Mets News and Morning Links 3/29/2021

 

Good Morning.  Happy Birthday Billy Beane and Alex Ochoa. Marlins 10, Mets 2 as they make some final cuts and Steve Cohen has dinner with Francisco Lindor.  

Section Links: Mets Links, MLB Links, and This Day in Mets History.

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Marlins 10 Mets 2 (Box Score) Brandon Nimmo 1 for 4, HR, run scored, RBI; Francisco Lindor SS 0 for 3 with a walk; Michael Conforto RF 2 for 4, 1K; Dominic Smith 1B 0 for 2, 1 K; J.D. Davis 3B 0 for 2, 1 walk, 1 K; Luis Guillorme 2B 1 for 3 with a K; James McCann C 0 for 3; Albert Almora jr. CF 1 for 4, 2 Ks; Mike Montgomery (L, 1-1) 2.2 innings, 6 hits, 5 runs – all earned, 1 walk, 2 Ks, 1 HR; Ryley Gilliam 1/3 inning, no runs, 1 hit.  Jeurys Familia 1 inning, 3 hits, 1 run – earned, no walks; Miguel Castro 1 inning, 1 run on 1 hit HR, no walks, 1 K; Dellin Betances 1 inning, no hits, no walks, no runs; Edwin Diaz 1 inning, 4 hits, 3 runs – all earned, no walks, 3 Ks; Arodys Vizcaino 1 inning, no runs, 1 walk, 1 K.   

Mets play their last 2021 Spring Training game today at 12:05.  Taijuan Walker on the mound for the Mets.

Just Francisco Lindor doing Francisco Lindor things 🙌 pic.twitter.com/rXrOet1Uic

— SNY (@SNYtv) March 28, 2021

Brandon Nimmo cracks a solo homer to right-center 💥 💥 💥 pic.twitter.com/llE5JoKrtD

— SNY (@SNYtv) March 28, 2021

Mets have told Robert Gsellman he’s on the Opening Day roster.

— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) March 29, 2021

For those asking: the Mets would have owed Montgomery $2.25 million had he made the team, which surely played a role in this decision. A small price had Montgomery distinguished himself, but a larger consideration after today's outing left him with a 5.06 spring ERA.

— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) March 29, 2021

Tim Healey Newsday: The Mets released veteran lefthander Mike Montgomery on Sunday night, one in a series of roster moves that brought the final details of the Opening Day roster into focus. The Mets have 31 players remaining in major-league camp, which ends Monday, and five of them are injured, leaving the team with the requisite 26-man roster. That suggests Jacob Barnes and Robert Gsellman, both on the bubble, have won bullpen jobs, though the Mets haven’t officially acknowledged as much.

As we had yesterday on Mack’s Mets: “LHP Jerry Blevins, RHP Jerad Eickhoff, catcher Caleb Joseph, infielder JoséPeraza, outfielder Mallex Smith and RHP Arodys Vizcaíno have been notified that they will not be on the Opening Day roster. Additionally, LHP Stephen Tarpley has been optioned to the Triple-A roster.”

Earlier this spring, Jerry Blevins said he was unsure if he would retire or go to the Mets' alternate site in the event he did not make the Opening Day roster.

Blevins has decided to go to the alternate site. The 13-year veteran had a 3.18 ERA this spring.

— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) March 28, 2021

I'll be going to (and living in) Brooklyn to report to the alternate site. I feel great. My body and my arm have responded beyond my expectations. Hope to see you all in Queens soon! #LGM #nothingbutlove

— Jerry Blevins (@jerryblevins) March 28, 2021

NY Post: Francisco Lindor dines with Steve Cohen as massive Mets contract looks promising. “Cohen joked about the dinner on Twitter, saying “the ravioli wasn’t very good” and offering that Lindor ordered chicken parm.”

"I just knew they were going to go and they went"

Luis Rojas responds to a report that Steve Cohen and Francisco Lindor met for dinner last night: pic.twitter.com/9eMLLzMJiO

— SNY (@SNYtv) March 28, 2021

Anthony DiComo Mets.com: Player who opened eyes – “Much like in 2019, when Alonso dominated the Grapefruit League en route to a 53-homer rookie season, the first baseman again demonstrated his muscle throughout Spring Training. Alonso hit three homers and four doubles over his first 10 games, often going to the opposite field with prodigious power -- and all that after he failed to hit a single home run last spring.”

John Harper SNY.TV: 10 bold predictions for 2021 MLB season. Here’s a few: 6. Francisco Lindor Signs Extension, Wins Gold Glove; 4. Jacob deGrom, Gerrit Cole Win Cy Young Awards; 3. Mets Earn Second Wild Card, Lose to Padres; 1. Padres Win It All.

Mike Puma NY Post: Mike Piazza to take on bigger role with Mets.  “It’s expected Piazza will help grow the Mets’ brand and profile while also dabbling in team heritage, community relations and sponsor relationships as well as maintaining a connection with the players.”

Luis Rojas talks about Mike Piazza taking on more of a role in the Mets' organization:

"I'm just mad at him because he didn't come the next day, we won that day he was in the dugout and he didn't show up the next day" 🤣 🤣 pic.twitter.com/qyxeX7kZ5K

— SNY (@SNYtv) March 28, 2021

James McCann on acclimating to the Mets' pitching staff:

"I feel good. I like where we're at." pic.twitter.com/hx68zgSAEo

— SNY (@SNYtv) March 28, 2021

NY Post: Mets’ Jeff McNeil isn’t taking his shaky spring lightly. “[Manager Luis] Rojas added that McNeil wasn’t as “preloaded” at the plate as usual, allowing him a good release and better contact. The manager said he’s seen a better approach from McNeil in the last week.”

