Jon Updike, the New York Mets’ 2018 Scout of the Year, left the organization for a job as President of Digital Scouting and Player Development Solutions at BaseballCloud according to Andy Martino of SNY. Updike was the scout who was responsible for bringing Pete Alonso and Matthew Allan to the Mets.
Latest Mets News
The Mets named Hensley Meulens their bench coach as reported by Jennifer Mercedes of La Vida Baseball and confirmed by Jon Heyman of MLB Network.
The Mets are close to hiring a pitching coach, with Jeremy Hefner being considered a very strong candidate for the job according to Martino of SNY. Martino also reported that Gil Patterson is no longer a candidate for the job.
The Mets announced that they will hold an inaugural “Mets FANFEST” which will take place on Jan. 25, 2020.
MLB announced the candidates for the inaugural All-MLB Team, which includes Alonso, Jacob deGrom, Jeff McNeil and Seth Lugo. Fans will have until Dec. 3 at 5:00 p.m. EST to vote for candidates. The first and second team winners will be announced at the 2019 Winter Meetings in San Diego.
Latest MLB News
The Seattle Mariners signed Evan White (their 2017 first-round pick) to a six-year, $24 million contract with club options for 2026, 2027 and 2028. The options can take the deal as high as $55.5 million.
The Tampa Bay Rays avoided arbitration with Mike Zunino as they signed him to a one-year, $4.5 million contract with a 2021 club option.
The Worcester Red Sox, the Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox (effective 2021), officially announced that their nickname will be the WooSox. Their logo will be a smiley face swinging a bat.
The Minnesota Twins announced new alternate uniforms for 2020.
United States Senator and presidential candidate Bernie Sanders wrote a letter urging MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred not to get rid of any minor league team as was proposed.
Latest NL East News
Derek Jeter told reporters that he is open to making significant upgrades to the Miami Marlins this offseason, but emphasized that each move must fit into the long-term picture of where the club is heading.
Latest on MMO/MMN
Joe D. interviewed Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News.
Matt Musico analyzed McNeil’s power against fastballs in 2019.
Brian Devine listed and wrote about the Mets’ top five offseason acquisitions of the decade.
Michael Mayer wrote an “MLB Rumor Roundup.”
John Sheridan wrote about Sam Haggerty‘s breakout 2019 campaign with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies.
This Day in Mets History
1963: Ron Hunt received two first-place votes in the National League Rookie of the Year voting to finish second for the award behind Pete Rose.
Birthdays: Josh Smoker turns 31, Brian Schneider turns 43 and Richie Hebner turns 72.
