#hatsoffmikepiazza Applesauce: Cooperstown Plans, 50th Anniversary Plans, Grissiony Retirement Plans

Meet the Mets

Gary Carter was awarded the "You Gotta Have Heart" award from the NYC BBWAA, and his family was on hand to accept the award. Prepare to get a little misty. Carter was my favorite player growing up and there is just nothing good about this whole situation. Cancer blows.

There was a meet and greet with fans at Citi on Sunday, but the topic of conversation unsurprisingly kept going to the Kid. My thoughts are with the Carter and his family, and I do hope the Mets have some kind of Gary Carter Day this season, though I understand and accept the arguments against retiring his number.

In happier news, during an interview with MSG, Mike Piazza said that he plans to wear a Mets hat into Cooperstown. This is all theoretical of course, cause, you know, old codgery sportswriters think he possibly used steroids. So I guess it's really not happier news.

Greg Prince of Faith and Fear takes a look at all the upcoming 50th anniversary celebration like things for the Mets. Not listed, an actual winning season.

Speaking of actual winning seasons, Clay Davenport has his first projection out for the 2012 season, and the Mets are...are not projected to have one of them. Also, the Rangers look kind of stupid good.

Jonathan Mayo lists Reese Havens as the ninth best second base prospect in baseball, which seems a bit high to me, but there really aren't that many great second base prospects usually, since your future elite second basemen are generally shortstops in the minors. Mayo also makes the understatement of the year about Havens when he writes "Injuries have been the biggest obstacle."

Around MLB

The Brisbee takes a look at the rather quiet offseasons from the Red Sox and the Giants. Granted, the Giants could still win the NL West, because it's the NL West. As for the Sox, they are looking to try and make a small splash by signing Roy Oswalt. Seems like a good fit for both parties.

Team Grission has lost one of their first ballot Hall of Famers, as David Eckstein is retiring. Maybe something good can come of this, though, like an FJM reunion to handle the deluge of sportswriter pablum we will now be subjected to on the topic.

The Mariners have inked the very veterany Kevin Millwood to a one year deal. Probably just rotation depth, but Safeco did resurrect Jarrod Washburn for a season, so who knows. Also, I'm actually a little surprised that Millwood has already won 163 games. He has truly had quite the underrated little career. #6org expert Dave Cameron likes the move, but that is probably less of a surprise.

Good news for the Twins, as Justin Morneau seems to finally be recovering from the concussion symptoms that have plagued him all year.

Now, Your Mets Highlight of the Day to Tide You Over Until Spring Training: Carlos Beltran doing Carlos Beltran things

30.9 fWAR + Zack Wheeler + Getting to watch awesome plays like this on a regular basis. Thanks Carlos! Even if you maybe really wanted to play for the Yankees.

And Your Non-Baseball Link of the Day: "In the Valley of the Shadow of Death"

Back when Rolling Stone used to be actually good at writing about stuff, they would have articles like this fairly regularly. I also picked this in case you have an hour you want to knock off this morning instead of working. It's long.