Updated 2:54 PM EST

Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times confirms that Major League Baseball’s below-referenced proposal to the Players’ Association includes the adoption of the universal designated hitter for the 2021 season.

Per Shaikin, confirming Brown’s report below, MLBPA union representatives and MLB players are discussing the league’s proposal this weekend.

We’ll continue to update as more information becomes available.

Original Post

According to Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports, Major League Baseball has made a new proposal to the MLB Players’ Association with regards to the 2021 season and the ongoing battle to control the spread of COVID-19 and offer players and staff a safe environment to return to work.

Per Brown, on Friday the league “proposed to the union a 154-game schedule with full pay, delayed by a month and extended by a week”, adding that the previously debated issue of expanded postseason play was included in the proposal.

The union is reportedly mulling the offer.

Last week, the Arizona Cactus League sent a letter to MLB indicating their concerns regarding a noticeable uptick in COVID cases across the region, and its coinciding with the start of Arizona-based spring training camps in mid-February and advising a delay to the opening of camps.

The letter — reportedly procured by MLB themselves (Alex Coffey, The Athletic) in an attempt to delay the season until fans can safely attend, in turn increasing revenue — was met with hesitance from the MLBPA regarding the league’s inability to unilaterally make these calls, also noting “MLB has repeatedly assured us that it has instructed its teams to be prepared for an on-time start”.

Between safe scheduling and the still-undecided fate of the universal designated hitter, there is plenty left to square away before pitchers and catchers are set to report to spring training.

We’ll keep you posted.

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Updated 11:15 EST

Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that the Mets are not currently one of the teams in the Nolan Arenado sweepstakes. Mets Team President Sandy Alderson has mentioned third base as a position the Mets could upgrade this offseason.

As it stands, J.D. Davis would currently be the Mets starter most days at third base. With Luis Guillorme as another option at the position. The Mets have also signed former Yankees infielder Brandon Drury as depth.

Original Post

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic and Jon Heyman of MLB Network (separate reports), potential trade partners for Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado are beginning to reveal themselves.

Per Rosenthal late Thursday evening:

“The Cardinals are in discussions with the Rockies about a deal that would bring the five-time All-Star third baseman to St. Louis, according to major-league sources. No deal appears close, and the other players who might be involved are not known.”

Heyman notes the Braves as having “checked in” on Arenado, but concedes Atlanta’s bid is “probably a long shot” considering the astronomic return Colorado is likely seeking for their franchise player and the Rockies’ unwillingness to “eat much money”.

In December, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported that the Rockies were hoping to engage the New York Mets on a potential deal, though no confirmed traction on a deal has been reported since.

Arenado, 29, is entering the third season of an eight-year, $260 million deal he signed with Colorado ahead of the 2019 season. He has an opt-out built into his contract after the 2021 season.

After putting up video game numbers over the better part of five seasons (.300/.362/.575, 199 home runs, 190 doubles, 128 wRC+, 27 fWAR from 2015 through 2019), Arenado experienced a noticeable dip in production last year.

Over 201 plate appearances for the Rockies in 2020, the five-time NL All-Star and eight-time NL Gold Glove Award recipient hit .253/.303/.434 with eight homers and nine doubles (76 wRC+).

Arenado’s stats playing away from hitter-friendly Coors Field in Denver have been a prominent talking point throughout his career (.322/.376/.609, 136 HR, 128 wRC+ at home versus .263/.322/.471, 99 HR, 108 wRC+ on the road).

Since 2002, the Rockies have stored their baseballs in an on-site humidor in an attempt to negate the effect their stadium sitting nearly a mile above sea level does to a well-struck baseball.

Mike Petriello of MLB.com touched on Arenado’s struggles away from home earlier this offseason. Worth a read.

We’ll keep you posted as new information becomes available.

The post Sherman: Mets Not Involved in Nolan Arenado Trade Discussions appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

With the trade of Steven Matz to the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday night, the New York Mets now presumably turn to left-hander Joey Lucchesi to fill that gap in the back of the team’s rotation.

Acquired in a three-team deal with the Padres and Pirates earlier this offseason, the 27-year-old former fourth-round draft pick is an intriguing player.

