Mets Morning News: Begone, Wilpons

Meet the Mets

The day that Mets fans have dreamed of for years has finally arrived, as MLB owners approved the sale of the franchise from the Wilpon family to billionaire Steve Cohen.

While some expected New York City mayor Bill de Blasio to throw a wrench in the potential sale, his office confirmed that the city has no objections to it.

In the end, 26 of the league’s owners voted to approve the sale.

Fred Wilpon provided a final statement thanking the various people who were forced to tolerate the presence of him and his son over the years.

Rob Manfred and Cohen made their own statements about the sale.

The new owner immediately showed off his wealth by announcing plans to reverse the salary cuts that many Mets employees suffered in the wake of the pandemic, while also pledging financial support to various local charitable causes.

Noah Syndergaard welcomed his team’s newest owner by taking a not-so-subtle shot at the departing ones.

With Cohen soon to be in charge, what happens next?

One of the biggest questions is whether or not Brodie Van Wagenen will still have a job with the team, as there are already whispers that the team will have a new president of baseball operations and general manager.

The Mets will have to make a decision soon about whether to offer Marcus Stroman a qualifying offer as he heads to free agency.

While ownership was busy changing hands, the team still found time to claim a pair of relievers off waivers.

Around the National League East

It seems like Phillies interim GM Ned Rice could be sticking around for a while as the club heads into an important offseason.

Philadelphia declined club options on three of their relievers.

The Marlins also let go of a reliever, declining the option of 2020 closer Brandon Kintzler.

The Braves made a slew of roster moves as well, and infielder Charlie Culberson elected to become a free agent.

Around Major League Baseball

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the in-person owners and winter meetings in November and December have been cancelled.

The Orioles could potentially be the next major league franchise to be sold, and some potential bidders are already lining up.

There is a lot of uncertainty about how negotiations for a new long-term collective bargaining agreement between the league and the Players Association will proceed this winter.

The Tigers named former Astros manager AJ Hinch as their new skipper, marking a surprisingly quick forgiveness for a man who is just coming off a year-long suspension for his role in one of the biggest scandals in MLB history.

Hinch may not be the only one to quickly find himself back in the game, as the Red Sox are apparently having conversations with former manager Alex Cora.

The Cubs declined their 2021 option on veteran left-hander Jon Lester, though it is still possible the two could reunite on a less expensive deal.

MLB.com listed one free agent that each team could attempt to re-sign this offseason.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Lukas Vlahos discussed how Cohen’s piles of money could be particularly advantageous this offseason in light of how the COVID pandemic is impacting the finances of other teams.

This Date in Mets History

Tom Seaver won his second of three career Cy Young awards on this date in 1973.