FanGraphs ranked what they believed were the ten best deals of the offseason. Taking the top spot at No. 1 was the Washington Nationals who acquired Denard Span from Minnesota for what they say was one A-Ball pitching prospect who may or may not be able to stick in the rotation long term. Ranked at No. 5 was this deal: The Mets acquire Travis d’Arnaud, Noah Syndergaard, John Buck, and Wuilmer Becerra from Toronto. As I said above, I like this deal [...]

While talking to reporters at a luncheon at Citi Field, Sandy Alderson said that the future of the Mets is almost at hand and that they can become very competitive, very soon with just a move or two. “We’re getting to the point where we can be in the mix,” Alderson said on Monday. “I don’t want anybody to believe this is a long-term project that has no possible realization anytime soon. We’re at the [...]

Updated 2/4 ESPN’s Keith Law has ranked the Mets’ farm system at No. 14 in baseball. Law writes: The R.A. Dickey trade really boosted their system, and several Latin American arms had strong years in 2012 to bolster the system’s total value. First-rounder Gavin Cecchini could move quickly for a prep kid, as he’s pretty advanced for a teenager and doesn’t have much blocking him at shortstop. Among other NL East teams, the Miami Marlins are ranked 16th, Atlanta Braves 20th,Washington Nationals 21st [...]

Baseball America announced their 2013 Preseason College All-America Team. BA annually polls major league scouting directors to vote on the team and make their selections based on performance, talent and professional potential. In the past, the preseason All-America team has been a predictor both of the first round of the draft. For example, nine of the 15 draft-eligible members of last year’s first team became first-round picks last June, two others were supplemental first-rounders, and all [...]

According to a report by Bill Madden, Christian Red and Teri Thompson of the New York Daily News, Alex Rodriguez’s Yankees career could be over. Alex Rodriguez is unlikely to ever wear the pinstripes again, sources familiar with the Yankees’ situation with their troubled third baseman told the Daily News, no matter what happens regarding new allegations that he is again involved with performance-enhancing drugs. According to numerous baseball sources, the hip surgery Rodriguez is now recovering from [...]

I just finished reading Mark Simon’s latest post on ESPN New York entitled, Top 5: Best Mets Teams. It’s a fascinating series he’s been working on this month, and I’ve enjoyed each of his segments, particularly this one. You should check it out. We all know how powerful that 1986 Mets team was, as they literally pulverized any team that got in there way on their way to a 108 win season. There’s no argument that [...]

Updated By Craig Lerner on 1/23 The plot keeps thickening as Adam Rubin reports the following: A reliable major league source with knowledge of the Mets’ plans would not dismiss the possibility outfielder Michael Bourn could end up with the team. The Mets have a glaring need in their outfield. Currently, Lucas Duda is slated to play left field, with Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Collin Cowgill platooning in center field. Until another addition is made, Mike Baxter and Andrew Brown would appear the two logical candidates to pencil [...]

Jonathan Mayo ranked the top ten right-handed pitching prospects and the Mets, not surprisingly, had Zack Wheeler check in at No. 4 and Noah Syndergaard at No. 10. Of the pitchers on the 2012 list of the Top 10 right-handed pitchers, six pitched in the big leagues. One finished fifth in American League Rookie of the Year Award voting. This year’s Top 10 right-handed pitchers list has seven repeat performers, with a trio of newcomers. Eight of [...]

This was published over three months ago on Mets.com, but I thought it was a good way to review where we left off as we get set for a new Mets minor league season. Here’s a positional review of last season’s positional all-stars. C – Cam Maron, Savannah: A 2009 34th-round Draft pick, Maron ranked second among South Atlantic League catchers with a .300 batting average and drew 53 walks while striking out 73 times. The [...]