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Meet the Mets
Marcus Stroman will have a slightly different look next season, as the righty pitcher revealed that he will be rocking the number 0 on his uniform in 2020. He’ll be the first Met to wear that number since Omar Quintanilla in 2014, and just the fourth Met overall.
Superstar players Mookie Betts and Francisco Lindor are reportedly on the trading block this offseason. You know what would be really nice? If the Mets made a move for one of them.
The Cubs also seem to be open for business this winter, so we could alternatively imagine a scenario in which the Mets decided to pursue a trade with them.
It is more likely to expect the Mets to pursue some of the relief pitching options on the free agent market, however, and there are a few names that could potentially make sense for them.
The takeaways from the General Managers Meetings which just took place certainly seem to indicate that the major story behind the Mets’ offseason plans will be about their pitching.
The results of Major League Baseball’s investigations into the Astros’ alleged cheating and their interview with Carlos Beltran and others over their purported involvement will determine whether discipline is necessary for the Mets’ new skipper.
Brodie Van Wagenen and the Mets are going to sit back and let the investigation run its course.
Sterling Equities—the real estate company which is primarily owned by the Wilpons—has reportedly not yet paid the share of money it committed to building a new hockey arena for the Islanders. The Wilpons being unreliable with money, you say? Well, I never!
Around the National League East
As the agent of both Anthony Rendon and Stephen Strasburg, Scott Boras has a large amount of power in determining how the Nationals’ offseason goes.
The Phillies are hoping to sign catcher J.T. Realmuto to a long-term extension this offseason, but it might not happen too quickly.
The Braves concluded the General Managers Meetings with a splash by signing free agent reliever Will Smith, and they have several other cogs turning in this early stage of the offseason.
While the Marlins have been rumored to be interested in adding a first baseman this offseason, there is an argument to be made that they should stick with in-house option Garrett Cooper at the position.
Around Major League Baseball
The Pirates’ search for a new general manager is finally over, as former Red Sox general manager and Blue Jays vice president Ben Cherington has accepted the job.
Players making the league minimum in 2020 will see a slight increase in their paycheck, as the minimum salary will rise from $555,000 to $563,500.
Another change coming for the 2020 season: the minimum length of an IL stint for pitchers will revert back to its previous minimum of 15 games. The change will not apply to position players.
Mike Trout’s third MVP win is just the latest step in his history-making major league career.
MLB.com went through every team and identified one player on each one that it would make sense to trade. There may be some disagreement amongst Mets fans over the player they chose for the Amazins.
Grant Brisbee discussed why it’s so important to not forget about Gabe Kapler’s checkered past off the field as he begins his tenure as the Giants’ new manager (paywall alert).
Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue
Vas Drimalitis made himself miserable by reminiscing about Jeurys Familia’s awful 2019 season.
Steve Sypa concluded his list of the best hitters he saw in the 2019 season by taking a look at shortstop Ronny Mauricio.
This Date in Mets History
Tough call to determine the more significant birthday for this date in Mets history—either Dwight Gooden, who turns 55-years-old today, or the iconic Mets logo, which was unveiled for the first time on this date in 1961.