John From Albany – Mets News and Breakfast Links 1/13/2021

Good Morning. Happy Birthday Kevin Mitchell.  Carlos Carrasco talks to the press, James McCann a top 10 MLB catcher, and a very good Jeff McNeil projection.

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

Mets Links:

As we had yesterday at Mack’s Mets – Carlos Carrasco met with the Press. 

NY Post: Carlos Carrasco says ‘great’ Mets can make it to World Series.

Carlos Carrasco on the Mets' rotation:

"The rotation is really, really good. With deGrom, Stroman, Syndergaard, I'm really looking forward to joining that rotation. I can't wait to start spring training" pic.twitter.com/Xu2A4IyNuV

— SNY (@SNYtv) January 12, 2021

"It's really nice to have him as the shortstop every time when I pitch"@Cookie_Carrasco sits down with @DougWilliamsSNY for BNNY presented by Tri-State @Cadillac to talk about coming to the Mets with Francisco Lindor, pitching & more: https://t.co/eCARKleQXG pic.twitter.com/goEKAdsvo8

— SNY (@SNYtv) January 13, 2021

NY Post: Citi Field to host 24/7 COVID-19 vaccination center.

Steve Cohen conferenced into Bill de Blasio's press briefing today to help announce Citi Field as a COVID-19 vaccination site.

“It’s so important," Cohen said. "We know the suffering that’s going on with COVID, and any way the organization could help ... we were going to do it." pic.twitter.com/WJQzEPiINX

— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) January 12, 2021

Bill de Blasio also praised Steve Cohen today for the Mets' acquisition of Francisco Lindor.

Cohen: “Oh yeah, this is a difference-maker, and Carrasco is going to be also a real contributor. We’re so excited. ... Hopefully this is just the beginning of more good things to come.”

— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) January 12, 2021

SNY.TV: MLB Network ranks Mets’ James McCann as Top 10 catcher in baseball.

SNY.TV: Mets' Sandy Alderson explains decision to sign James McCann allowed Mets to deal for Francisco Lindor. 'By signing James McCann we got a very good player and we maintained some flexibility'.

Sandy Alderson on George Springer:

"Given the level of excitement, enthusiasm surrounding the Mets, I don't think we've been crossed off his list. ... I would say that we're still engaged, in a loose sense, with Springer."

More on Jon's podcast below 👇 https://t.co/3wcwQCUO1w

— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) January 12, 2021

Joel Sherman NY Post: Mets can flex muscles in different way if they want Corey Kluber. “Corey Kluber has a workout scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Cressey Sports Performance in Palm Beach Garden, Fla. About 20 teams, including the Mets, are expected to have a representative in attendance” Joel recommends “What if the Mets offered $5 million with a chance to make $13 million if Kluber returned fully to being Kluber.”

SNY.TV: Former MLB reliever Carter Capps to join Mets as minor league pitching coach/coordinator.

The Score: Report: Mets want to sign Hand for 1 year, but he seeks 2-year pact.

On BNNY presented by Tri-State @Cadillac, @MartinoNYC gives us an update on the Mets' pursuit of Brad Hand & DJ LeMahieu: pic.twitter.com/tV2KkGX0ZX

— SNY (@SNYtv) January 13, 2021

MLB.com: LeMahieu, Mets: mutual interest but 'tricky fit'.

MLB.com: Here is each team's top int'l prospect. For the Mets - Ronny Mauricio, “SS (No. 1/MLB No. 57); Mauricio has continued to add strength to his ultra-athletic, 6-foot-3, 166-pound frame since signing with the Mets for $2.1 million in July 2017. Scouts believe that physical development will eventually translate to consistent game power for the 19-year-old shortstop -- a switch-hitter who produced a .268/.307/.357 line with 29 extra-base hits over 116 games with Class A Columbia during his 2019 full-season debut.”

Brian Joura Mets360: Mets 2021 projections: Jeff McNeil. 593 PA, .322/.384/.569, 23 HR, 95 RBIs. 

Last Word On Baseball: New York Mets Offseason Brings Organizational Depth. Matthew Rothman talks about the additions of Jacob Barnes, Trevor Hildenberger, Stephen Tarpley, Robel Garcia and Brandon Drury.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK 🗽#GodIsGood #CantWait #Mets@mets @sportsmeter pic.twitter.com/2KwxuvQ1oi

— Francisco Lindor (@Lindor12BC) January 13, 2021

On @GEICO SportsNite: "I don't think Mets fans need to worry about this anymore"@sal_licata says not to sweat an extension for Francisco Lindor: https://t.co/1jj1moSkQD pic.twitter.com/4nPBben9Dv

— SNY (@SNYtv) January 12, 2021

If you look ahead to 2022, it’s easy to see why the Mets might prefer 1-year deals this offseason so they can maintain flexibility in relation to the tax, especially with the possibility of being a repeat offender if they go over this offseason

More: https://t.co/jxmNa0ET7A https://t.co/FBp3Bw26Ty pic.twitter.com/uBsox5sUCg

— Mets Fix (@MetsFix) January 12, 2021

Former @Mets GM Joe McIlvaine talks about Kevin McReynolds. You can catch the full interview at: https://t.co/831hHTnzCG. The @MetsRewind Podcast is also available on iTunes and Spotify. #LGM #MetsRewind #Mets pic.twitter.com/1p5qBvpVwF

— Mets Rewind (@metsrewind) January 12, 2021

Gus Bradley and Harvard today might be in the news but what about the rest of⚾️after the Mets once again dominate the headlines with last week's big trade. The honorable MC @ernestdove gives us an idea of what we can expect from the rest of⚾️and more. pic.twitter.com/ioq4p4AYN4

— Thomas Brice (@ThomasBrice2017) January 12, 2021

ICYMI yesterday at Mack’s Mets:

Tom Brennan – What Should Mets do in Center Field?

