Mets Morning News: Phillies acquire Clay Buchholz, anniversary of R.A. Dickey signing

Meet the Mets

38-year-old former Met Endy Chavez robbed a home run in the Venezuelan league.

The Mets had “very, very preliminary” discussions with the Pirates about Andrew McCutchen. Peter Botte of the Daily News asked readers what their price for McCutchen would be.

Anthony DiComo of MLB.com threw cold water on the McCutchen rumors, noting the team would be more likely to go with an in-house option.

Rich MacLeod of BP Mets wrote about the market (or lack thereof) for Jay Bruce.

Emma Baccellieri deemed the Mets’ outfield “kind of a mess” in her Rumor Roundup column for Baseball Prospectus.

Around the NL East

Aram Leighton of Fish Stripes addressed the possibility of Jeffrey Loria selling the Marlins.

The Phillies’ rotation could be “very good” in 2017, John Stolnis of The Good Phight writes.

Several members of the Washington Nationals discussed the team’s outlook for 2017 and beyond.

If the Nationals don’t sign a closer via free agency, the team could give the job to in-house options such as Shawn Kelley, Koda Glover, or Blake Treinen.

Alan Carpenter of Tomahawk Take listed five questions the Braves need to answer entering spring training.

Around Major League Baseball

The Red Sox traded Clay Buchholz to the Phillies for a minor leaguer. The move was a cost-cutting maneuver for Boston, Scott Lauber of ESPN notes.

David Murphy of Philly.com is optimistic about Buchholz’s fit in the Phillies’ rotation.

Paul Swydan of FanGraphs recapped the trade for both organizations.

Joe Posnanski of MLB.com wrote a story on Alex Fulmer meeting Mildred Meacham. Fulmer is the youngest player on Team USA, whereas Meacham played baseball in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.

David Roth of VICE Sports listed baseball players with names “both futuristic and goofy enough that George Lucas would have come up with [them].”

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Chris McShane reviewed David Wright’s 2016 season.

This Date in Mets History

On this date in 2009, the Mets signed R.A. Dickey to a minor league contract. Dickey spent two seasons in the Mets’ rotation before winning Cy Young honors with a standout 2012 campaign.

Happy birthday to Taylor Teagarden, John Mayberry Jr., Phillip Humber, Royce Ring, Dicky Gonzalez, Buddy Carlyle, LaTroy Hawkins, Roger McDowell, Dave Kingman, and Elliott Maddox!