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Meet the Mets
With the 2019 season in the rearview mirror, Mickey Callaway will drive down to Florida as he awaits his fate.
The Mets are expected to make a decision relatively soon, as Jon Heyman reported that the team will meet this week to make personnel decisions. Callaway has one year left remaining on his current contract.
Joel Sherman talks about Callaway’s fate and what it means for the Mets’ future.
Should the Mets choose to move on from Callaway, available managers will likely find Flushing a desirable destination to go thanks to a talented young core.
Tim Britton dives into the 2019 Mets’ legacy and looks at how they will be remembered. (Paywall alert)
Pete Alonso became one of the most marketable players for the Mets following a breakout 2019 campaign that featured him breaking the rookie single-season home run record and winning the Home Run Derby in Cleveland. The Athletic took a look at the marketing blueprint for one of the game’s brightest young stars. (Paywall alert)
Alonso, meanwhile, was named Rookie of the Month for September. It was the third time he received the honor after also being named Rookie of the Month in April and June. He is the first Met to win the award three times in a season.
Despite trade rumors dating back to last offseason, Andy Martino believes the Mets will hold on to Noah Syndergaard while letting Zack Wheeler walk.
Following what might have been his final start in Queens, Ken Davidoff looks the complicated road ahead for the Mets and for Syndergaard.
Tim Peterson, Aaron Altherr, and Brooks Pounders officially elected for free agency.
Around the National League East
The Washington Nationals will take on the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Wild Card game at 8:08pm at Nationals Park.
Max Scherzer will get the nod for the Nationals in this do-or-die game. Matthew Trueblood of Baseball Prospectus argues that the team should also use Stephen Strasburg if needed in this game.
The Nationals have also reportedly offered soon-to-be free agent third baseman Anthony Rendon a seven-year deal worth somewhere in the $210-$215 million range.
On the heels of getting swept by the Mets, the Atlanta Braves will prepare to host the St. Louis Cardinals beginning on Thursday night in the National League Division Series.
Around Major League Baseball
The Anaheim Angels fired manager Brad Ausmus. In one year at the helm in Anaheim, Ausmus’ Angels posted a 72-90 record, which earned his club a fourth place finish in the American League West division. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Joe Maddon to the Angels is “likely to happen”, although nothing has been decided at this time.
With the news of Ausmus’ firing, there are now six teams looking to fill a managerial opening. Should the Philadelphia Phillies fire Gabe Kapler and the Mets follow suit with Callaway, that would make eight teams looking for a manager.
The Arizona Diamondbacks announced that Mike Butcher will not return as pitching coach.
Major League Baseball saw a 1.7% attendance drop in 2019, while league attendance overall has dropped 14% since it reached its peak in 2007.
Despite a disappointing 2019 finish and a third place finish with no postseason baseball, the Boston Red Sox are expected to raise ticket prices in 2020. The team won the World Series in 2018 but recently fired their General Manager.
During Bruce Bochy’s retirement ceremony on Sunday, Tim Lincecum returned to Oracle Park for the first time in four years. The former San Francisco Giants legend was a big part of their three World Series titles, and Sami Higgins of McCovey Chronicles talks about what his return meant to her.
The Oakland Athletics will host the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Wild Card game on Wednesday night. MC Hammer will deliver the first pitch at the game, hopefully while rocking his famous parachute pants.
Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue
We wanted to take a moment to thank all the incredible readers who have spent time with us throughout the course of this season.
I reviewed Jacob deGrom’s incredible season, which helped position him as the favorite to win his second consecutive Cy Young award.
The latest episode of From Complex to Queens featured guest spots from Jeffery Paternostro and Jarrett Seidler of Baseball Prospectus.
Celebrate Alonso’s 53-homer season with a brand new shirt from BreakingT!
This Date in Mets History
On this date in 1973, the Mets defeated the Chicago Cubs 6-4 to clinch the National League East on the final game of the season. The Mets were originally scheduled to play a double header with the Cubs, but rain washed away what would’ve turned out to be a meaningless 162nd game. The Mets went on to win their second National League pennant later in October.