffs this morning and Baseball America looks at Francisco Alvarez.

Section Links: Mets Links, MLB Links, Asian Baseball, Winter Baseball, and This Day in Mets History.

Mets Links:

Baseball America: Francisco Alvarez Has The Right Hitting Approach. "He goes in there to hit. He’s not going in there to walk. He’s going in there with a very good, aggressive approach, but has the ability to make early recognition and if he doesn’t get his pitch will accept the walk.” Mets assistant general manager Allard Baird said.

Andy Martino SNY.TV: How long will potential Mets free agent target George Springer play center field?  “His 1 out above average ranked 16th of 39 center fielders in 2020 (Brandon Nimmo was tied with the Yankees’ Aaron Hicks for last, at -4 OAA)…Talking to evaluators who have watched George Springer closely through the years, a picture emerges of a defender who can remain workable in center field for several more seasons with the help of data-driven positioning, but would be an “elite” right fielder.

Danny Abriano SNY.TV: Pros and Cons of Mets signing free agent George Springer. Springer isn't a perfect fit, but it's close. Cons – Years and Dollars, Age 31, How long can he stay in CF.  Pros – Above Average CF, Offensive Dynamo, Clubhouse Leader. [Not mentioned – still records promos for his former NY Penn League team here in Albany.]

Prime Time Sports Talk: MLB Free Agent Profile: George Springer. “At age 31, his defense is still very good but not as good as it once was. Springer played fairly well in a shortened 2020 season. In 189 at-bats he hit 14 home runs and drove and 32 runs while maintaining a .265 batting average.”

Danny Abriano SNY.TV: Pros and Cons of Mets signing free agent Trevor Bauer. The Mets need to fix a starting rotation that did them in this past season. Cons – “it's still scary to look at the seven years of Bauer's career, with two being dominant and five where his ERA was above 4.00; Turns 30 in January; Strong Social Media presence; Pros - Potential dominance; Free agent Market could stay sane; Killer Instinct.

NY Post: James McCann could solve Mets’ catcher horrors in MLB free agency.  “Because McCann would come at a significantly lower cost than Realmuto, it would potentially allow the Mets to address more holes on their roster — and there are more than a few.”

Ken Davidoff NY Post: Three issues that will dictate Mets, Yankees decisions in free agency. Change; Social Media; The Economy.

Brian Joura Mets360: New free agent Charlie Morton becomes a Mets target. “the pitcher he was the last nine starts of 2020 [playoffs included] is just fine, thank you. In that span, Morton had a 3.48 ERA with 11 BB and 48 Ks in 41.1 IP. And that’s with facing the Yankees twice, the Astros twice and the Dodgers.”

Metsmerized Online: MMO Free Agent Profile: Charlie Morton, RHP.  “Age: 36 (Nov. 12, 1983); Traditional Stats: 9 G, 9 GS, 38.0 IP, 4.74 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 4 HR, 9.9 K/9, 2.4 BB/9.”

Amazing Avenue: Seth Lugo is a sleeper extension candidate for the Mets. He’s been the Mets’ most consistent pitcher not named deGrom over the past few years, and the Mets should lock him up.

The New York Extra: The Role The Mets Decide For Seth Lugo Will Have A Big Impact on Their Off-Season Plans.

Faith and Fear in Flushing has their 1999 Met for All Seasons: John Olerud.

NY Post: Steve Cohen’s wife Alex bringing hilarious Mets love to Twitter.

Mets Junkies: J.D. DAVIS VS. KRIS BRYANT: WHERE THEY MATCH UP.  While Kris Bryant has had the better career…”In 2020, J.D. Davis had an -0.2 WAR, 6 home runs, and 19 RBI’s with a .247 batting average…Bryant had a 0.3 WAR, 4 home runs, 11 batted in, and a .206 batting average.”

Mets Junkies: FREE AGENT TARGET: ALEX COLOME.  “In eight seasons, Colome appeared in 326 games and owns a 28-23 record while posting a 2.95 ERA. In the 424 innings that he’s pitched, Colome has struck out a solid 385 batters while keeping runners off base with a 1.17 WHIP.”

amNY: Where does SNY stand amid Steve Cohen’s Mets takeover? “Speaking with a source close to the Cohen camp, they could not confirm that the hedge-fund billionaire would immediately jump into those negotiations for the network upon the deal’s closing, adding that he has other priorities within the organization to address rather than the television station.”

