OFF-SEASON NEWS AND NOTES

February 7 Jessica Mendoza has resigned as a special advisor to Brodie Van Wagenen. Mendoza wants to concentrate more on her ESPN roles.

The Mets named Brian Schneider as the Quality Control Coach.

February 4 The proposed deal of billionaire Steve Cohen owning 80% of the Mets is falling through, according to a report. Cohen became frustrated when the Wilpons were changing the contract in the final stages.

February 1 The Mets signed Matt Adams to a minor league contract with an invitation to Sprang Training.

Curtis Granderson, who played with the Mets from 2014-17 and led them to the World Series in 2015, announced his retirement from the game.

January 29 The Mets named Luis Rojas as the 23^rd manager of the club. Luis, 38, replaced Carlos Beltran who was fired before he managed a game, because he was involved in the Astros signs stealing scheme. Rojas is the son of Felipe Alou, the former manager of the Expos and Giants. Rojas has been in the Mets organization for 12 years and it is a dream come true to become the Mets manager.

The Mets announced that they elected Edgardo Alfonzo, Ron Darling, Jon Matlick, and Al Jackson into the Mets Hall of Fame.

The Mets signed Eduardo Nunez to a minor league contract with an invitation to Sprang Training.

January 16 The Mets and Carlos Beltran have “mutually parted ways” 3 days after Major League Baseball announced its findings in the Astros signs stealing scandal in 2017. In the report Carlos Beltran was the only player to be included in it. The report said Alex Cora and Beltran were the masterminds behind the signs stealing scheme. When the Mets hired Beltran as their next manager on November 1, they knew nothing about the scandal and after they knew, they asked Carlos about his involvement and he was forthright. Both Carlos Beltran and the Mets felt there will be too many distractions for him to be the best possible manager.

So the Mets are in need of a manager again; some leading candidates are Luis Rojas, Eduardo Perez, and Hensley Muelens.

Meanwhile in Port St. Lucie the Mets and the city announced they have renamed the street in front of their Spring Training facility “31 Piazza Drive” to honor Mike Piazza. Piazza was the greatest Mets catcher and player of all time.

January 9 The Mets signed all of their 8 arbitration eligible players,they are;

Marcus Stroman – 12 millions, Edwin Diaz – 6.1 millions, Michael Conforto – 8 millions, Seth Lugo – 2 millions, Steven Matz – 5 millions, Brandon Nimmo – 2.175 millions, Noah Syndergaard – 9.7 millions, Jake Marisnek – 3.3125 millions

December 24 The Mets signed reliever Dellin Betances to a one year contract that includes a signing bonus and a player option for 2021. Betances missed all but 2 batters in 2019 with arm problems and a partially torn achilles heel. Drafted by the Yankees in 2006, Dellin spent his entire career with them. When he is right Betances is a dominant reliever, he holds a Major League Baseball record by striking out over 100 hitters in his first five seasons.

December 13 The Mets and Yoenis Cespedes have reached an agreement to amend his 2020 salary. Cespedes was to earn $29.5 million dollars in his final year of his contract, now he will earn $10 million dollars but he can make the $20 millions back in performance bonuses. Yoenis signed a 4 year contract in 2017, but he has been injured during most of it.

December 12 The Mets added another starting pitcher Rick Porcello to an one year contract worth $10 million dollars, pending a physical. Porcello was with the Red Sox last season when he had a 5.52 ERA. Rick won the Cy Young Award in 2016.

December 11 The Mets signed Michael Wacha to an one year deal worth $3 millions and it could go up to $7 millions in incentives. Since making the All-Star game in 2015, Wacha has been up and down with the Cardinals.

December 8 The Mets finalized their coaching staff for Manager Carlos Beltran. It is as follow;

Bench Coach – Hensley Muelens, Pitching Coach – Jeremy Hefner, Assistant pitching Coach – Jeremy Accardo, Hitting Coach – Chili Davis, Assistant Hitting Coach – Tom Slater, First Base Coach – Tony DeFrancesco, Third Base Coach/Infield Instructor – Gary Disarcina, Quality Control Coach/Outfield Instructor - Luis Rojas.

