Mets News and Morning Links - 12/4/2019

Biggest story yesterday was news that the Mets want to dump bad contracts.

Centering around a Jon Heyman tweet, and Ken Rosenthal article in the Athletic, Metsmerized and the Bleacher Report had how the Mets are thinking about giving up Dom Smith to dump off the Jeurys Familia or Jed Lowrie contracts.  Bleacher Report goes on to say: “With little money to spend, Rosenthal reported that the Mets are considering an in-house concept that would include matching bad salaries with other low-cost players: ‘As the Mets try to clear money for other moves, here's a concept they are considering, according to major league sources: Trading infielder Jed Lowrie and/or reliever Jeurys Familia by packaging him with a low-cost, zero-to-three year player such as first baseman Dom Smith.’”

Mets Daddy put all the blame for the Mets payroll problems on last year’s Robinson Cano trade:  “Robinson Cano Trade May Cost Mets Dominic Smith.”  He goes on to say “The Cano trade has so far meant the Mets do not get to see Jarred Kelenic play in Queens. It has meant the Mets will not be able to just replace Zack Wheeler in the rotation with Justin Dunn while using their money to fill other needs. One of those needs is now the fifth starter spot, and right now, Wheeler is not going to be a part of that equation.”

SNY.TV had a take on the story as well.

Empire Sports Media discussed the possibility and included JD Davis as a possible sacrifice.

Esteemed writes, please stop offering up J.D. Davis in trades.  As noted previously,  “In 2019, JD Davis had the best year in Citi Field’s 11 year history hitting .354 with 16 HRs and 33 RBIs in 206 at bats.  Furthermore, while most Mets hit far better on the road, JD hit almost 100 points less on the road, .260 with 6 HRs and 24 RBIs.  Compare that for instance to Pete Alonso who hit .297 on the road in 2019 to .218 at Citi Field.” 

Mets Daddy also discussed potential Mets target Josh Hader showing how poorly Rob Manfred handled the situation.

The Mets Police thinks Brodie should google. “Josh Hader Tweets”.

Reflections on Baseball says that the quiet Mets winter makes you wonder. “Is the eerie quiet a buildup to something big – or does indecision once again stymie them…”

Reflections on Baseball also says that MLB rules will crush Jeff McNeil’s future earnings.

Meanwhile SNY.TV has how the Reds are in hot pursuit of Zack Wheeler.

The NY Post says that Wheeler is ready to break the bank.

MLB Trade Rumors said the Zack Wheeler bidding already in nine figures. 

The Empire Writes back thinks some former Yanks can help the Mets: Dellin Betances, Austin Romine, and Brett Gardner.

Joel Sherman of the NY Post said that the new free agents may help Mets with their creative strategy.

MLB Trade Rumors broke down the skills of the recently non-tendered pitchers: Hardest Thowers - Blake Treinen, RHP: 96.7; Top Strikeout Arms - Yimi Garcia: 26.7 K%, 9.53 K/9; Fewest Walks - Josh Osich: 5.5 BB/9, 2.00 BB/9; Best Groundball Rates - Alex Claudio: 57.4; Least Hard Contact - Alex Claudio: 30.2.

MLB.com broke down 9 of the recently non-tendered players, potential Mets target Blake Treinen is included.

MLB.com says that the recent Phillies non-tender moves may spark a Joe Giardi – Didi Gregorius reunion.

Mets 360 compares the 2019 Mets to the 1976 Mets that each won 86 games.

Bernie Sanders and Rob Manfred met over proposed minor-league cuts.

The Mets Police has a post comparing past Cubs and Red Sox Baseball Conventions (with lots of pictures and details of those conventions) to the upcoming Mets baseball convention.  Real quick, those are way better than what the Mets plan to do.

In Winter League games last night:

After starting in his last two appearances, Chris Mazza came in relief to pitch two innings and get the win in a Toros Del Este, 8-2 win (box).  He went 2 innings giving up 1 run on 1 hit, no walks, two Ks. 

Entering in the top of the fourth, the first batter reached on an error, then Chris Mazza gave up a single with the runner moving to third, the next batter hit into a double play which allowed the runner to scrore.  Chris struck out former Marlins and Red Sox Hanley Ramirez to end the inning.

In the fifth, Chris faced the minimum with a strikeout and two ground outs.

Overall this winter, Chris Mazza is 1-1, with a 3.38 ERA, 5 games, 10.2 innings, 15 hits, 5 runs, 4 earned runs, 2 walks, 10 Ks. 

As North Jersey.com reported this past summer: “Mazza spent eight long years in the minors before debuting for the Mets earlier this season, then spending more time with the club recently. With all we hear about long bus rides, low pay and the other drawbacks of that not-so-glamorous life, it seems incredible that someone would do it for so long.”

The Mets picked up Chris from the minor league portion of the rule five draft last winter.  In this phase the player is not required to be added to the major league roster.  With the current Mets roster filled at 40, this may be an option for the Mets in next week’s draft.

UltimateMets has this date in Mets History:

Born on this date:

• Tucker Ashford (1954)
• Stan Jefferson (1962)
• Carlos Gomez (1985)

Transactions:

New York Mets traded Jack DiLauro to the Detroit Tigers for Hector Valle on December 4, 1968.

Kansas City Royals signed Dan Schatzeder of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 4, 1990.

Boston Red Sox drafted Joe Crawford from the Mets on December 4, 1995.

New York Mets traded Butch Huskey to the Seattle Mariners for Lesli Brea on December 4, 1998.

New York Mets traded Willie Blair to the Detroit Tigers for Joe Randa on December 4, 1998.

New York Mets signed free agent Gustavo Molina of the Baltimore Orioles on December 4, 2007.

New York Mets signed free agent Raul Casanova on December 4, 2007.

New York Mets signed free agent Henry Blanco of the San Diego Padres on December 4, 2009.

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