Mack’s Scouting Report - LHP - Ricky Tiedermann.

Mack’s Scouting Report - RHP - Brayden Jones.

Mack’s Scouting Report - C - Joey Spence.

For the full list of Mack’s Draft reports click here.

MLB Links:

Andy Martino SNY.TV: Behind-the-scenes 'game of chicken' has MLB barreling toward spring training despite pandemic. Says one exec: 'Looks like we’re actually about to drive off the cliff together' “Spring training and the regular season are truly on track to proceed as planned, in part because no one is optimistic that owners and players can negotiate an alternative.”

Yahoo.com: Report: MLB won't mandate vaccination or COVID-19 test for fans attending games in 2021.

MLB.com: These teams will win the next 10 World Series. In 2026: Mets over Yankees.

MLB.com: 5 teams with most to gain from big move. Angels, Blue Jays, Cardinals, Nationals, Twins.

MLB Trade Rumors: Does Trevor Bauer Have A Case For Gerrit Cole’s AAV?

MLB Trade Rumors: Red Sox Discussing Andrew Benintendi In Trade Talks.

MLB Trade Rumors: Tigers, Michael Fulmer Avoid Arbitration.

MLB.com: Price throws, posts update: 'Never felt better'.

USA Today: Washington Nationals announce plans for sportsbook, wagering inside ballpark.

Winter Baseball:

No games played yesterday in Puerto Rico and Venezuela yesterday.  The playoffs get underway today in Venezuela.

In the Dominican Republic:

Gigantes del Cibao 6 Aguilas Cibaenas 2 (Box Score). Robel Garcia 2B 1 for 4, 2 Ks; Juan Lagares CF 2 for 4 with a double, run scored, and an RBI. Former Met Dario Alvarez 1.1 innings pitched, no runs, no hits, no walks, 2 Ks.

In the Mexican Pacific League the Semifinals got under way. 

One of possible interest to Mets Fans: Tomateros de Culiacan 10 Yaquis de Obregon 7 (Box Score). Sebastian Elizalde who the Mets signed as a Minor League free agent last year and who had 11 HRs and 45 RBIS in 46 regular season games this winter continued to hit well going 2 for 4 with a HR, 2 RBIs, 2 runs scored, and a K.  Also Ex-Met Carlos Torres 2/3^rd inning, no runs, no hits. 

In Australia, still no more games currently scheduled for the Sydney Blue Sox due to COVID -19 Travel restrictions in that country.  The team features 4 minor league Mets, Carlos Cortes, Manny Rodriquez, Andrew Mitchell, and Adam Oller.  The regular was set to end next week.

For the complete Winter League Stats for the current Mets, Mets minor leaguers, and Ex-Mets, click here.

Today in Mets History Per Ultimatemets.com:

Born on this date:

• Kevin Mitchell (1962)
• Elmer Dessens (1971)
• Mitchell Senger (1998)

Transactions:

New York Mets selected Francisco Estrada in fifth round of free agent draft on January 13, 1971.

New York Mets selected Herm Winningham in first round (ninth pick overall) of free agent draft on January 13, 1981.

New York Mets selected Randy Milligan in first round (third pick overall) of free agent draft on January 13, 1981.

New York Mets traded Mike Davis to the Boston Red Sox for Mike Torrez on January 13, 1983.

Los Angeles Dodgers signed Lee Guetterman of the New York Mets as a free agent on January 13, 1993.

New York Mets signed free agent Rob MacDonald on January 13, 1996.

New York Mets signed free agent Masato Yoshii on January 13, 1998.

New York Mets signed free agent Ronny Cedeno of the Pittsburgh Pirates on January 13, 2012.

New York Mets signed free agent Dario Alvarez on January 13, 2013.

Centerfield Maz: Kevin Mitchell: 1986 World Champion Mets Utility Player (1984-1986).

Centerfield Maz: Former N.L. Cy Young Winner & Early Eighties Mets Pitcher: Randy Jones (1981-1982).

National Pastime.com:

2010

Ryan Church and the Pirates come to terms on a $1.5 million, one-year deal. The 31 year-old left-handed hitting outfielder, who batted .273 with the Mets and Braves in an injury-plagued season last year, is expected to be the Bucs' fourth outfielder, backing up Brandon Moss, Andrew McCutchen, and Lastings Milledge.

 

Breakfast Links One year ago today - 1/13/2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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