Mets Morning News: Hall of Fame announcements approaching, Jeremy Hefner retires

Meet the Mets

As spring training approaches, the trade market for Jay Bruce is dwindling.

Former Met Jeremy Hefner is retiring from baseball. Hefner, who spent last season in St. Louis’ farm system, cited a partially torn rotator cuff as the cause for his decision.

Sam Dykstra of MiLB.com ranked the Mets’ top prospects.

The BP Mets staff playfully described how Seattle GM Jerry DiPoto would run the Mets.

Jacob deGrom hopes 2017 is the year all Mets starters stay healthy.

Around the NL East

Edinson Volquez’s 25-year-old brother was stabbed to death in the Dominican Republic. Edinson hopes “justice is served” following the tragedy.

Phillies starter Aaron Nola claims to be 100% healthy entering spring training. Nola’s 2016 campaign came to an end in August after suffering a UCL sprain.

Veteran pitcher Blaine Boyer rejoined the Braves on a minor league deal, and stands a good chance to make the team out of spring training.

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo is leaning toward using in-house options to fill out Washington’s open bullpen spots.

Around Major League Baseball

Jose Bautista re-signed with the Blue Jays on a one-year, $18 million contract. Bautista may not have received the big contract he anticipated, but he’ll help Toronto win in 2017.

Bautista continues to defy expectations late into his career, Travis Sawchik of FanGraphs writes.

Hall of Fame voters drawing distinctions between pre-and post-testing PED offenders is “illogical and deeply flawed,” Nathaniel Rakich of VICE Sports argued.

The Rangers signed veteran outfielder Josh Hamilton on a minor league contract. Texas also brought former Met Dillon Gee aboard on a minor league deal.

Eno Sarris of FanGraphs was cautiously optimistic of Philadelphia’s “low-risk” signing of Michael Saunders.

White Sox prospect Michael Kopech reportedly hit 110 MPH in a recent workout.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Matt Varvaro proposed another way to evaluate Hall of Fame candidates.

Eric Simon unveiled Amazin’ Avenue’s community awards for 2016!

This Date in Mets History

On this date in 1938, Grover Cleveland Alexander was the lone inductee of the Hall of Fame class, as former Mets coach Rogers Hornsby and Eddie Collins fell short of the necessary 75% voting.