With four years of team control to his name and a ceiling arguably just as high if not higher than Matz’s, the California product could be a quiet but strong addition for the Mets.

In his rookie campaign of 2018, Lucchesi’s 4.08 ERA over 26 starts with San Diego ranked 12th among qualified rookie starters and his 10.04 strikeouts and 2.98 walks per nine were good for eighth and 15th, respectively, among the same group. Promising.

Over 30 starts the following season, his ERA mostly stood pat (4.18), and his strikeout and walk rates both decreased a bit (8.69 K/9, 3.08 BB/9), but Lucchesi more than doubled his wins above replacement, putting up 2.1 fWAR compared to the 1.0 he racked up in his rookie year.

It says a lot when a young pitcher can withstand the pressures of the league inevitably getting a book on him after a solid start in the show. We love to see it, in fact.

Equipped with a pair of deceptive fastballs and a unique signature out pitch (his self-developed churve, a curveball with a circle-change grip), Lucchesi has the arsenal to keep hitters off-balance which, of course, is the name of the game.

He won’t overpower opposing batters (both the sinker and cutter sit around 90 MPH, top out at 92-93), but he certainly will keep you guessing.

In the video below, notice how well Lucchesi hides the ball throughout his delivery.

Paul Goldschmidt would normally have no issue taking this ball down the line in right field. Though, with duplicity on his side, Lucchesi can afford to take perceived chances.

As we’ve been hearing more and more with the advancements being made in pitch design (read up on seam-shifted wake), MLB hitters are apparently quite adept at picking up the spin on pitches, affording them a split-second to adjust accordingly.

But when Lucchesi mixes up his sinker and cutter efficiently, that advantage — no matter how slight — is arguably negated.

Per Statcast, Lucchesi’s sinker and cutter have identical spin directions of 10:45 (think of the minute hand on a clock at 10:45; that’s the axis the ball is spinning on).

In the images below (2019 metrics), check out how both Lucchesi’s sinker and cutter generally end up in two different locations despite appearing to be the same pitch, spin-wise. Baseball-nerdy goodness, right?

Mix in that hybrid concoction of a pitch he came up with, and Lucchesi’s repertoire has the potential to be downright dastardly.

In 2019, Joey Fuego’s fabled churve was an absolute weapon, holding hitters to a .183 batting average against, .239 weighted on-base average, .327 slugging percentage against, and a 38.6% whiff rate. Just a nasty pitch.

Under the tutelage of the analytically-minded Mets coaching staff — notably pitching coaches Jeremy Hefner, Jeremy Accardo, and Ricky Meinhold — Lucchesi’s next level could theoretically be there for the unleashing.

And with a clear path at the Mets’ fifth rotation spot and the organizational infrastructure in place to actually develop his talent further, Lucchesi could be arriving in Flushing at a most opportune time.

The post In Steven Matz’s Departure, Joey Lucchesi’s Time Arrives appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Per Andy Martino of SNY, the New York Mets will be in attendance for right-hander Jake Arrieta‘s workout for interested teams in Austin, Texas on Friday.

Arrieta, 34, is far removed from his 2015 National League Cy Young Award-winning campaign (1.77 ERA, 236 strikeouts, 48 walks, 0.87 WHIP) but would still slot in as a viable back-end option in most rotations.

Since 2017, Arrieta has seen his ERA increase on a yearly basis (3.53, 3.96, 4.64, 5.08). Since the start of 2019, the righty has a combined 4.75 ERA with 142 strikeouts, 67 walks, and 1.48 WHIP (94 ERA+). Arrieta’s three-year, $75 million deal with Philadelphia expired last season.

Whether teams come away impressed and he lands a quick deal a la Corey Kluber landing with the Yankees or Arrieta’s market remains stagnant into the opening of camps is to be determined.

We’ll keep you posted with new information as it becomes available.

The post Mets Will Be in Attendance for Jake Arrieta’s Workout appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Updated 9:49 PM EST

Per Jeff Passan of ESPN, the New York Mets are in agreement with the Toronto Blue Jays on a deal to send left-handed starter Steven Matz to the Jays in exchange for a trio of players.

Robert Murray of FanSided confirmed that 22-year-old right-hander Josh Winckowski is headed back to New York in the deal.

