Mets Morning News: Mets re-sign Rene Rivera, the 51s get a new manager

Meet the Mets

The Mets re-signed backup catcher Rene Rivera to a one-year, $1.75 million deal, avoiding arbitration.

Pedro Lopez will be taking over as the manager of the Las Vegas 51s, in place of Wally Backman. Lopez has managed the Binghamton Mets for the past five seasons and is getting out just in time to avoid managing the Rumble Ponies. In extra-good news, Frank Viola will be back as pitching coach, and Jack Voigt will remain the hitting coach.

Yoenis Cespedes’s new contract includes some sweet perks, including a full no-trade clause, a slew of bonuses, and guaranteed hotel suites.

Jacob deGrom says he knows he’s healthy now because he can snap his fingers without pain.

Asdrubal Cabrera will play for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic.

Steven Matz has been given the green light to begin his normal offseason routine by doctors.

The Mets would prefer to trade Jay Bruce rather than Curtis Granderson.

The Mets promoted several people within their scouting department.

Craig Calcaterra examined Davey Johnson’s Hall of Fame prospects over at NBC Sports.

Around the NL East

The Braves had a busy day ahead of the non-tender deadline.

David Rollins has been on four teams during the last month, including his newest club, the Phillies.

The Marlins also had a busy day leading up to the non-tender deadline.

The Nationals made a trade with the Padres to bring back catcher Derek Norris to the team.

Around MLB

Albert Pujols is likely sidelined for four months after having surgery on his foot.

There was apparently a deal on the table to add a 26th player to MLB rosters in the new CBA, but the Union backed out at the last minute.

Pitcher Marc Rzepczynski signed a two-year deal with the Seattle Mariners worth $11 million dollars.

South Korean police have questioned the Pirates’ Jung Ho Kang about whether he crashed his car while drinking and had a friend falsify a police report.

Is Jonathan Judge the next Nate Silver?

Yesterday at AA

Chris McShane announced the winners of this year’s AAOP.

Aaron Yorke reviewed Jeurys Familia’s season.

Nicholas Brosnan took a look back at Kevin Plawecki’s mostly forgettable 2016.

There was a new episode of Amazin’ Avenue Audio.

Steve Sypa continued to count down the Mets’ top 25 prospects for 2017, with #10, Wuilmer Becerra.

This Date in Mets History

The Mets traded Tug McGraw to the Phillies on this date back in 1974.