:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65611962/55737624.jpg.0.jpg)
Meet the Mets
The lengthy managerial search is finally over, as news broke yesterday that the Mets planned to name Carlos Beltran as their next manager. The 42-year-old Beltran, who played with the Amazins from 2005-2011, will become the first Latino manager in franchise history.
With his first chance to pick a manager, Brodie Van Wagenen did not play it safe.
Amongst all the candidates, Beltran was the one who knew the specific challenges that come with being a part of this organization—and he was still willing to face them.
Still, given the tumultuous history between the two parties, it is rather surprising that they both agreed to a reunion.
Ask anybody on the Astros team that Beltran played on in his final season, and they will rave about how invaluable his experience and perspective was.
As one long-tenured center fielder makes his triumphant return to the organization, another departs, as the Mets have officially declined Juan Lagares’s 2020 option, making him a free agent. In addition, Joe Panik and Donnie Hart have rejected assignments to Triple-A, which allows them to hit the free agent market as well.
The Mets are going to need to add a starting pitcher this offseason.
Baseball America released their top 10 prospect list for the Mets heading into 2020, with shortstop Ronny Mauricio claiming the top spot.
Around the National League East
The Nationals’ World Series parade will be held today. There will also be a White House ceremony celebrating the team on Monday, but Sean Doolittle has already announced that he will not be attending and explained his reasoning for doing so.
After watching the 2019 Nationals defy the odds to win the World Series, The Good Phight couldn’t help but compare the team to the 2011 Phillies.
The Braves declined Billy Hamilton’s 2020 option, making him a free agent. The Marlins did the same thing with Starlin Castro.
Around Major League Baseball
The Athletic ranked the top twenty starting pitchers who will be hitting the free agent market.
After the Nationals ended their World Series draught, MLB.com ranked the teams that are most likely to end their own championship draughts in the near future. The Mets are on that list, albeit not as high as one would like them to be.
MLB.com also highlighted every team’s biggest need heading into the offseason. Shockingly, relief pitching was identified as the top priority for the Mets.
Yasmani Grandal and Mike Moustakas both declined mutual options on Friday, making them valuable additions to the free agent market.
Aroldis Chapman may soon be hitting the free agent market as well, as he will reportedly opt out of the remaining two years on his contract if he does not receive an extension from the Yankees.
Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue
Chris McShane discussed the big news of the day, as he reminisced about Beltran’s history with the Mets and noted that his perspective will make him a valuable addition to the clubhouse.
After ranking the eleven best Mets minor league pitchers he saw in 2019, Steve Sypa moved on to the list of the best hitters he saw, beginning with Luke Ritter.
Kory Powell reviewed Todd Frazier’s perfectly cromulent 2019 season, which was likely his last one with the Mets.
The 2019-2020 Amazin’ Avenue Offseason Plan Contest officially began! Start working on your submissions, and begin perusing the ones which have already been posted in the Fanposts!
This Date in Mets History
Three Mets—Jerry Koosman, Jon Matlack, and Tom Seaver—garnered Cy Young votes on this date in 1976, but all three of them went home empty-handed as San Diego’s Randy Jones came away with the award.