Mets Morning News: Mets hire Kevin Howard, have three prospects on BP’s top 101

Meet the Mets

The Mets hired Kevin Howard, who had worked as a hitting coordinator for Cleveland, as their farm director. If you’re looking to learn more about Howard, Justin Toscano has you covered.

There are three Mets prospects on this year’s Baseball Prospectus top 101: Ronny Mauricio at 42, Matthew Allan at 79, and Francisco Alvarez at 84.

If you’re wondering why the Mets have not yet signed Brad Hand, SNY’s Andy Martino claims it’s because Hand wants a multi-year deal, which the Mets have been unwilling to do thus far.

Deesha Thosar wrote about the Mets’ options in center field now that George Springer has signed elsewhere.

Amed Rosario and Andrés Giménez were surprised to learn they were traded to Cleveland.

Joel Sherman offers some thoughts on whether the Mets should sign one big free agent—namely Trevor Bauer—or spread money around on several players to improve the team.

SNY posed a question about extending Marcus Stroman and Noah Syndergaard to Gary, Keith, and Ron.

Bradford William Davis wrote about Sandy Alderson’s comments following the firing of Jared Porter and the Mets’ decisions in the vetting process before hiring him.

Around the National League East

The Braves are said to be one of the teams considering catcher J.T. Realmuto, who remains a free agent.

Fish Stripes wonders if there’s any chance the Marlins will reunite with Yusmeiro Petit.

Federal Baseball looks at what the Nationals can realistically expect to get out recent addition Jon Lester.

With Joe Biden having been sworn in as the country’s 46th president, The Good Phight took a look at the Phillies who’ve worn number 46.

Around Major League Baseball

Mark Feinsand took a look at the market for pitcher Trevor Bauer and catcher J.T. Realmuto.

Andy McCullough wrote about the sport’s borderline obsession with the competitive balance tax.

And speaking of the collective bargaining agreement, Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors did a Q&A with a labor lawyer regarding the expiration of baseball’s current CBA after the 2021 season.

Ken Davidoff wonders what might have been if anyone had wanted to hear about Danny Farquhar’s concerns about the Astros’ cheating back in September 2017.

The Brewers named Theresa Lau their assistant athletic trainer/physical therapist as part of their major league staff.

Numerous Hall of Fame voters—now trying to pretend they didn’t know exactly what they were voting for a few weeks ago—are trying to rescind their votes for Curt Schilling after he supported the siege on the capitol on January 6.

The Red Sox have talked to free agent Kiké Hernandez.

Topps made a card out of the Bernie Sanders meme.

Mike Petriello took a shot at objectively ranking the best free agent deals in baseball history, a list that features Randy Johnson’s four-year deal with the Diamondbacks at the top.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Christian Romo wrote about how the Mets’ rotation might look with Joey Lucchesi having been acquired by the team.

This date in Mets history

The Mets traded for Bernard Gilkey on this date in 1996. Gilkey had the best offensive season of his career and one of the best ones in Mets history that year, hitting .317/.393/.562 with 30 home runs, 17 stolen bases, and a 155 OPS+.