Morning Briefing: MLB Announces MLB Draft League

Good Morning, Mets fans, and welcome to the last month of 2020!

Latest Mets News

Per Bob Nightengale, Veteran reliever, Jacob Barnes, who was eligible for salary arbitration, signed a one-year, $750,000 contract with $100,000 in incentives with the Mets. He was claimed by the Mets on waivers in October. The deadline is 8PM Wednesday for teams to tender contracts to players.

Per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, former Met, Ron Darling is serving as a celebrity ambassador today in a trading event to benefit Tuesday’s Children, the organization formed in the wake of 9/11 to help families affected by terrorism, military conflict, or mass violence.

Per Metsmerized’s Michael Mayer, Mets Owner, Steve Cohen is making another investment, in the hobby world, as he’s part of a group buying Collectors Universe/PSA.

Per Jared Diamond of The Wall Street Journal, in a moment of serious retrenchment across the baseball industry, Steve Cohen and the Mets have emerged as the most fascinating team in the sport this Winter.

Per Joel Sherman of the New York Post, Chris Young has pulled out of consideration to be the Mets General Manager, citing family reasons.

Per Rotoworld Baseball, the Mets are continuing to pursue outfielder, George Springer.

Per Bob Nightengale, the Mets have informed veteran bench coach, Hensley Meulens he won’t be back on their staff for 2021.

Latest MLB News

Per Ken Rosenthal of MLB on FOX and The Athletic, free-agent left-handed pitcher, Mike Minor has made an agreement with the Kansas City Royals, pending a physical.

Per Jon Heyman of MLB Network, Kris Bryant is a target of the Washington Nationals, but the Nationals are determined to keep Rutledge and Cavalli. Heyman mentioned on Monday on MLB Network that despite speculation, Bryant will be tendered a contract by the Chicago Cubs on tender/nontender day Wednesday. Other teams that fit for Bryant, include the Mets, Giants, and Blue Jays.

Per Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Josh Byrnes, senior vice president of baseball operations for the Dodgers has formally interviewed with the Phillies for their General Manager opening. Byrnes was a general manager with the Diamondbacks and Padres before joining the Dodgers.

Per Jon Heyman, James McCann has received interest from the Yankees, Mets, Cardinals, and Angels in addition to the White Sox. The Phillies are also believed to be interested if they lose JT Realmuto. McCann is coming into his own with a .144 OPS plus last year. The White Sox like him, but realistically, he’s a starter.

MLB, Prep Baseball, and five teams in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and New Jersey have announced a new MLB Draft League for Draft-eligible prospects.

Per Jon Morosi and MLB Network, Tomoyuki Sugano is the name to watch coming over from Japan this winter via the posting process.

PER MLB Communications, in 2021, the Pioneer League will become an independent professional MLB Partner League, providing high-quality baseball to the states of ID, MT, UT & CO. All eight teams will continue participating in the league and maintain their existing names and brands.

The Kansas City Royals have signed outfielder, Michael Taylor to a one-year contract.

The Washington Post released an article discussing how and why Spencer Kieboom quietly walked away from Major League Baseball in 2019.

Per Bob Nightengale, the Miami Marlins have acquired veteran reliever, Adam Cimber from the Cleveland Indians for cash. In turn, the Marlins designated right-handed pitcher, Jose Urena for assignment.

Per Ken Rosenthal, free-agent left-handed pitcher, Robbie Erlin has agreed to a one-year contract with the Nippon Ham Fighters of Japan’s Pacific League, a source told The Athletic. Erlin, 30, spent last season with the Pirates and Braves, and has a 4.85 career ERA in 339 2/3 major-league innings.

Latest on MMO

Matt Musico wrote an opinion column on the Mets facing a critically important platform Year.

Steve Schaeffler wrote a 2020 Mets Report Card on Luis Guillorme.

Eric Belyea discussed the Mets’ interest in catcher, James McCann.

Rob Piersall discusses Chris Young bowing out of the Mets’ General Manager Contention.

Rob Piersall discusses the Mets reportedly pursuing outfielder, George Springer.

The Pleasant Good Evening Podcast records Episode 14, titled, “There’s nothing to Talk about, but We Tried Anyway.”

Tim Ryder discusses the Mets parting ways with Bench Coach, Hensley Meulens.

On This Day in Mets History

1998: The Mets sign 31 year-old Gold Glove third baseman Robin Ventura (.263, 21, 91) to a four-year, 32 million dollar free-agent deal. The former White Sox infielder joins two-time Gold Glove shortstop Rey Ordonez, Edgardo Alfonzo, shifted from the hot corner to second, and first baseman John Olerud to make up one of the best fielding infields in history according to Sports Illustrated. 

1998: Due to the acquisition of All-Star backstop Mike Piazza, the Mets deal fan favorite Todd Hundley, along with right-hander Arnold Gooch, to the Dodgers for outfielder Roger Cedeno and catcher Charles Johnson. New York then sends Johnson to Baltimore to obtain closer Armando Benitez.

2000: Turk Wendell, who wears uniform number 99, agrees to a three-year deal worth $9,999,999.99 with the Mets. The New York reliever had asked that his pact include an option year in which he would play for free, but that plan was unworkable because baseball’s collective bargaining agreement sets a $200,000 minimum salary.

Birthdays: Greg McMichael (54), Julio Machado (55), Herm Winningham (59), Tom Filer (64), Dan Schatzeder (66), George Foster (72)

Let’s go Mets!