NEW MET - RP Jim Henderson

The Mets made a low-risk, potential high-upside acquisition Thursday, signing reliever Jim Henderson to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training.

Henderson, 33, had his best season in 2013, when he went 5-5 with a 2.70 ERA and 28 saves in 61 appearances for the Brewers. The right-hander spent most of last season at Triple-A in his comeback from shoulder surgery.

Year	Team	Lg	Level	Unif#	Org	Age	Diff	W	L	ERA	G	GS	CG	SHO	GF	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	WP	BK	HB	WHIP	H9	HR9	BB9	SO9	K/BB
2003	GCL Expos	GCL	Rk	-	mon	20	-0.6	0	0	2.25	4	0	0	0	1	1	8.0	6	3	2	0	1	3	1	0	0	0.88	6.75	0.00	1.13	3.38	3.00
2003	Vermont	NYPL	A-	33	mon	20	-1.7	1	1	6.93	15	0	0	0	4	0	24.2	32	28	19	1	15	13	2		0	1.91	11.68	0.36	5.47	4.74	0.87
2004	Vermont	NYPL	A-	15	mon	21	-0.6	2	6	2.59	14	13	0	0	0	0	76.1	60	34	22	2	27	39	0		0	1.14	7.07	0.24	3.18	4.60	1.44
2005	Savannah	SAL	A	-	was	22	-0.2	9	11	5.47	26	26	1	1	0	0	149.2	166	99	91	20	50	76	3	0	0	1.44	9.98	1.20	3.01	4.57	1.52
2006	Savannah	SAL	A	-	was	23	0.8	0	1	3.38	3	0	0	0	1	0	5.1	6	2	2	1	0	6	0	0	0	1.13	10.13	1.69	0.00	10.13	--
2006	Potomac	Caro	A+	35	was	23	-0.6	2	2	4.50	25	1	0	0	12	1	52.0	44	31	26	4	22	56	5	0	0	1.27	7.62	0.69	3.81	9.69	2.55
2007	Tennessee	Sou	AA	15	chn	24	-0.5	4	3	1.86	42	0	0	0	22	10	58.0	50	15	12	7	25	49	2	0	0	1.29	7.76	1.09	3.88	7.60	1.96
2007	Iowa	PCL	AAA	16	chn	24	-2.8	3	0	5.54	8	0	0	0	1	0	13.0	16	8	8	2	6	6	0	0	0	1.69	11.08	1.38	4.15	4.15	1.00
2008	Tennessee	Sou	AA	-	chn	25	0.1	0	1	0.00	5	0	0	0	4	1	6.1	5	1	0	0	1	4	1	0	0	0.95	7.11	0.00	1.42	5.68	4.00
2008	Iowa	PCL	AAA	-	chn	25	-1.9	0	0	15.00	3	0	0	0	1	0	3.0	2	5	5	1	5	4	0	0	0	2.33	6.00	3.00	15.00	12.00	0.80
2009	Wisconsin	Midw	A	-	mil	26	4.0	0	0	1.07	26	0	0	0	25	17	25.1	19	4	3	0	8	26	0	0	0	1.07	6.75	0.00	2.84	9.24	3.25
2009	Brevard County	FSL	A+	40	mil	26	2.8	3	0	2.76	15	0	0	0	5	4	29.1	16	11	9	2	14	20	1	0	0	1.02	4.91	0.61	4.30	6.14	1.43
2009	Huntsville	Sou	AA	19	mil	26	1.4	1	0	2.57	5	0	0	0	3	0	7.0	8	3	2	0	4	5	2	0	0	1.71	10.29	0.00	5.14	6.43	1.25
2010	Huntsville	Sou	AA	15	mil	27	2.6	4	5	5.46	45	0	0	0	17	7	61.0	49	44	37	8	35	60	2	0	0	1.38	7.23	1.18	5.16	8.85	1.71
2011	Huntsville	Sou	AA	29	mil	28	3.5	4	1	2.64	22	0	0	0	11	5	30.2	22	9	9	4	8	39	2	0	0	0.98	6.46	1.17	2.35	11.45	4.88
2011	Nashville	PCL	AAA	35	mil	28	1.1	3	1	5.93	20	0	0	0	8	0	30.1	24	20	20	4	23	30	0	0	0	1.55	7.12	1.19	6.82	8.90	1.30
2012	Nashville	PCL	AAA	19	mil	29	2.1	4	3	1.69	35	0	0	0	29	15	48.0	36	10	9	2	22	56	0	0	0	1.21	6.75	0.38	4.13	10.50	2.55
2012	Milwaukee Brewers	NL	MLB	51	mil	29		1	3	3.52	36	0	0	0	6	3	30.2	26	12	12	1	13	45	1	0	1	1.27	7.63	0.29	3.82	13.21	3.46
2013	Wisconsin	Midw	A		mil	30	8.0	0	0	0.00	1	0	0	0	1	0	1.0	1	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	1.00	9.00	0.00	0.00	27.00	--
2013	Milwaukee Brewers	NL	MLB	29	mil	30		5	5	2.70	61	0	0	0	45	28	60.0	44	18	18	8	24	75	0	0	2	1.13	6.60	1.20	3.60	11.25	3.13
2014	Azl Brewers	Ariz	Rk	27	mil	31	10.0	0	0	0.00	3	2	0	0	0	0	3.2	3	0	0	0	0	5	1	0	0	0.82	7.36	0.00	0.00	12.27	--
2014	Huntsville	Sou	AA	30	mil	31	6.2	0	0	0.00	3	0	0	0	0	0	4.0	1	1	0	0	1	4	1	0	0	0.50	2.25	0.00	2.25	9.00	4.00
2014	Nashville	PCL	AAA	28	mil	31	4.3	0	1	6.75	3	0	0	0	0	0	2.2	2	2	2	1	2	4	0	0	0	1.50	6.75	3.37	6.75	13.50	2.00
2014	Milwaukee Brewers	NL	MLB	29	mil	31		2	1	7.15	14	0	0	0	3	0	11.1	14	10	9	3	4	17	0	0	0	1.59	11.12	2.38	3.18	13.50	4.25
2015	Brevard County	FSL	A+	29	mil	32	8.6	0	1	4.50	2	1	0	0	0	0	2.0	2	1	1	1	1	3	0	0	0	1.50	9.00	4.50	4.50	13.50	3.00
2015	Biloxi	Sou	AA	44	mil	32	7.4	0	0	0.00	4	0	0	0	1	1	4.0	2	0	0	0	2	5	1	0	0	1.00	4.50	0.00	4.50	11.25	2.50
2015	Colorado Springs	PCL	AAA	39	mil	32	5.3	1	1	4.55	29	1	0	0	12	2	29.2	31	15	15	4	17	25	2	0	0	1.62	9.40	1.21	5.16	7.58	1.47
MLB Totals (3 seasons)								8	9	3.44	111	0	0	0	54	31	102	84	40	39	12	41	137	1	0	3	1.23	7.41	1.06	3.62	12.09	3.34

