The Morning Report 1.27.2016 | New York is Cespedes' Home, Clippard's Demands Too High Considering Roster Crunch, Nationals Sign Bronson Arroyo

Matthew Fitzgerald | Bleacher Report- All-Star outfielder Yoenis Cespedes was a highly coveted free agent this offseason yet chose to remain with the New York Mets instead of changing clubs for a fifth time within three years." I loved my experience with the Mets last season. In a short period of time, my teammates and the fans made New York feel like home, and I truly felt embraced by the entire organization. As I entered free agency, I couldn't deny the pull to come back and finish what we had started last year. I am excited to finally announce that next season I am coming back to join the New York Mets once again." stated Cespedes in a Twitter post via the New York Mets handle.

(Chris Soto: The Mets have very quickly gone from a rebuilding losing team, reeling in debt from the Madoff Ponzi Scheme, unable to sign any free agents of substance [besides Curtis Granderson], and in the division basement.....to a team that players WANT to play for. We have seen it 4 times in the past few months. First, the heartbreaking moment in July when Wilmer Flores thought he was traded, then Zack Wheeler calling Sandy Alderson and pleading the organization NOT to trade him. Then this off-season when Bartolo Colon turned down better multi year offers to stay for the "organization and the fans" and now Cespedes having something he hasn't felt like he has had in his 5 MLB seasons.....a home. The Mets are now a team that players WANT to play for.)



Kenneth Teape | Empire Writes Back- By the time the World Series rolled around, manager Terry Collins had very little trust in anyone outside closer Jeurys Familia and Addison Reed. That problem does not look like it will be a problem this time around, as the Mets retained left-handed pitcher Jerry Blevins and also brought aboard left-handed pitcher Antonio Bastardo, signing him away from the Pirates with a two-year, $12 million deal. Despite the additions they have made, the Mets still had interest in bringing back Tyler Clippard.  But, it does not seem like that is a possibility anymore.

(Chris Soto: The Mets are still interested in bringing on more solid depth for the bullpen. However, from a pitching standpoint...they have no space left on the 40 man roster. We have already seen the club have to cut a reasonably good low to medium leverage RP in Carlos Torres in order to make room for Antonio Bastardo. Any additional MLB roster move may not be much of a value add when you take into the account the pitcher they would have to cut....."well what about Eric Campbell's roster spot?" I agree Campbell's spot should be vurnable....however Campbell is the only MLB experienced IF left on the 40 man roster. The same as Darrell Ceciliani being the only "MLB experienced" OF left on the 40 man roster. Heaven forbid an injury occurs, the club will not want to have to bring up Dilson Herrera or Brandon Nimmo up that early into the 2016 season.)

HOT STOVE REPORT (courtesy of mlbtraderumor.com)

• The Nationals announced that they have signed SP Bronson Arroyo to a minor league contract with an invitation to Major League Spring Training. Arroyo missed the 2015 season due to recovery from Tommy John surgery, however, he is now 21 months removed from the procedure and figures to be ready to go.
• The Marlins have accepted the fact the star SP Jose Fernandez is highly unlikely to be on the team beyond his arbitration seasons. Fernandez’s representatives at the Boras Corporation believe that their client can receive upwards of $30MM annually upon reaching the open market following the completion of the 2018 season
• Cuban import Lazaro Armenteros expects to have a deal in place within the next two weeks. Despite receiving less than superstar-esque reviews in his showcases, a number of teams are still highly interested in signing him.

The Morning Report 1.12.2016 | Cricket Superstar Trying Out for New York Mets, Lazarito Declared a Free Agent, Yadiel Hernandez Defects

Devon Teeple | Examiner- Kieran Powell is one of the most talented batsmen in cricket. At age 25, he’s played at the highest professional level including his Twenty20 debut at age 16. Powell is also one of only 81 players in history who have scored centuries in both innings of a Test match. It was recently announced the Powell, who has dealt with some contract disputes, has decided to take some time off from the game and will attempt to transition to professional baseball. He peaked the interest of scouts immediately and has already has some tryouts, including with the Milwaukee Brewers and New York Mets.

(Chris Soto: This is an interesting story...cricket is a BRUTALLY long sport that last 5! days. The batter continues to swing his bat and runs across the pitch and back over, and over, and over again, until he is retired. In the First Class cricket league, Powell scored 139! runs before finally being retired, so if anything, the guy could have good ball to bat skills and crazy insane endurance. Heck, why not....give the guy a try with the GCL Mets and see how he performs and then move him wherever it seems appropriate.)



DJ Short | NBC Sports- 16-year-old Cuban prospect Lazaro Armenteros has been declared a free agent by MLB and will be eligible to sign with a team beginning on February 10. Known as “Lazarito” on the international baseball scene, he’s expected to end up in a corner outfield spot in the long run, but he has experience at both corner infield positions. It’s important to note that because of Armenteros’ age and experience level, he will be subject to MLB’s international spending limits. You might recall that there was a similar situation with Yoan Moncada about a year ago. He ended up signing a $31.5 million deal with the Red Sox. The total outlay of the deal ended up being $63 million due to the penalties involved for exceeding the international spending limit.

(Chris Soto: Before this past weekend's showcase, talent evaluators were calling Lazarito, "the next great one." Reminiscent of Bo Jackson and Willie Mays but at a younger age. I'm not quite sure how to take the showcase results though. Here's a guy who hasn't played organized baseball in over a year because he got caught trying to defect from Cuba twice and ended up getting suspended. The last line is very important here too.....Lazarito IS subject to international signing rules which the Mets, along with multiple other teams are unlikely to exceed. It is also important to note that with a new CBA scheduled to be negotiated; an international draft is very likely in 2017. Team's ARE expecting this and a number of them have indicated a plan to blow through international spending limits in the 2016-2017 signing period since penalties wouldn't be able to carry over into the draft.)

HOT STOVE REPORT (courtesy of mlbtraderumor.com)

• Another top level Cuban player has defected and is now preparing for showcases. OF Yadiel Hernandez will hold a showcase for MLB clubs on February 23rd in Mexico City. According to Ben Badler of Baseball America, Hernandez is one of the best position players available in a deep current pool of talent from the island nation. The 28-year-old has had his way with Cuban pitching at times — including a ridiculous .369/.509/.535 batting line that included 77 walks in 369 plate appearances last year — although Badler has explained previously that Hernandez is undersized and doesn’t possess loud tools.