Rising Apple: Mets Rumors: Is the front office contacting Yadier Molina?

Rising Apple: Three potential Dominic Smith trade destinations. Rockies (Arenado); Indians (Lindor – and pitching); Astros (young pitching).

Rising Apple: Five free agents to return the pitching staff to prominence. White Sox RHP Alex Colomé; Giants 29-year-old SP Kevin Gausman; A’s RHP Liam Hendriks; Re-sign RHP Erasmo Ramírez; Marcus Stroman.

The Sports Daily Mike Phillips’ Mets Player Review Series: Robert Gsellman. 2020 Stats: 6 Appearances, 4 Starts, 14.0 Innings Pitched, 0-0 Won-Loss Record, 9.64 ERA.

ICYMI Yesterday at Mack’s Mets:

Tom Brennan – Real Teams Understand what it takes to consistently make the playoffs.

Mack - Scouting Report - OF - Robby Martin.

Mack - Scouting Report - OF - Sal Frelick.

 

MLB Links:

MLB.com: Here are the Gold Glove Award winners.

Your 2020 AL & NL Gold Glove winners 🏆🧤 pic.twitter.com/KUFuUOBeJq

— ESPN (@espn) November 4, 2020

Nolan Arenado has won his 8th consecutive Gold Glove Award, matching Scott Rolen for 3rd-most among 3B all-time.

His streak of 8 straight Gold Gloves is the 2nd-longest streak to begin a career in MLB history trailing only Ichiro Suzuki (10 straight).

h/t @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/N1cliRh2xg

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 4, 2020

MLB Trade Rumors: 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions.  Trevor Bauer to Dodgers, J.T. Realmuto to Mets, Marcus Stroman to Angels, George Springer to White Sox.

MLB Trade Rumors: Offseason Outlook: Atlanta Braves.

Bob Nightengale USA Today: Once a pariah, ex-Astros manager A.J. Hinch has returned to baseball with Alex Cora perhaps on the way.

There’s something beautiful of an empty Ebbets Field pic.twitter.com/q9yPk5HYQY

— BaseballHistoryNut (@nut_history) November 3, 2020

Winter Baseball:

In the Mexican Pacific League Last Night -

Aguilas de Mexicali 4 Caneros de los Mochis 0 (Box Score). Mets Minor League Catcher Juan Uriarte 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

Here is the full Mexican Pacific League Scoreboard.

 

Asian Baseball:

In the Korean Baseball Playoffs today Chris Flexen threw 6 shutout innings with 4 hits, 11Ks, 1 walk as the Doosan Bears beat the LG Twins 4-0 (Box Score).

American right-hander overpowering in KBO postseason debut https://t.co/XY3DkZPIDX

— Yonhap News Agency (@YonhapNews) November 4, 2020

Here is KBO’s Scoreboard.

 

Today in Mets History Per Ultimatemets.com:

Born on this date:

• Dick Selma (1943)
• Ryan Thompson (1967)
• Carlos Baerga (1968)
• Carlos Mendoza (1974)

Transactions:

New York Mets traded Roger Craig to the St. Louis Cardinals for George Altman and Bill Wakefield on November 4, 1963.

New York Mets released Jack Aker on November 4, 1974.

Garry Templeton granted free agency on November 4, 1991.

San Diego Padres signed Chris Jones of the New York Mets as a free agent on November 4, 1996.

Kansas City Royals claimed Joaquin Arias of the New York Mets on waivers on November 4, 2010.

Jeremy Hefner granted free agency on November 4, 2014.

National Pastime.com:

1963	The Cardinals trade outfielder George Altman and pitcher Bill Wakefield to the Mets for veteran right-hander Roger Craig. Next season, the hard-luck hurler, who has lost 20 games the last two years, will win Game 4 of the Fall Classic, beating the Yankees, for the World Champion Redbirds.
2004	The Mets introduced Willie Randolph as the franchise's 18th manager. The long-time Yankee second baseman and third base coach becomes the first black to manage in New York.

 

2013	The Mets and Clear Channel Media and Entertainment announce the launch of a five-year multimedia marketing partnership. WOR (710 AM) will become the team's flagship radio station, replacing WFAN (660 AM), which will now be broadcasting Yankee games after carrying the Amazins' for the past 26 years.

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