Mack - Henderson becomes the second cheap addition (Stolmy Pimentel) that might wind up in a 2016. Mets bullpen that will include Jeurys Familia, and Addison Reed. 

My guess is Josh Edgin and Jenrry Mejia are locks to return once they are healed (or freed), but, past that, who the heck knows.

TOP 50 METS PROSPECTS: #6 THRU 10 – Tom Brennan

TOP PROSPECTS

TOP 50 METS PROSPECTS: #6 THRU 10 – Tom Brennan

A minor league system that in 2015 promoted several, traded many, had several prospects run into the Tommy John buzzsaw, and saw a few guys go from prospect to suspect.  Leaving a diminished, but still solid, minor league system prospect-wise. 

(See website sidebar for list of my #11-50 dudes, covered in prior articles.)

Today, here’s my #6 thru #10:   

6.          MAX WOTELL: as with Desmond Lindsay, I am taking a high flier on Max at #6 because the Mets selected the lefty out of high school in the 3^rd round, indicative of being considered very highly, and the 18 year old in 2015 pitched little (at least in official games) but put up eye-catching #’s: (10.2 IP, 2 hits, 9 walks, 16 Ks).  Long way to go for Max, but I am kind of hoping we may have another lefty like Steve Matz in Max.   Maybe the slot at # 6 is way too high.  Probably so. Maybe not. 

7.          AMED ROSARIO: perhaps the best of the Mets’ minor league shortstop prospects, reputed to be a future above average SS with speed and hitting ability.  Power should come as the pounds are added to his still-slender 19 year old frame.  Could have a long and successful year as a MLB starting shortstop.  As a 20 year old, he should head to AA.

