NEWS AND NOTES DURING THE OFF-SEASON

 

February 7  The Mets signed catcher Devin Mesoraco to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training. If Mesoraco makes the team, he will earn $1.75 million dollars. Devin was with the Mets last season.

 

Pitcher Sean Burnett was signed to a minor league deal.

 

January 25  The Mets signed pitcher Justin Wilson to a two year $10 million dollars contract. Wilson pitched in 72 games with the Cubs last season.

 

January 14  Mel Stottlemyre passed away because of cancer, he was 77. Stottlemyre was team’s Pitching coach from 1984-93, where he won the World Series in 1986. Then he became the Yankees Pitching coach in 1996 where he won 3 more championships.

 

January 11  The Mets have avoided arbitration with all of their arbitration eligible players, each player will get;

 

Jacob deGrom - $17 millions. A record setter raise in arbitration.

Noah Syndergaard -  $6 millions

Michael Conforto - $4.025 millions

Steven Matz - $2.625 millions

Zack Wheeler - $5.975 millions

 

January 10  The Mets signed infielder Jed Lowrie to a 2 year $20 million dollars contract. Coming off his best season, Lowrie hit .267 with 23 hrs and 99 rbis in 157 games with the Athletics. Jed can play anywhere in the infield, but his preferred position is second base.

 

The Mets also signed pitcher Luis Avilan to a minor league contract. Avilan was with the White Sox and Phillies last season.

 

1/3/19 New York Mets signed free agent OF Rymer Liriano to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.

 

1/3/19 New York Mets signed free agent RHP Arquimedes Caminero to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.

 

1/5/19 Milwaukee Brewers traded CF Keon Broxton to New York Mets for RHP Adam Hill, RHP Bobby Wahl and 2B Felix Valerio.

 

1/6/19 New York Mets traded C Kevin Plawecki to Cleveland Indians for RHP Walker Lockett and 2B Sam Haggerty.

 

1/6/19 Houston Astros traded 3B J.D. Davis and SS Cody Bohanek to New York Mets for SS Luis Santana, OF Ross Adolph and C Scott Manea.

 

1/7/19 New York Mets released 3B David Wright.

 

December 22  The Mets signed catcher Travis d’Arnaud to an 1 year $3.515 million dollars contract, avoiding arbitration. D’Arnaud played only 4 games last season because he had Tommy John Surgery.

 

December 21  The Mets signed outfielder Gregor Blanco to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training.

 

December 18  Wilson Ramos is officially a Met.

 

The Mets signed outfielder Rajai Davis to a minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training.

 

December 16  The Mets signed catcher Wilson Ramos to a 2 year contract worth $19 million dollars, with a team option for a third year. The deal is pending a physical. Ramos batted .306 with 15 hrs with the Rays and Phillies last season.

 

December 13  The Mets signed pitcher Jeurys Familia to a 3-year $30 million dollars contract. Familia was with the Mets from 2012-17, then the team traded him to the Athletics last July. Last season Jeurys saved 18 games.

 

The Mets claimed pitcher Kyle Dowdy and Braxton Lee in the Rule 5 Draft.

 

Chili Davis was named as the Hitting Coach.

 

December 3  The trade is official!  Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz are Mets.

 

December 1  The blockbuster trade is done, pending physicals. The Mets are getting 8 time All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano, Major League Baseball saves leader Edwin Diaz, and $20 million dollars. The Mets are giving to the Mariners Jay Bruce, Anthony Swarzak, Gerson Bautista, and prospects Jarred Kelenic and Justin Dunn. Cano batted .303 with 10 hrs and 50 rbis, but he was suspended 80 games due to PED use. Diaz led baseball in saves last season with 57 and he struck out 124 batters in 73.1 innings. His WHIP of 0.79 was the best in 2018. An official announcement is expected Monday.

 

November 30  The Mets tendered catcher Travis d’Arnaud a contract, making him arbitration elgible. Infielder Wilmer Flores was not tendered, making him a free agent. Flores has been in the Mets organization since he was 16

 

The blockbuster trade of Robinson Cano to the Mets could be finalized this weekend.

 

November 29  Dilson Herrera was signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training.

 

Allard Baird was hired as an Assistant GM of scouting and player development. Baird was with the World Champions Red Sox last season.

 

Adam Gutridge was hired as an Assistant GM of Systematic Development.

 

November 26  The Mets hired Jim Riggleman as their Bench Coach.  Riggleman was the interim manager of the Reds last season and he has managed several teams. Jim brings a wealth of knowledge to help Manager Mickey Callaway.

 

Outfielder Jordan Paterson was claimed from the Rockies.

 

November 20  Jenrry Mejia was released after Major League Baseball reinstated him.

 

November 17  Josh Lewin will not return in the radio booth,  he spent 6 years alongside Howie Rose. Rose will continue to be the Voice of the Mets on WCBS-880 as he signed a multiyear contract.

 

November 14  Jacob deGrom won the 2018 National League Cy Young Award unanimously, he received 29 of 30 first place votes. In a historic and Hall of Fame caliber season, deGrom only was 10-9 but had an 1.70 ERA, best in the Majors. Jacob’s other numbers are outstanding as well, a few examples are; he had 29 starts allowing 3 runs or fewer, his WHIP (Walks and Hits per Innings Pitched) was 0.98, and 0.49 with bases loaded. Jacob deGrom is the 4th Mets pitcher to win this award.  Max Scherzer of the Nationals finished 2nd, Aaron Nola of the Phillies was 3rd.

 

The Mets and JP Ricciardi parted ways, ending an 8 year relationship.

 

November 5  The Mets announced they aren’t retaining Hitting coach Pat Roessler. The Mets owned the second worst batting average in the NL and at the bottom in all of the major offensive categories. The Mets also announced the following changes to the coaching staff; Gary Disarcina moved from bench to Third Base, Glenn Sherlock moved from Third to First, Ruben Amaro Jr. moved from First to the Front Office where he spent 8 years with the Phillies. Also Bullpen Coach Ricky Bones is being reassigned in the organization.

 

Jacob deGrom is a Cy Young Award finalist. 

 

October 30  Brodie Van Wagenen became the 13th General Manager in Mets history as he agreed  on a contract with the club. Van Wagenen is switching roles from a player agent to a GM.  Brodie thinks the Mets can win in 2019 with some key acquisitions. Van Wagenen wants to build a positive culture with the Mets and a winning atmosphere. Van Wagenen also said Manager Mickey Callaway will return in 2019.  Brodie said “We will be fearless and relentless in the pursuit of greatness.”

 

October 26  According to Major League Baseball sources, the Mets are about to name Brodie Van Wagenen as their next General Manager. Van Wagenen has been a player agent, he represented such players as Yoenis Cespedes, Jacob deGrom, and Noah Syndergaard. An official announcement could come Monday.

 

Yoenis Cespedes had his second heel surgery today.  He had the first in July and said he felt great after, so hopefully he will feel the same after this one. Cespedes is due back by midseason in 2019.

 

October 4  Baseball Digest unanimously named Jacob deGrom Pitcher of the Year. Hopefully this award is the first of many for deGrom.