Winckowski was a 15th-round draft pick of the Jays in 2016. Over 24 appearances (23 starts; 127.1 innings) between Advanced-A Dunedin and Single-A Lansing in 2019, the Florida product pitched to a 2.69 ERA with 108 strikeouts, 43 walks, and 1.20 WHIP.

Ben Nicholson-Smith of SportsNet Canada filled out the rest of the Mets’ return shortly thereafter, adding right-hander Sean Reid-Foley (1.35 ERA in six MLB appearances last season; 4.40 ERA since 2018) and 24-year-old right-hander Yennsy Diaz (3.84 ERA over 96 MiLB appearances; 481 innings).

We will keep you posted with new information as it breaks.

Original Post

According to Mike Mayer of Metsmerized, the New York Mets are “making traction” on a potential deal to trade left-hander Steven Matz.

Matz, 29, was a second-round pick of the Mets (72nd overall) in the 2009 draft out of Ward Melville High in East Setauket, NY.

Since making his debut in 2015, Matz has shown flashes of frontline stuff and has dealt with bouts of inconsistency, holding a 4.35 ERA (4.49 FIP) with 5.2 total wins above replacement (FanGraphs) in his career.

Matz’s second half in 2019 was arguably his high-water mark with New York, pitching to a 3.52 ERA over his final 14 starts, including a terrific stretch that saw him post a 1.94 ERA with 42 strikeouts and nine walks over seven starts from August 7 to Sept 11.

Who the Mets are negotiating with is unknown at this time, but keep it locked onto MMO as we gather more information.

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In the wake of former New York Mets general manager Jared Porter’s dismissal, the team has named assistant GM Zack Scott as acting GM in his absence, per a statement from the team.

Per Mets team president Sandy Alderson:

“Zack has plenty of championship experience to draw upon. He has been an integral part of our decision-making process since his arrival. The entire baseball operations staff, including myself, will continue to work collaboratively.”

Scott, 43, was hired as the Mets’ senior vice president and assistant GM on December 23. A former colleague of Porter’s, Scott spent 17 seasons in the Boston Red Sox organization, elevating to the position of assistant GM in charge of analytics, baseball systems, and advance and professional scouting in 2018.

We’ll keep you posted with new information as it pertains to the promotion as it becomes available.

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According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, former New York Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen has been hired as Roc Nation Sports’ chief operating officer, rejoining the athlete representation industry following his unfruitful two-year stay on the other side of the negotiating desk.

Van Wagenen, 46, was formerly the co-head of the baseball division at Creative Artists Agency — who took up a partnership with a then-budding Roc Nation Sports from 2013 to 2015 — before being hired as the Mets’ GM in October 2018.

Per Roc Nation founder Jay-Z (Shawn Carter), “Brodie’s knowledge of the business is indisputable and unparalleled. Since we first worked with Brodie, we realized the shared commitment to athletes on and off the field. He’s always been extended family and now it’s official.”

The Stanford grad’s time in Queens was marred by underperformance at many levels of the organization. On-field, the team struggled under then-manager Mickey Callaway before putting together a terrific second half in 2019. Van Wagenen’s chair-throwing incident in July of that season is a moment of note.

Van Wagenen’s December 2018 trade of top prospect Jarred Kelenic to the Seattle Mariners for a highly-paid but aging Robinson Cano and talented but volatile reliever Edwin Diaz cast an “in over his head” cloud over the remaining time in New York.

Once incoming Mets owner Steve Cohen took the reins in November 2020, Van Wagenen and most of the staff he assembled was fired.

New York hired former Mets GM and baseball lifer Sandy Alderson as team president days later and replaced Van Wagenen with Jared Porter, who was removed from the position after just 37 days following ESPN’s report detailing his sexual misconduct while a member of the Cubs’ front office.

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In the latest episode of Simply Amazin’, Tim is joined by Stacast guru Mike Petriello of MLB.com to discuss what’s happening in Flushing this offseason and around the league.

Mike shares his thoughts on Mets center field target Jackie Bradley Jr., as well as how the team stands up in a tough division after missing out on some major free agent targets. Trevor Bauer’s expected price tag and whether it’s justified is also discussed.

