Mets Morning News: Cohen to the Top

Meet the Mets

Before his takeover is even official, Steve Cohen has taken to Twitter to ask the fans what they want to see from their new king.

Among the things Cohen responded to or addressed were his desire to win, his desire to do more than just buy the team, a team loyalty program, improvement of the Citi Field experience, a fan being banned from Citi Field, hiring people with large brains, honoring Mets history, becoming a Dunkin Donuts deliveryman, bringing back Old Timers’ Day, a potential Kiner’s Korner-inspired post-game show, additional markers to history around the bases of Shea Stadium in the parking lot, and lowering concession prices.

Following a rocky 2020 campaign, Dellin Betances exercised his player option to stay with the Mets for the 2021 season.

Despite not pitching this season due to fears of COVID, Marcus Stroman was given a qualifying offer by the Mets.

After years of showing up with odd melee weapons, the Mets will no longer be bringing knives to the firefights of free agency.

The New York Post’s free agency preview seems to believe this report as they project the Mets to come home with the crown jewel of the offseason, among others.

Despite the foggy future before us, the Mets are still offering tickets to fans for all 81 home games next season.

Around the National League East

J.T. Realmuto was among the six players extended qualifying offers before Sunday’s deadline.

Talking Chop looked back at the season of totally-not-Dansby-Swanson, Charlie Culberson.

Fish Stripes did the same as they looked back at Sixto Sanchez’s first taste of the major leagues.

In perhaps the most important news of the day, Sean Doolittle and Eireann Dolan have an adorable new dog named Fiadh.

Around Major League Baseball

The finalists for the 2020 BBWAA awards will be announced at 6:00 tonight on MLB Network.

Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright are free agents...that’s it, I’m not saying anything else.

Coming off of a surprisingly effective year offensively, the Orioles picked up Jose Iglesias’ option for 2021.

Freshly-acquired Mitch Moreland will not be returning to San Diego next year as the club declined his option.

JD Martinez will not be leaving his team as he opted into the final two years of his contract with the Red Sox.

Within the division, Giancarlo Stanton won’t be opting out either as he will remain a Yankee for seven more years.

The list of candidates for Red Sox manager includes names such as Don Kelly, Sam Fuld, and Old Friend Alex Cora.

This Date in Mets History

On this date in 1976, no Met went home with the Cy Young Award despite three of them garnering votes.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Christian Romo laid out the case for the Mets to extend Edwin Diaz beyond the limits of his team control.