SportSpyder Mets Links: 

MLB and SportSpyder NL East and MLB Links:

Some of yesterday's Spring Training Highlights:

Daz Cameron and Niko Goodrum putting on a defensive clinic in the #Tigers' outfield on Sunday: pic.twitter.com/ba1xNorweC

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 28, 2021

.@yungjoc650 has 8 homers this spring. 👀 pic.twitter.com/h2G0HJ0Tux

— MLB (@MLB) March 28, 2021

441 ft. His 7th of the spring.@coreyseager_5 is ready.

(MLB x @flonase) pic.twitter.com/Cd9kokq85E

— MLB (@MLB) March 29, 2021

Oneil Cruz with the snag and the style points for #Pirates: pic.twitter.com/H9zcrwGXeQ

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 28, 2021

Here is yesterday's Spring Training Scoreboard.

MLB.com:

• One bold prediction for all 30 teams
• Lindor, Mets owner dine ('ravioli wasn't good')
• 11 things to look forward to on Opening Day 
• Ranking the 10 best rotations for 2021
• Should Tatis tone it down? Machado says no
• Yanks set rotation: Cole, Kluber, Germán
• Injuries: Voit, Springer, Ray, Kyle Lewis
• These 5-tool teams offer complete package
• Phils option Kingery, Romero to Triple-A

MLB Trade Rumors:

• Twins To Sign Randy Dobnak To Five-Year Extension
• Angels Option Ty Buttrey, Sign Noe Ramirez
• Minor MLB Transactions: 3/28/21
• Phillies To Select Ronald Torreyes, Release C.J. Chatham
• Offseason In Review: Kansas City Royals
• Royals Option Nicky Lopez

Yahoo Sports:

• A fantasy player to avoid from every MLB team
• Detroit Tigers game vs. New York Yankees: How to follow Monday's matchup
• Angels open Freeway Series in dramatic fashion vs. Dodgers
• Who will be the Dodgers' No. 5 starter? Dave Roberts says decision is coming
• Mets to keep RHP Robert Gsellman on Opening Day roster
• Yankees' Corey Kluber ready for regular season start: 'It's exciting and I'm looking forward to it'
• Highly regarded prospect Jazz Chisholm wins Marlins’ 2B job
• Madison Bumgarner gets Opening Day start on mound for Diamondbacks
• What White Sox arm Michael Kopech told Eloy Jiménez about injury recovery
• Giants prospect Heliot Ramos wins team award for stellar spring camp

ESPN:

• The unavoidable areas of concern for some of MLB's top contenders
• Jazz age: Marlins prospect Chisholm wins 2B job
• Bumgarner gets nod to start opener for D-backs

FOX Sports:

• Royals option Nicky Lopez to Triple-A
• Mondesi, O'Hearn go deep as Royals beat Rockies 6-3
• Bullpen struggles in late innings as Cardinals fall 11-3 to Nationals

CBS Sports:

• Francisco Lindor extension rumors: Mets owner Steve Cohen meets with shortstop to discuss deal
• Twins, right-hander Randy Dobnak agree on five-year extension, per report
• What milestones could be hit in 2021 MLB season? Miguel Cabrera, Max Scherzer closing in on big numbers

SportsSpyder:

Today in Mets History Per Ultimatemets.com: 

Born Today:

• Tommy Holmes (1917)
• Billy Beane (1962)
• Eric Gunderson (1966)
• Alex Ochoa (1972)
• Scott Atchison (1976)

Died on this date:

• Rusty Staub (2018)

Transactions:

New York Mets traded J. C. Martin to the Chicago Cubs for Randy Bobb on March 29, 1970.

New York Mets traded Leo Foster to the Boston Red Sox for Jim Burton on March 29, 1978.

New York Mets released Lenny Randle on March 29, 1979.

New York Mets traded Jody Johnston and Steve Walker to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Mark Bradley on March 29, 1983.

New York Mets traded Juan Acevedo to the St. Louis Cardinals for Rigo Beltran on March 29, 1998.

New York Mets released Joe Orsulak on March 29, 1998.

New York Mets released Rich Rodriguez on March 29, 2001.

New York Mets signed free agent Kelly Stinnett on March 29, 2005.

New York Mets traded Eddie Kunz to the San Diego Padres for Allan Dykstra on March 29, 2011.

Mack’s Blast From The Past comes from 3-29-18 – Gary McDonald – Goodbye Rusty.

Good Morning @Mets fans! It’s Monday, March 29. We start the week on a somber note. On this day three years ago Rusty Staub passed away. He was 73. #MetsRewind #LGM #LeGrandOrange pic.twitter.com/Ru9oEUld6X

— @MetsRewind (@metsrewind) March 29, 2021

Centerfield Maz:

• Remembering Mets History (1996) Mets Have Their Biggest Opening Day Comeback
• Alex Ochoa: Mid Nineties Mets Outfielder (1995-1997)
• Remembering Mets History (1996) Alex Ochoa Hits For the Cycle

Click here for the full list of Mack's MLB Draft Scouting Reports.        

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