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2/6/21

John From Albany - Mets News and Breakfast Links 2/6/2021

 



Good Morning.  Trevor Bauer goes to LA, the Mets win J.D. Davis arbitration case and we had Semifinal games in the Caribbean Series.

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

Mets Links: 

As we had yesterday on Mack's Mets: Trevor Bauer to Dodgers.  


Deesha Thosar NY Daily News: Sources told the Daily News the Mets made Bauer an offer for over $100 million across three years with an opt out after 2021, which would have put them well over the $210 million luxury tax threshold. Bauer’s three-year deal with the Dodgers is for $102 million guaranteed, with $40 million in 2021 and $45 million in 2022, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. He can opt out after each year.

Joel Sherman NY Post: Mets losing Trevor Bauer shows just how wide gap with Dodgers is. "This offseason, they didn’t offer as much as a New York team and still landed the 2020 NL Cy Young award winner." 

John Harper SNY.TV: Scouts and execs weigh in on what Trevor Bauer's decision means for Mets in NL landscape. "Mets have had a good offseason, but adding Bauer would have made it great. That’s why, to me, George Springer mattered even more, because if the Mets weren’t going to have the best starting rotation, there were other ways to win, and getting an All-Star center fielder with a proven ability to hit elite pitching in the postseason was at the top of the list."










Metstradamus: "do I want to pay $40 million dollars to see if he’ll find a higher level of maturity playing in New York City?"






213 Miles from Shea: Reviewing Baseball America’s 2020 Top 30 Mets Prospects: #30 Scott Ota.

213 Miles from Shea: Reviewing Baseball America’s 2020 Top 30 Prospects: #29 Quinn Brodey. 

SportSpyder Mets Links: 

MLB and SportSpyder NL East and MLB Links:

MLB.com:

MLB Trade Rumors:

Yahoo Sports:

ESPN:

FOX Sports:

CBS Sports:

SportsSpyder:

Winter Baseball:

Caribbean Series Semifinals:

Dominican Republic 4 Panama 3 (Box Score). Juan Lagares, 2 for 4, run scored; Robinson Cano 1 for 4, run scored; for Panama, David Rodriguez, 1 for 3 with a double, a walk, 2 Ks.


Puerto Rico 2 Mexico 1 (Box Score). Johneshwy Fargas 0 for 2, with 2 Ks. Juan Centeno 1 for 2 with a K; For Mexico, Sebastian Elizalde 0 for 4; Fernando Salas 1.2 innings, 1 hit, 3 Ks.  

In the finals today it will be the Dominican Republic Vs. Puerto Rico.

In Australia today, Melbourne Aces 11 Sydney Blue Sox 5 (Box Score). Carlos Cortes RF, 2 for 4 with a double, HR, run scored, 3 RBIs, 1 walk - .404 average; Manny Rodriquez SS 1 for 4, 1 K - .256 average.


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: 

Died on this date:

Transactions:
New York Mets traded A. J. Burnett, Jesus Sanchez and Robert Stratton to the Florida Marlins for Al Leiter and Ralph Milliard on February 6, 1998.

New York Mets signed free agent Nelson Figueroa on February 6, 2008.

New York Mets signed free agent Dale Thayer of the Tampa Bay Rays on February 6, 2011.

Baseball Reference.com:

2014: Hall of Fame slugger Ralph Kiner dies at age 91; in addition to his on-field exploits, Kiner was a New York Mets broadcaster from the team's inaugural season in 1962, although he had slowed his pace considerably following health issues in recent years.

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



Want something else tracked here each day?  Please leave a comment below.

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23 comments:

  1. AnonymousFebruary 6, 2021 at 6:23 AM

    Sign Marwin Gonzales and Jake Marisnick.

    Get another quality arm in pen. We dumped Wilson . . . were looking at Hand . . . ended up with Loup. Need to inject another late-inning arm.

    Find a starting pitcher. And sign a vet to a minor league deal.

    Leave Davis alone at 3B and let's see what develops (Gonzalez & Guillorme can fill in as needed).

    If Bradley Jr. wants to come down to earth, I'd be interested. But he's ask far, far more than he's worth.

    The building process should not be a desperate, one offseason thing. Lindor was a great, lasting piece of a more permanent puzzle.

    Jimmy

    ReplyDelete
  2. Tom BrennanFebruary 6, 2021 at 6:36 AM

    Bauer would have been great. I wonder if the Mets knew they'd not get Bauer if they'd have overpaid to get Springer.

    But Jimmy's fixes look solid. What about Tajuan Walker? Also, is there a back up catcher better than Nido?

    Also, I know it was just one pitch from Matt Harvey, but it is hard to visualize that a guy who throw a pitch that hard is washed up.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousFebruary 6, 2021 at 8:41 AM

    Matt is good without batters standing there. Pass.

    Sandy got played on Bauer -- the guy he wanted all along, the piece he was determined to get.

    I think Mets can field a solid team to start the season and still have flexibility, if it is warranted, to add a quality piece in July.

    I'd be content with that.

