Mets Morning News: RIP Binghamton Rumble Ponies and Kingsport Mets

Meet the Mets

According to reports, as part of MLB’s plan to slash the size of the minor leagues, the Mets will lose both the Binghamton Rumble Ponies and the Kingsport Mets. The Brooklyn Cyclones will become the Mets’ Double-A affiliate.

Former Mets manager Art Howe remains in the hospital fighting COVID-19. He is hoping to be released from the ICU tomorrow. But even as he faces this stress, he is still gracious and willing to help others.

Gary Cohen was a guest on Buster Olney’s podcast for ESPN Baseball Tonight and talked about Pete Alonso’s emergence, Wilmer Flores’ tears, Bartolo Colon’s home run, and more.

Laura Albanese of Newsday takes a look back at what it was like to be in the press box for Game 5 of the 2015 World Series.

Around the National League East

Beating the Astros in the World Series earned the Nationals clout, argues Ryan Homier of MASN.

Like the Mets, the Braves have a roster that may benefit from the use of the universal DH in 2020.

Bryce Harper made a post on Instagram summarizing his proposed plan for the logistics of the 2020 MLB season.

Around Major League Baseball

On Friday night, Major League Baseball submitted a 67-page document to the MLBPA detailing health and safety protocols. Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich of The Athletic break down the highlights of each section, including testing, facilities, travel, and more.

Just some of the provisions contained within the document: Players must wear masks except when on the field and undergo regular testing. Spring training is limited to 50 players per club with staggered reporting dates. Facilities will be limited to essential personnel and practices that risk transmission, such as communal water jugs, spitting, and high-fives/fist bumps will be prohibited.

Danielle Sepulveres argues that MLB’s plan to restart is not worth players putting their health at risk (while taking massive pay cuts to do so).

Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald agrees, criticizing the seemingly knee-jerk reaction on the part of many fans to automatically side with ownership groups.

Alex Rodriguez, on the other hand, feels that players should accept the owners’ terms and take a pay cut for 2020 to have baseball back again.

David Lennon of Newsday feels that the players should be more diplomatic in voicing their concerns over pay.

According to an ESPN report, MLB will lose roughly $640,000 per game without fans.

This Date in Mets History

It’s hard to fathom that on this date just one year ago, Jacob deGrom was pummeled by the Marlins, surrendering nine hits and ending the game with an ERA of 3.98. Remembering deGrom’s struggles early in the season makes what he went on to achieve all the more remarkable.