And with the universal designated hitter still in flux for the 2021 season, Mike and Tim go over how that affects the Mets and how they can still find consistent at-bats for guys like Dominic Smith and J.D. Davis.

Be sure to follow Mike on Twitter (@mike_petriello) and check out his work on MLB.com.

The post Simply Amazin’: Special Guest Mike Petriello of MLB.com appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

For the first time since 2013 and for the ninth time in its 85-year history, the Baseball Writers’ Association of America did not elect any candidates to the National Baseball Hall of Fame this year (full voting results).

Right-handers Curt Schilling and Roger Clemens and outfielder Barry Bonds came closest to the necessary 75-percent voting threshold, with Schilling receiving 71.1 percent (16 votes shy of election) and Bonds and Clemens sitting pat at 61.8 percent and 61.6 percent, respectively (60.7 for Bonds and 61.0 percent for Clemens last year).

All three top vote-getters have controversy attached to their candidacies — steroid implications for Bonds and Clemens, character issues for Schilling. Whether future voting sessions open the doors for these three is to be determined, but — moral inadequacies aside — they do have history on their side.

Former Brooklyn Dodgers great and Mets skipper Gil Hodges is the only player in MLB history to receive over 50 percent of BBWAA votes in a single year and pass through the 15-or-10 year voting window without gaining induction.

The rest of this year’s ballot saw considerable gains made among the next wave of Hall hopefuls, as well as a shade of stagnancy for others.

Rockies standout Todd Helton (29.2 percent in 2020), former Mets closer Billy Wagner (31.7 percent), and third baseman Scott Rolen (35.3 percent) all saw their candidacies receive jolts in the arm, with Helton picking up 44.9 percent of the vote, Wagner jumping to 46.4 percent, and Rolen breaking 50 percent (52.9) for the first time.

Two more former Mets — Jeff Kent and Gary Sheffield — saw their induction hopes raised this year, as did former Mets killer Andruw Jones. Kent’s vote percentage increased from 27.5 percent to 32.4 and Sheffield’s total jumped from 30.5 to 40.6 percent. Jones saw a substantial gain, going from 19.4 percent last year to 33.9 percent in 2021.

Omar Vizquel‘s support dropped from 52.6 percent in 2020 to 49.1 percent this year, and Manny Ramirez stuck exactly where he finished last year’s tally — at 28.2 percent.

Players who didn’t receive the necessary five percent of votes to remain on the ballot are as follows: Aramis Ramirez, LaTroy Hawkins, Barry Zito, A.J. Burnett, Michael Cuddyer, Dan Haren, Nick Swisher, and Shane Victorino.

Despite no players being elected from the 2021 class, last year’s inductees — Derek Jeter, Larry Walker, Ted Simmons, and Marvin Miller — will be celebrated this July in Cooperstown, along with the litany of baseball legends lost over the past 10 months.

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According to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports, the New York Mets have made a sizable offer to free-agent right-hander Trevor Bauer hoping to secure his services for 2021 and possibly beyond.

Per the report:

“[The Mets] have formally offered [Bauer] a contract that would make him baseball’s highest-paid player based on an annual average salary”, Nightengale wrote, per source. “The deal would eclipse New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole‘s $36 million [AAV] on his nine-year, $324 million contract signed a year ago, but would be much shorter in length.”

Nightengale adds that New York “made the aggressive over in recent weeks, and have since stayed in contact with Bauer”, confirming reports throughout the weekend of continued discussions revolving around the 30-year-old reigning NL Cy Young Award winner.

Bauer’s off-field baggage is certainly on the team’s mind. Nightengale confirms “while the offer [to Bauer] still stands, one team official cautioned that the Mets still are evaluating all aspects of Bauer’s strong social media presence”.

Shortly after Nightengale’s story was published, Jon Heyman of MLB Network and Mark Feinsand of MLB.com rebutted the report of a record-deal being offered but both noted continued interest on New York’s part.

Over 11 starts in 2020, Bauer pitched to an NL-leading 1.73 ERA with 100 strikeouts, 17 walks, and 0.79 WHIP, leading him into free agency with a head full of steam.

Whether his at-times problematic social media presence affects that momentum figures to be determined in short order.

We will keep you posted as this story develops.

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