    I had dreamed of a great bullpen and I'm sorry that won't come to pass.

    Cabrera is an interesting piece (though can't play OF like Gonzales).

    Nido is fine; there are no "good" backup catchers in MLB. Enjoy the good defense, low salary, and positive relationships with pitchers.

    Jimmy

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownFebruary 6, 2021 at 8:54 AM

    Can't believe Arrieta is part of the discussion. A guy who was good six years ago. This year's Wacha? Pass please.


    Bob W

    ReplyDelete
  5. Remember1969February 6, 2021 at 9:02 AM

    Just something to think about . .how is Bradley a big overpay at 4 years for $40M when they just offered Bauer 3 years for $105M.

    Bradley arguably fixes the team more than Bauer would have. He improves ALL
    the pitchers just by his ability to play centerfield. He improves Nimmo by moving him to his natural habitat in left field, which improves the defense again for ALL the pitchers.

    I am not afraid of signing Bradley for 4 years. Who know whether they will be able to sign Conforto and Nimmo. I want to see a better defense out there.

    True, they'll have to figure out how to get at bats for Smith, but mix and match with Alonso and Nimmo, depending on pitching matchups, considering who is throwing for both the Mets and the opposing team.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Tom BrennanFebruary 6, 2021 at 9:21 AM

    No strong relievers left to scoop up?

    What about Justin Wilson? Anyone else?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Bob W.February 6, 2021 at 9:54 AM

    If the Mets were willing to pay James McCann $40 million for four years, they should be able to do the same for Bradley Jr.

    Keone Kela is a possible good sign for the pen. Would consider Taijuan Walker as a SP over Arrieta or Rich Hill. At least some possibility of upside.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Remember1969February 6, 2021 at 10:00 AM

    Bob W: good addition to the Bradley argument. Even if they added a couple million a year, they would still be way under the CBT, enough for Kela and Walker.

    I definitely agree - Walker << Arrieta or Hill.

    ReplyDelete
  9. TexasGusCCFebruary 6, 2021 at 10:12 AM

    What makes people think Bradley only wants $10MM per year? I heard she wanted big numbers so I am thinking at least $15MM per year, maybe more.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Remember1969February 6, 2021 at 10:28 AM

    Yea, Gus, I think a bit more than 4/40 will be required . . 3/42 seems reasonable to me at this point. Or just do a Michael Brantley type 2 year $32M. Brantley hits a little better, Bradley fields better.

    There are no big ticket items left on the board and they saved all their draft picks, so a little more for very good defense and the promise that 2020 was his new normal, so go for it . still have room under the tax cap for pitching.

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousFebruary 6, 2021 at 11:30 AM

    Arrieta is awful. Terrible that he's even considered.

    WTF, Sandy?

    We pass on Springer than offer Bauer $80 for 2 years?

    Sandy got played, badly.

    Bradley can't hit. He can't hit. If team is intent on building a winner, locking up a bad player who is over 30 for four years is not the way to go.

    Who are we competing against for him? The Astros, maybe?

    Sandy hasn't done much except spend some easy money. May got a lot, but good, need to begin to address bullpen. McCann got an awful lot -- but, okay, good. He's never been a starter and we went 4/$40. Who were we bidding against.

    The Lindor trade was good -- but we gave up a lot and now MUST met him with a crazy contract. Overall, sure, good. But not a hard deal to make.

    Now we're in the dregs.

    Why'd we pass on Springer again?

    And why flip Matz if we weren't going to a clear upgrade?

    Is there a plan?

    Now I hear the rumors for Chris Bryant and I hate them. Another big contract guy who we'd have to trade for. We already have a 3B who is young, has shown clear potential, earns nothing (so we can spend elsewhere), is a student of technology and hitting, and seems to get along well with our core youth. Invest in JD Davis, think beyond the short-term. Mets can sign a Cabrera or Marwin Gonzeles to go along with Guillorme to round out the infield. I prefer Marwin because he can play outfield, too.

    Teflon Sandy is routinely given public fellacio by many fans and bloggers, but he's only borderline competent, no more. Short of looking the other way while his team gulped steroids, I don't see what great things he's ever done.

    Sorry, ranting a bit. "Interested in Arrieta" kind of got to me.

    Jimmy

    ReplyDelete
  12. David RubinFebruary 6, 2021 at 11:59 AM

    Gents- Bradley & agent Scott Boras want 4 years at above $15 mil per. He’s a great fielder but a left-handed hitter who is inconsistent at the plate. When he was rumored to be looking for 1-2 years on a deal at around $12 per it seemed very doable. At 4/$60+ it’s not a good deal.

    ReplyDelete
  13. TexasGusCCFebruary 6, 2021 at 12:24 PM

    Wow Jimmy, have some coffee and a bagel. Short term deals play, long term no thank you. Springer wanted 5 years or more, so he got six. If Sandy signed him for six years you’d bitch about a centerfielder at 36 making his money.