8.          AKEEL MORRIS: his major league career started prematurely, as he was asked to pitch against the most potent offense in baseball on their home field after coming straight out of A ball.  Add some bad fielding that day, and it was an ouch moment, followed by a return back to the minor league incubator for Akeel.  He was awesome in A ball up to that point, burped a few times when sent from the majors to AA, but finished strong.  Last 3 years in the minors: 8-4, 30 of 34 save opportunities, 163 innings, 230 Ks, 1.27 ERA.  Crazy numbers, resulting from a mid 90s fastball, terrific change up, and determination.  AAA is in his near future if he is not traded, and a likely major league fully gestated debut some time in 2016.  Not bad for a young man from the Virgin Islands. 

9.     RAFAEL MONTERO: poor Rafael had a horrible year injury-wise, just when I thought he’d be a top major league pitching entry.  If healthy, he deserves to be way up further on this list.  I will give him the benefit of the doubt on the injury matter, and hope for a fully healthy return in 2016.  If deemed healthy, other teams may make a play for him. 

10.             DARRELL CECILIANI: I like him, and I know I would be in the minority, but I like him more than Nimmo – except he keeps pulling hamstrings, which is a real problem he has to figure out, or it all will become academic.  He was in a bit over his head during his sporadic playing time in Queens this summer, but who wasn’t until Conforto got there.  Due to his time in the bigs and another leg injury, he managed just 70 games in Vegas, but put up .345/.398/.581 numbers and stole 16 of 20 bases besides.  DC has a real chance IMO to supplant strikeout Kirk Nieuwenhuis as Mets 5^th OF in 2016.

45 prospects discussed so far, 5 to go. 

See my next article for the particulars.

12.2.2015 Winter League Results | Flores Goes Yard in DoubleHeader, Jeremy Hefner Looking Healthy in DR, Rough Days for Monell and Berrios in Marathon Game

Arizona Fall League

Completed. Final Game was November 19th

Mexican Pacific League

- Venados de Mazatlan 0 - 4 Charros de Jalisco
- Caneros de los Mochis 0 - 1 Naranjeros de Hermosillo
- Yaquis de Obregon 5 - 9 Tomateros de Culiacan
- Aguilas de Mexicali 4 - 6 Mayos de Navojoa

• C Xorge Carrillo: 0 for 3,  K

  

Venezuela Professional Baseball League

- Leones del Caracas 1 - 7 Caribes de Anzoategui
- Tiburones de La Guaira 1 - 5 Cardenales de Lara

• DH Jairo Perez: 0 for 3, BB, K

- Bravos de Margarita 2 - 6 Navegantes del Magallanes

• 2B Wilmer Flores: 1 for 3, R, HR(1), RBI(1), K

- Bravos de Margarita 3 - 4 Navegantes del Magallanes

• 2B Wilmer Flores: 0 for 2, BB

Dominican Baseball League

- Estrellas de Oriente 4 - 6 Aguilas Cibaenas
- Tigres del Licey 5 - 4 Toros del Este

• CF Juan Lagares: 0 for 3, BB, K

- Gigantes del Cibao 1 - 2 Leones del Escogido

• RHP Jeremy Hefner: 4.0 IP, 4 H

Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League

- Gigantes de Carolina 1 - 2 Indios de Mayaguez

• 2B T.J. Rivera: 0 for 2, BB

- Criollos de Caguas 4 - 3 Cangrejeros de Santurce (17 Innings)

• C Johnny Monell: 0 for 5, BB, 2 K
• LF Arnaldo Berrios: 1 for 6, 2 R, BB, 3 K
• RHP Jon Velasquez: 1.0 IP, 1 BB

The Morning Report 12.3.2015 | Mets Tender Arbitration Offers to All Eligible Players, Bob Geren Leaves NY to take LA Bench Coach Job, Notable Non-Tenders around the MLB

Marc Carig | Newsday- The Mets tendered contracts to all eight of their arbitration-eligible players.Tendering all eight players will cost the Mets roughly $27 million, according to salary projections from MLBTR.com. Duda ($6.8M) and Reed ($5.7M) lead the pack, followed by Harvey ($4.7M), Familia ($3.3M), Tejada ($2.5M), Torres ($800k) and Edgin ($600k). Mejia is projected to make $2.6M, though he’ll make only a portion of that because his 162-game suspension runs into 2016.

