Mets Morning News: Jay Bruce trade appears imminent, Wally Backman “blackballed”

Meet the Mets

Jay Bruce is likely to be traded soon, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reported. The Mets have been adamant in acquiring something valuable in return.

Late NYPD officer Steven McDonald shared a special connection with former Met Jesse Orosco.

Jenrry Mejia and the Mets went through the formality of agreeing to a one-year contract worth $1,976,000; money Mejia won’t receive, as players serving drug suspensions do not get paid.

Wally Backman, who will be managing in the Mexican league this summer, claimed to have been blackballed by Mets GM Sandy Alderson.

Nine Mets are eligible for arbitration ahead of Friday’s deadline.

John Sickels of Minor League Ball released a preliminary prospect list for the upcoming season.

Noah Syndergaard shared a fake mixtape cover on his Instagram page.

Around the NL East

Justin Klugh of The Good Phight profiled three hitters still available via trade or free agency.

Despite knowing four NFL players entering the season, infielder Miguel Rojas won the Marlins’ fantasy football league.

The Braves’ offseason hunt for starting pitching may not be over.

Around Major League Baseball

Manny Ramirez signing with the Kochi Fighting Dogs is “one last weird and opaque feat of inexplicability,” David Roth of VICE Sports writes.

The Rockies are considering extending outfielder Carlos Gonzalez.

Nicolas Stellini provided an update on Mike Trout’s career trajectory.

The Cubs will visit the White House during President Obama’s final days in office.

Jorge Posada is in danger of falling off future Hall of Fame ballots.

The Rockies could look to sign right-hander Joe Blanton.

Carlos Beltran explained his decision to return to the Houston Astros.

“Bargains won’t last forever” on one-dimensional power hitters, Dave Cameron of FanGraphs writes.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Chris McShane released Part 5 of Amazin’ Avenue’s “Let’s find the Mets a relief pitcher” series.

Eric Simon explained the rules of Amazin’ Avenue Audio’s iTunes review contest!

This Date in Mets History

On this date in 2012, the Mets lost Fernando Martinez to the Astros via the waiver wire. The “teenage hitting machine” appeared in just 99 games over the course of five major league seasons.

Happy birthday to Jermaine Allensworth, Rey Ordonez, Dan Norman, Jim McAndrew, and Danny Napoleon!