Good morning, Mets fans.
Fernando Valenzuela, the legendary Mexican pitcher who dominated the 1980s, has passed away, the Dodgers announced Tuesday night. He was 63. Valenzuela’s career took off in 1981 when he won both the National League Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Award. Armed with a devastating screwball and unique personality, he inspired “Fernandomania.” Throughout his 17-year career, he inspired many, leaving a legacy that will last beyond our lifetimes.
Furthermore, this terrible news comes just a few hours after ABC mentioned that there will be a mural commemorating him in Boyle Heights. Rest in peace, Fernando.
Latest Mets News
Right-hander Paul Blackburn underwent a CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) leak repair in Los Angeles on Tuesday, according to the Mets. His recovery time of 4-5 months should allow him to return before Opening Day, but anything is possible with injuries. This season, the 30-year old gave New York 24 1/3 innings, pitching to a 5.18 ERA. His potential return could end up influencing David Stearns’ offseason decisions, since Mets currently only have David Peterson, Kodai Senga (5 1/3 innings in reg. season) and Tylor Megill penciled into their 2025 rotation.
Mets infielders Pablo Reyes, Eddy Alvarez and Joe Hudson all elected free agency Tuesday, per MiLB.com’s transaction log. All had been outrighted earlier this month and had sufficient service time, so it wasn’t surprising to see them hit the open market. Of the three, only Alvarez actually collected any plate appearances at the major league level. He went 0-for-11 with a walk.
Latest MLB News
New St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom made his first big move: hiring away director of player development Rob Cerfolio from the Guardians. Cerfolio, 32, helped Cleveland to build their farm system to one that is now ranked fourth in the majors, per MLB.com. That indicates a move in the right direction for the Cardinals. After their disappointing 2024, the Redbirds have now missed the playoffs twice in a row after making it there in four consecutive seasons (2019-2022).
In other news from the Cards, they have appointed Brant Brown as their new hitting coach and added beloved World Series winner Jon Jay to the coaching staff as well. Additionally, Cardinals legend Willie McGee will take on a new role as special assistant to the president of baseball operations.
Elsewhere in the NL Central, the Milwaukee Brewers officially named Al LeBoeuf lead hitting coach and Eric Theisen hitting coach. Both have spent many seasons down in the Brewers’ minor league system – 15 full years for LeBoeuf. However, neither has seen time as a major league coach.
The Chunichi Dragons of the NPB have posted southpaw Shinnosuke Ogasawara, according to Yahoo Japan. Ogasawara broke into the league at 18, and has pitched in the better part of nine NPB seasons. His 3.12 ERA in 2024 and somewhat young age should at the very least get him a mid-tier MLB deal. Since Ogasawara is older than 25 and has over six years of NPB service time, he is allowed to pursue a contract at whatever value he desires. As a reminder, under the posting rules initiated in 2019, the former NPB club can receive various percentages of the player’s final contract value.
Latest on MMO
Dom Barone reviewed the St. Lucie Mets’ 2024 season.
David Melendi offered recommendations on the Mets’ pending free agents.
Sam Neumann admired Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns.
On This Date in Mets History
2008: Despite playing the entire 2007 season in the minors, Fernando Tatís Sr. swatted 11 homers for the Mets. He would win 2008’s MLBPA’s National League Comeback Player of the Year.
Born On This Date: Randy Tate (1952), Al Leiter (1965), Kazuo Matsui (1975).
