Mets Morning News: January 25, 2013 — Pick Protection In Limbo, Justin Upton Traded To Braves

Should the Mets be able to get protection for their first-round pick so they can sign Michael Bourn without losing it? Craig Calcaterra doesn't think so.

The great Mark Simon of ESPN New York ranked his top five Mets teams of all time.

We mentioned it here briefly, too, but Chris Cwik of Fangraphs mentioned that Shaun Marcum might benefit from moving to Citi Field.

Around MLB

The Braves acquired Justin Upton from the Diamondbacks and will slot him in alongside his brother B.J. Upton and Jason Heyward for one of the best outfields in the game. As much as I can't stand the Braves, Talking Chop has a pretty sweet graphic atop its piece on the trade.

Why did Arizona trade Upton? Not enough grission, of course.

Yesterday at Amazin' Avenue

Marcum Mania! I wrote up the breaking news that the Mets had signed Marcum. Bryan Grosnick asked what Marcum might be able to do this year for the Amazins. And last, but not least, Brock Mahan gave us some slow-fastball trivia related to Marcum.

Is Michael Bourn a good fit for the Mets? Spencer Schneier says no. I say yes.

The Amazin' Avenue podcast is back!

And I wrote up why the Mets' outfield — even without Bourn — might be better than most people think.