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Meet the Mets
The Mets introduced Carlos Beltran as the 22nd manager in the franchise’s history at a press conference yesterday morning at Citi Field. During the 25-minute event, he thanked the organization for the opportunity and expressed a desire to “rewrite our story”.
Now comes the hard part for the new Mets’ skipper.
Beltran had lunch in October with Omar Minaya and Allard Baird, which put the Mets on a path to hire their former superstar outfielder. (Paywall alert)
Should Beltran ask Terry Collins to be his bench coach, the belief is the former Mets skipper would accept the job.
Beltran said he plans to bring back “a lot of former Mets stars” to work with their young players during spring training.
Buster Olney looked at three things that Beltran must do as manager.
Beltran will serve as a test case for one of baseball’s longstanding biases. (Paywall alert)
In the meantime, Mike Puma looks at some questions Beltran and Brodie Van Wagenen will need to answer heading into next season.
Unsurprisingly, Pete Alonso was named a finalist for the National League Rookie of the Year award, while Jacob deGrom was listed as a finalist for the Cy Young Award after receiving the honor in 2018.
The Mets added Blake Taylor to the 40-man roster and claimed Stephen Gonsalves off waivers from the Twins.
The club extended a qualifying offer to starter Zack Wheeler. If he accepts, he will receive a one-year $17.8 million deal.
Should Wheeler decline the offer, as he is expected to do, Van Wagenen says the team will “still go after him”.
If Wheeler, leaves, the general manager left the door open for Seth Lugo or Robert Gsellman to join the starting rotation.
When asked about free agent superstar third baseman and NL MVP candidate Anthony Rendon, Van Wagenen quickly called attention to the teams’ in-house third base options, including Jed Lowrie, Jeff McNeil, and J.D. Davis.
Despite appearing reluctant to discuss Rendon, Van Wagenen promises that the team has the financial capability to add any free agent they want.
The organization is not sure if Yoenis Cespedes will be healthy enough to play for the club in 2020.
Tim Britton offers a blueprint of how the Mets can build a contender in the National League East. (paywall alert)
Congratulations to Mets’ radio broadcaster Howie Rose, who was inducted into the New York State Baseball Hall of Fame!
Around the National League East
The Nationals visited the White House yesterday following their World Series victory over the Astros.
The Braves re-signed outfielder Nick Markakis to a one-year deal worth $4 million.
On the other hand, the Braves declined Julio Teheran’s option for the 2020 season, making him a free agent.
The Phillies made a bevy of roster moves, including declining club options on Jared Hughes, Pat Neshek, and former Met Jason Vargas. The team also outrighted Jerad Eickhoff, Phil Gosselin, Mike Morin, Blake Parker, and Edubray Ramos, each of whom elected free agency.
The Phillies also reinstated Victor Arano, Seranthony Dominguez, David Robertson, Robert Stock, and Jake Arrieta from the 60-day IL and Odubel Herrera from the restricted list.
The Phillies announced that Arrieta had exercised his player option for 2020.
Around Major League Baseball
Fangraphs took a look at the top 50 free agents and what contracts they may receive.
Ken Davidoff of the NY Post tackled the top 30 free agents and where he thought they would land.
Lindsey Adler looked at the blueprint the Yankees could follow to succeed in 2020.
The Yankees did not extend a qualifying offer to Didi Gregorius.
J.D. Martinez chose not to opt out of his contract with the Red Sox. Martinez stands to earn $62.5 million over the final three years of the deal. He can choose to opt out again after 2020.
The Pirates plan to pick up the option on Chris Archer.
The Twins extended a qualifying offer to Jake Odorizzi.
The Indians activated Danny Salazar, Cody Anderson, Tyler Olson, and A.J. Cole from the IL and outrighted them off the roster.
The Orioles reinstated Alex Cobb from the 60-day IL. Gabriel Ynoa cleared waivers and became a free agent.
The debate for Shoeless Joe Jackson’s Baseball Hall of Fame eligibility rages on.
Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue
Robert Wolff talked about Paul Sewald’s roller coaster season with the Mets.
Steve Sypa continued his countdown of the 11 best Mets minor leaguers he saw in 2019 with Wilmer Reyes coming in at number 10.
Michael Drago covered the team’s decision to extend a qualifying offer to Wheeler.
I recapped the press conference introducing Beltran as the team’s new manager.
This Date in Mets History
On this date in 1990, the Mets lost Darryl Strawberry to the Dodgers. The outfielder signed a five-year deal worth $20.25 million to head west three days after declaring free agency.