(Chris Soto: There was a little scuttlebutt that the Mets could potentially non-tender Ruben Tejada and let Matt Reynolds play the role of back-up SS, but, with as defensively challenged as Wilmer Flores is at SS, the club needed a true SS on the roster. I am a bit surprised that Torres was tendered a contract after his dismal 2015 season, but, at only $800k, no one is really going to complain. The Mets do have a long history of avoiding arbitration hearings so I do expect most of the players here to agree to a set 1 yr deal for the 2016. However, I can certainly see a multi year, lower $ per yr deal for Addison Reed since $5.7M is quite a chunk of change for a borderline 8th inning RP.)



Maria Guardado | NJ Advance Media- Mets bench coach Bob Geren interviewed for the Dodgers' managerial vacancy in November, but Dave Roberts was ultimately selected to be Los Angeles' new skipper. But now the Dodgers have hired Geren away from the Mets to be Roberts' new bench coach. Geren spent the last four seasons in Queens working as manager Terry Collins' right-hand man in the dugout and was invited back to the Mets next season. He also served as a catching coach to the Mets' backstops, including Travis d'Arnaud and Kevin Plawecki. 

(Chris Soto: This is secretly going to be a decent size loss for the Mets. Geren has a strong understanding of advanced analytics from his Oakland Athletics coaching days from 2007-2011 which was heavily leveraged during games. This was especially evident in the way d'Arnaud and Plawecki called games; attacking hitters in certain spots of the strike zone and heavily leaning on certain pitches during certain situations. This will surely fire back up the whole "Bring Backman to Queens" movement, however, it is far more likely that the Mets will find another analytics based guy in their organization. So far the leading speculation points to Binghamton Mets manager Pedro Lopez being called up to possibly take over the 3B coach role with the excellent Tim Teufel moving to bench coach.)



HOT STOVE REPORT (courtesy of mlbtraderumor.com)

• The deadline to tender arbitration eligible players a contract was 11:59 PM EST yesterday. Here are some notable guys who were released and are now Free Agents.
• RP: Neftali Feliz, Yusmeiro Petit, Al Alburquerque, Steve Cishek, Greg Holland, Craig Stammen
• SP: Henderson Alvarez
• 1B: Chris Carter, Pedro Alvarez
• 3B: Will Middlebrooks

(Chris Soto: Woah....I did not expect the Marlins to non tender Henderson Alvarez. The 25 year old was a huge part of the Marlins rotation in 2014 posting a 2.98 ERA before he struggled with a shoulder injury last season. He is certainly worth taking a flyer on and seeing if he could heal up and become a contributor once again. 

Petit has been a superb swingman for the San Francisco Giants over the past few years and could be a solid addition to the bullpen. 

Cishek was a superb RP every year for the Marlins until he lost his CL job and was traded to St. Louis. I'm surprised the Cardinals non-tendered him considering he posted a 2.31 ERA during his time in the Redbirds bullpen. 

Craig Stammen was a superb 8th inning guy for the Nationals before getting flexor tendon surgery in April this year. He's not a guy would be ready come Spring Training but signing him could be a good play come May/June if he can recover well and return to form.

Lastly, Greg Holland was an unsurprising non-tender. The former top tier closer for the Royals, pitched most of 2015 with a torn UCL and needs Tommy John surgery which will knock him out for 2016. However, I could see a team signing him to a 2 yr backloaded deal to see if they can rehab him back for usage in 2017.)

12.1.2015 Winter League Results | 2 Hit Day for Lagares, Off Night for Lara, T.J. Rivera Continues to Hit Hit Hit

Arizona Fall League

Completed. Final Game was November 19th

Mexican Pacific League

- Venados de Mazatlan 6 - 7 Charros de Jalisco
- Caneros de los Mochis 1 - 2 Naranjeros de Hermosillo
- Yaquis de Obregon 5 - 4 Tomateros de Culiacan
- Aguilas de Mexicali 2 - 3 Mayos de Navojoa

• C Xorge Carrillo: 0 for 3, BB, 2 K

  

Venezuela Professional Baseball League

- No Games Scheduled

Dominican Baseball League

- Tigres del Licey 1 - 3 Estrellas de Oriente
- Toros del Este 5 - 4 Gigantes del Cibao
- Aguilas Cibaenas 4 - 5 Leones del Escogido

• CF Juan Lagares: 2 for 4, K, Caught Stealing(1) [Picked Off 1st]
• RHP Rainy Lara: 1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K 

Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League

- Gigantes de Carolina 2 - 2 Cangrejeros de Santurce (Suspended: Rain)
- Criollos de Caguas 3 - 1 Indios de Mayaguez

• C Johnny Monell: 0 for 3, BB, K
• LF Arnaldo Berrios: 0 for 4, 3 K
• 2B T.J. Rivera: 2 for 3, BB

The Morning Report 12.2.2015 | Asking Price for Zobrist Continues to Rise, Mets Could be Sneaking in on SS Asdrubal Cabrera, Contract Tender Deadline is Today

Maria Guardado | NJ Advance Media- With a bevy of suitors, Ben Zobrist's price tag on the free agent market continues to soar. Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reported Tuesday that Zobrist's asking price is currently hovering around four years, $60 million and may continue to climb. Zobrist is reportedly the Mets' "No. 1" free agent target this winter, but at least 10 other clubs have also been linked to the super utility man, including the Washington Nationals, Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals. 