    Lindor was a steal, and don’t forget Carrasco. Two lottery tickets, a former top prospect who has struggled recognizing sliders away, and a young shortstop that dreams of being Omar Vizquel! Omar Vizquel is what you want your prospects to dream of becoming? Talk about setting the bar low! You realize that two days ago Ron Darling said that “Mets fans are about to find out how ELITE Carlos Carrasco is”? Elite is a nice word when you are talking “throw-ins”.

    I would have liked Springer too, but he became a “no thank you” for the Mets. He got his money, and good for him, but there’s other fish in the sea. And if you really want to spit up the coffee and the bagel, I heard Hinch on a pregame show talk about how he had to approach Springer delicately when explaining why they were moving him out of center field for defense... delicately... You think the 50 beat writers that cover the Mets would approach him “delicately”?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Tom BrennanFebruary 6, 2021 at 12:24 PM

    David, 4 years $60MM for Bradley? I'd rather get Marisnick and some strong pitching (starter, pen). Stay under the cap, leave room for mid-year, and go nuts next off-season if the opportunity presents itself then.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Remember1969February 6, 2021 at 2:32 PM

    I don't think the market is there for Bradley to rake in $15M for 4 years. I don't know where the Giants are sitting at this point, but I don't see anybody else being in it. Phillies? Astros?

    One other thing I read someplace along the way was what sounded like the Mets offered him nearly the money he was looking for but he didn't bite because they explicitly said they couldn't guarantee him the starting job in centerfield without having the DH. I don't know how much there is to that, but he may decide that is better than unemployment and the Mets may decide another year is worth it at this point.

    ReplyDelete
  16. bill metsiacFebruary 6, 2021 at 2:51 PM

    Why doesn't anyone see the elephant in the room? As things stand now, we're stuck with Cano's $$$ next year.

    And FOUR front - line FAs-to-be in Lindor, 4to, Thor and Stro.

    Every dollar spent now, unless it's for just this year, means losing 1 or more of them.

    Who do you want gone? I want to keep ALL of them.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Remember1969February 6, 2021 at 3:07 PM

    I am trying to figure out who his 'most like' player is to compare salaries.

    Kiermaier? They are 'most like' in age - Bradley is actually just 3 days older. And Bradley is a better hitter overall. Kiermaier seems be be in decline, while Bradley had his best year ever in 2020. Kiermaier's contract is for $11M this year, $12M in 2022, and a club option for $13M in 2023. I guess as a free agent now, Bradley at 3 years for $42 does not seem too out of line.

    Brantley? As stated earlier, Brantley just signed his second 2 year $32M contract in a row - totalling $64M over 4 years with Houston. Brantley is a better hitter, but Bradley is a far superior fielder. Call it a draw with Bradley being what the Mets need now. For a shorter contract, I could see a 2/$32M in play. And Bradley is three years younger.

    Dexter Fowler? He is at the end of a 5 year deal which paid him $16.5M per year. His fielding stats are awful and while he had a couple pretty good years with the bat, it is not a ton better.

    Possibly Aaron Hicks who signed a 6 year $60M+ deal that still runs for 5 more years with a $12.5M team option after that. Hicks is about 6 months older than Bradley. Certainly no thanks to a 6 year deal.

    Anybody else to compare to? I kind of like the Mike Cameron comparison of old.

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  18. Remember1969February 6, 2021 at 4:49 PM

    Different topic .. who is the Met (player, I assume) that Ralph Kiner is interviewing in the top right picture in the clip above?

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  19. John From AlbanyFebruary 6, 2021 at 5:27 PM

    1969 - that would be the guy traded for Keith Hernandez - Neil Allen.

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  20. Tom BrennanFebruary 6, 2021 at 5:30 PM

    Bill, they are going over the cap in 2022, assuming the cap is something like $215 for 2022. So they sure will need the at least 2, and preferably 4, of likes of Allan, Baty, Ginn, Mauricio and Armstrong to be 100% ready for meaningful roles in 2024, if not 2023) to start bending the team salary back below the cap in 2024.

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  21. Bill MetsiacFebruary 6, 2021 at 6:35 PM

    All true, Tom, but you evaded my question. Which of the 4 to keep, and which to let walk (or trade) because of the budget?

    ReplyDelete
  22. Remember1969February 6, 2021 at 7:47 PM

    Thanks John .. I certainly remember Allen well as a member of the Mets and the guy in that trade, but I had forgotten what he looked like ..

    Good with names, but not faces :-)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Tom BrennanFebruary 7, 2021 at 6:55 AM

    Bill, why not keep all 4? Big lux tax hit, but a cost of doing business. It is the organization's fault.

    They had 2 useful rookies in Peterson and Gimenez last year - you need more than 2 a year to stay out of lux tax hell, especially when you're in a very tough division. In 2018 and 2019, who were strong rookies? McNeil and Alonso. Maybe throw Guillorme in there. Not nearly enough quantity of useful players coming up. Especially pitchers. I wonder if they'll have ANY useful rookies in 2021. That needs to change. Or live in Lux Tax Land forever.

    ReplyDelete