December 6 The Mets resigned Brad Brach to an one year contract and designated Chris Flexen for assignment.

December 5 The Mets acquired outfielder Jake Marisnick from the Astros for 2 minor leaguers. Marisnick is an elite centerfielder, whoranked in the top 10 in all defensive categories. Last season he batted .227 and is a career .227 hitter.

December 4 Fred and Jeff Wilpon are negotiating with Steve Cohen, who is an investor and a hedge fund manager, to sell up to 80% of the team. As part of the agreement, Fred and Jeff will remain in their current roles for 5 years. The Wilpons along with Nelson Doubleday bought the Mets in 1980. Then in 2002 they bought out Doubleday to become sole owners.

Zack Wheeler left the Mets for the Phillies.

November 26 Reportedly the Mets will name Jeremy Hefner as the team’s next Pitching Coach. Hefner had been the Twins assistant Pitching Coach for the last 2 years. Jeremy pitched for the Mets from 2012-13 and said he is great at analytics. Phil Regan will remain with the team in the minor leagues.

November 25 According to a report the Mets hired Hensley Muelens as their Bench Coach. Muelens spent the last 9 years as the Bench Coach for his Giants. Before that he was their Hitting Coach. Hensley started his playing career with the Yankees.

November 20 Chasen Shreve was signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training. Shreve is a left-handed pitcher and a former Yankee.

November 13 Jacob deGrom won the Cy Young award for the second consecutive year in a row. deGrom followed up his 2018 Hall of Fame campaign with a stellar 2019 season. Jacob finished with 11 wins with a 2.43 ERA. He struck out 255 batters and had a WHIP of 0.97. Jacob received 29 of 30 votes and he is the first Met to win this award back to back.

The Mets and Hitting coach Chili Davis agreed on a multiyear contract extension.

November 11 Pete Alonso became the 6^th Met to win the National League Rookie of the Year award. He received 29 out of 30 first place votes. Alonso’s 53 home runs is the all time rookie record and is the Mets single season record. Pete finished first in numerous offensive categories.

NOVEMBER 4 The Mets officially introduced Carlos Beltran as their 22^nd manager. Beltran is the first Latino to be a manager or a head coach in New York sports history. Beltran was a Mets player from 2005-11 and hopes to “re-writes their story”.

Pete Alonso is a finalist for the BBWAA National League Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards. Jacob deGrom is a finalist for the National League Cy Young award.

Stephen Gonsalves was claimed off waivers from the Twins.

NOVEMBER 1 The Mets named Carlos Beltran as their 22^nd manager in franchise history. Beltran received a three year contract with a club option for a fourth. Owner Jeff Wilpon and General Manager Brodie Van Wagenen interviewed many candidates including Joe Girardi, who eventually was hired by the Phillies. Beltran got the job mostly because his intelligence for the game and a desire to help the players to succeed. Also, reportedly Carlos requested that former Mets manager, Terry Collins, to be his Bench Coach. An official press conference is expected Monday or early next week.

The Mets declined a team option on Juan Lagares, making him a free agent. Also they let go Joe Panik and Donnie Hall.

OCTOBER 23 The Sporting News named Pete Alonso the National League Rookie of the Year.

OCTOBER 11 Pete Alonso wins the Baseball America’s Rookie of the Year unanimously.

OCTOBER 3 Manager Mickey Callaway was fired after two years with the team, Callaway has a year left on his contract. The Mets made a nine game improvement during Callaway’s 2^nd year, but his in game strategy and an incident with a reporter led to his firing. General Manager Brodie Van Wagenen has an expansive list of names, including Joe Girardi.

Bench Coach Jim Riggleman was also dismissed.