(Chris Soto: This is turning out to be an all out bidding war for versatile 35 year old. In my opinion though, 4 years is just too much. Zobrist was already in decline as his OPS and defensive production from 2012 to 2014 was in steady decline before a strong bounce back season in a contract year. The Mets certainly don't want to be on the wrong side of a player's career as they did with OF Michael Cuddyer last season.)



Brian Devine | Metsmerized Online- Reports [indicate] that shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, is expected to make a decision within the next week or so. According to Venezuelan reporter Efrain Zavarce, the Mets are among five teams that are interested in free agent shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera. Zavarce says that the Yankees, White Sox, Royals and Angels have also expressed interest.

(Chris Soto: Cabrera is an interesting case...He's been on either the trade market or Free Agency market for a couple of years now which has led to a reduction of perceived value for him. Last season Cabrera was only able to secure a 1 year deal for $7.5M from the lowest payroll team in baseball. His 2015 wasn't "great", but he did provide a solid .265 AVG with a .744 OPS on 15 HR, 58 RBI for the Rays making him the 5th best offensive SS in baseball last season. Defensively though, he is only slightly better than Wilmer Flores as he has averaged -7 Defensive Runs Saved at SS over the past 2 years. Still better than Flores' -10 runs from 2015.....but not by much.)



HOT STOVE REPORT (courtesy of mlbtraderumor.com)

• The deadline to tender arbitration eligible players a contract is today. Per Marc Carig of Newsday, the Mets plan to tender contracts to all of their eligible players. This means SS Ruben Tejada, RP Jhenrry Mejia, RP Josh Edgin, RP Addison Reed, RP Juerys Familia, RP Carlos Torres, 1B Lucas Duda, and SP Matt Harvey will all go to arbitration hearings unless a new contract is mutually agreed upon before hearings begin in February.
• The Miami Marlins have a preliminary agreement to sign former MLB OF Barry Bonds to become their MLB co-hitting coach. 
• Meanwhile, the Atlanta Braves are shopping SP Shelby Miller to teams looking to acquire higher upside rotation talent without having to shell out $20M per season to acquire it via free agency. 

METS' TOP 50 PROSPECTS: # 11 - 15 by Tom Brennan

                       TOP PROSPECTS

TOP 50 METS PROSPECTS: #11 THRU 15 – Tom Brennan

A minor league system that in 2015 promoted several, traded many, had several prospects run into the Tommy John buzzsaw, and saw a few guys go from prospect to suspect.  Leaving a diminished, but still solid, minor league system prospect-wise. 

(See website sidebar for list of my #16-50 dudes, covered in prior articles.)

Today, here’s my #11 thru #15:  

11.          JEFF MCNEIL: I thought he should have been co-MVP of the FSL with Dominic Smith, but my ballot had a hanging chad on it so it was not counted, despite Al Gore's complaints.  Gore got quite heated about it, which is not good for global warming.  McNeil played 119 games for St Lucie and hit .312/.373/.382 with 80 runs scored and 16 of 21 steals.  Only 59 Ks.  A whole lot to like.  Solid D. Add some pop and his value will be indisputable. 

12.          PATRICK MAZELKA: I am ranking this 2015 8^th round selection high, high, high (perhaps too high), after a superlative season in Kingsport rookie ball.  He hit a robust .354/.451/.540 in 62 games, and made but a single error catching for the K Mets.  Should have been the league’s MVP. Got gypped.  Get him into a full season league in 2016.  In my opinion, make that assignment St Lucie and let's see what he's got. 

13.          LUIS GUILLORME: A 10th round pick in 2014, Luis impressed in 2014 in rookie ball.  How would he do in full season ball in 2015?  How about MVP of the S. Atlantic League.  He shouldn’t have won it – he should have been promoted mid season instead, but with a glut of infielders in higher leagues, he stayed, played 122 games, hit .318/.391/.354, and drove in 55 runs, stealing 18 of 26 and flashing leather.  Great year, period.  Only area of focus would be more extra base hits.  Most likely slated for the FSL, where he will try to win another MVP. 

