Morning Briefing: Marcus Stroman Announces Number Change

Good morning, Mets fans!

Latest Mets News

After announcing in October that he will no longer wear number 7 in order to preserve the legacy of former Mets shortstop, Jose Reyes, Marcus Stroman has decided on a new number. He will wear number 0 starting in 2020 as announced on his Twitter account.

Pat Mahomes, former Mets pitcher from 1999-2000, spoke with the Mets Head of Alumni Relations, Jay Horowitz, about his football star son who still is a Mets fan to this day in his latest Mets Alumni podcast.

Latest MLB News

Independent journalist, Rob Arthur, tracked when and how the Astros utilized their sign-stealing strategy during both the regular and postseason, and he has the data to prove it.

Baseball America executive editor, Matt Eddy, revealed that minor league park factors now will factor into stats for minor league baseball players. Percentile scores will now put parks in context with relation to all minor league ballparks.

Jason Mackey, Pittsburgh Pirates beat writer for PGSportsNow, reported that Ben Cherington is the new general manager for Pirates.

Bob Nightengale of Sports Now revealed that the MLB is increasing the minimum salary for 2020 from $555,000 to $563,500.

In 2020, pit hers will now have to utilize the 15-day injured list. This will prevent teams from changing their rosters according to injured list times, as reported by Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

The Chicago Cubs have initiated extension talks with All-Star shortstop, Javier Baez.

Latest on MMO/MMN

John Sheridan wrote about Jacob deGrom and his extended list of awards that are quickly approaching Hall of Fame territory.

Sheridan also wrote a free agent profile for Russell Martin who just became a free agent after playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers last year.

Michael Mayer continues MMO’s MLB Rumor Roundup with information on position players Marcell Ozuna and Nicholas Castellanos, and starting pitchers, Zack Wheeler, Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg, and Jon Gray as well as other major free agents on the market.

Mayer also discussed the success of SS prospect Andres Gimenez, as well as the plethora of relief pitchers who were sent to the Arizona Fall League to represent the New York Mets.

Violeta Pietronico posted the latest Mets 2019 report card for Edwin Diaz.