Mets Morning News: James Loney and Alejandro De Aza hit the road

Meet the Mets

James Loney signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers yesterday. A guy on Facebook still swears he’s better than Lucas Duda.

Alejandro De Aza signed a minor league deal with the Oakland Athletics.

The Orioles signed Mark Trumbo, likely closing off another Jay Bruce landing spot.

Keith Law ranks the Mets as having the seventh-best farm system in baseball.

David Wright doesn’t want your pity, he just wants to win.

Yesterday, Wright was busy hosting a charity poker night in Norfolk.

Brandon Nimmo will play for Italy in this year’s World Baseball Classic.

The Mets are likely headed for some lean years in the Hall of Fame voting.

Around the NL East

The Mets may have finished seventh in Keith Law’s farm system rankings, but the Braves finished first.

The Marlins are seeking a low-cost righty bat on the free agent and trade markets.

Ken Rosenthal thinks the Dodgers should consider trying to pry Cesar Hernandez away from the Phillies.

Around MLB

The Athletics signed Santiago Casilla to a two-year, $11 million deal.

The St. Petersburg city council has banned smokeless tobacco from being used at Rays games.

Tyson Ross will apparently miss the month of April, and likely not make his return to the Rangers until May or June.

The Blue Jays are going to wear entirely red “Canadiana” uniforms during some games next season. You can judge for yourself whether they’re hideous.

Trevor Cahill has finalized a one-year deal with the San Diego Padres.

The Brewers are planning to sign Joba Chamberlin.

This Date in Mets History

On this date back in 2002, Steve Phillips made a series of blockbuster trades meant to bolster the Amazins that resulted in the Mets going from an 82-80 record in 2001 to a 75-86 record in 2002.