14.          EUDOR GARCIA:  This 2014 4^th rounder manned 3B for the Gnats and had a sweet year. In 105 games, he raked with a line of .296/.340/.442.  Needs to tamp down a little on the strikeouts, and boost his walk rate, but he is one possible candidate to replace David Wright at some point at the hot corner. 12 errors, needs to tighten that up. 

15.          WUILMER BECERRA:  We got two great players from Toronto for RA Dickey – Thor and d’Arnaud – who could ask for anything more? Well, Sandy was greedy and asked for Becerra too.  Request granted.  Wuilmer’s year (.290/.342/.423) virtually cloned Eudor Garcia’s for Savannah, except he stole more (16 of 24).  A real possibility for the OF in Queens by late 2017 or 2018, at which point another thank you note should be sent to the Blue Jays.  Headed most likely for St Lucie in 2016

40 prospects (#11 - #50) have been covered, so...

the top 10 is coming up in my next 2 articles.

11.30.2015 Winter League Results | All Quiet in the Caribbean, No Rest for Alvarez Though

Arizona Fall League

Completed. Final Game was November 19th

Mexican Pacific League

- No Games Scheduled

  

Venezuela Professional Baseball League

- No Games Scheduled

Dominican Baseball League

- Leones del Escogido 2 - 6 Tigres del Licey
- Estrellas de Oriente 4 - 5 Toros del Este

• LHP Dario Alvarez: 0.1 IP

Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League

- No Games Scheduled

The Morning Report 12.1.2015 | Some Trade Interest in Juan Lagares, Mejia Expected to be Tendered a Contract, Mets Lose 2 More Minor League Free Agents

Brian Devine | Metsmerized Online- Ken Davidoff of the New York Post reports that the Mets have received several trade inquiries on CF Juan Lagares recently. Lagares is still owed $22.5 million over the next three years and took a major step backwards this year as he hit .259/.289/.358 with a 80 wRC+ in 465 plate appearances. He eventually lost his starting job in centerfield after the team acquired Yoenis Cespedes over the summer.

(Chris Soto: It is very unlikely that the Mets will trade Lagares, however, they absolutely should entertain offers. As good as Lagares is defensively, his bat lags way behind his defensive abilities. If he had not lost his job and qualified for batting titles....Lagares would have ranked 22nd out of 24 qualified centerfielders in OPS only ahead of Washington's Michael Taylor and San Francisco's Angel Pagan.)



Danny Abriano | Rising Apple- The non-tender deadline is Wednesday and the Mets are planning to tender a contract to RH reliever Jenrry Mejia. Mejia was suspended for 162 games this past July after his second positive test for illegal performance enhancing drugs. At the time of his suspension, Mejia had recently returned from his first suspension for illegal PED’s that he received in March. The Mets are monitoring Mejia’s performance for the Tigres del Licey in the Dominican Winter Leaguein order to make a decision regarding whether to tender him a contract.

(Chris Soto: I've been saying it all winter long.....Since the Mets still own cost control of Mejia, there is ZERO downside to keeping him. He not going to get a raise from his 2015 salary of $2.59M; in fact, it is more likely that the Mets offer the maximum reduction allowed via arbitration and sign him for $2.076M for 2016. On top of that, since Mejia is suspended, the Mets don't even need to pay him until his suspension is complete on July 26th so he would truly only cost the Mets $692k in 2016. There is plenty of upside in him being a potential late inning addition to the bullpen that outweighs the moral desires of the fanbase to release him.)



HOT STOVE REPORT (courtesy of mlbtraderumor.com)

• In addition to C Anthony Recker signing with the Cleveland Indians yesterday, two additional Mets minor leaguers signed contracts with new teams. According to Baseball America's Matt Eddy, 1B Brandon Allen signed a minor league deal with the Cinncinnati Reds. The 29 yr old hit .273 AVG last season with 16 HR and 68 RBI for the Mets AAA Las Vegas team. 
• Mr. Eddy also updated the Baseball America MiLB free agent tracker. His update shows that 3B Josh Rodriguez has also signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics. The 30 yr old Rodriguez played most of 2015 with the AA Binghamton Mets hitting .282 with 19 HR and 76 RBI.