Merry Christmas Eve and Happy Hanukkah Mets fans! There is much to celebrate at the end of December and before you know it, baseball will be among the things to celebrate as we are now 48 days away from New York Mets pitchers and catchers reporting for spring training.

Latest Mets News

Danny Abriano of SNY predicted what the Mets’ 26-man roster will look like in 2020.

Stony Brook Athletics wrote a story on alumnus LHP Daniel Zamora who will be heading to spring training with the Mets after playing winter ball for the Toros del Este in the Dominican Republic.

Former Mets minor league INF/DH Matt Oberste retired per MMO‘s Michael Mayer. Oberste was drafted by the Mets in the seventh round of the 2013 MLB Draft and most recently played for the Rockland Boulders of the Can-Am League in 2019.

Latest MLB News

Free agent LHP Rich Hill was arrested along with his wife Caitlin Hill outside of Gillette Stadium on Sunday as reported by John R. Ellement of the Boston Globe. Caitlin Hill was arrested after repeatedly trying to enter the game between the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills with an oversized bag and refusing to leave the grounds after ordered to do so by police. Rich Hill was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest after trying to stop police from transporting his wife to a police station to book her for disorderly conduct and trespassing charges.

Bradford Doolittle of ESPN ranked all 30 MLB teams’ starting rotations.

The Cleveland Indians and 2B Cesar Hernandez agreed to a one-year, $6.25 million contract according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.

The San Diego Padres signed RHP Pierce Johnson to a two-year, $5 million contract, with a club option for 2022. Johnson spent the 2019 season with the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball.

The New York Yankees traded RHP Chance Adams to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for minor league SS/3B Cristian Perez.

Latest NL East News

The Miami Marlins and C Francisco Cervelli agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.

Matthew Cerrone wrote about where all five teams in the National League East stand right now.

Latest on MMO/MMN

Mathew Brownstein interviewed former Mets RHP Carlos Torres.

Matt Musico analyzed a trend that helped spur OF/3B J.D. Davis‘ second-half tear in 2019.

Brian Devine wrote about what OF Jake Marisnick‘s role may look like in 2020.

Michael Mayer took inventory of the remaining relief pitching market.

Mayer also wrote an “MLB Rumor Roundup.”

This Day in Mets History

Birthdays: RHP Matt Ginter turns 42 and SS Frank Taveras turns 70.

The post Morning Briefing: Rich Hill and Wife Arrested Outside Gillette Stadium appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

The New York Mets took on the Miami Marlins at First Data Field this afternoon, where they came back late but were defeated by the score of 7-5.

Pitching

Jacob deGrom lasted 5.1 innings and threw 72 pitches. He gave up four runs, one on a solo home run to Matt Den Dekker. He allowed seven hits and struck out three.

Lefty David Roseboom pitched next and struggled. He allowed a long solo home run to Matt den Dekker and walked a batter.

Erik Goeddel continued his struggles on the spring as he allowed a two-run home run to Brandon Barnes. His ERA on the spring is now up to 10.50.

Rafael Montero continued his strong bid for one of the last spots in the big league bullpen. He threw a pair of scoreless innings and struck out three. His spring ERA is down to 2.70.

Cory Burns threw a scoreless ninth inning, striking out one.

Hitting

Lucas Duda and Yoenis Cespedes continued their hot springs picking up a base hit a piece. Cespedes is hitting a stellar .494 and Duda is hitting .294. Duda has been hitting the ball very well this spring.

Cespedes showed off his cannon of an arm in left. He threw out a runner across his body while on the run at second base.

Asdrubal Cabrera picked up a pair of hits, a single and a double. He also made a pair of beautiful barehanded plays at shortstop.

Travis d’Arnaud drew two walks at the plate. His throwing issues continued as he over threw third base by a mile on a stolen base attempt.

Travis Taijeron poked a triple to centerfield late in the game.

The minor league Mets got a bit of a rally going late as Colby Woodmansee was hit by a pitch, Kevin Kaczmarski lined a double, and J.C. Rodriguez drew a walk.

With the bases loaded, Matt Oberste drove in a run with a single, then Xorge Carrillo reached on an error, bringing in two more runs. Ty Kelly and Champ Stuart added an pair RBI singles to make it 7-5.

Jay Bruce was scratched from the lineup due to a tight right hip from fielding grounders at first base.

Up Next

The Mets travel to Lakeland to take on the Detroit Tigers at 1:05 PM at Joker Marchant Stadium. Matt Harvey will be on the mound for the Mets looking to regain his velocity.

The post Spring Recap: Mets Rally Late But Fall to Marlins 7-5 appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Las Vegas (50-47) 4, Omaha 2 Box Score

• Dilson Herrera 2B 0 for 3, 2 BB, R .272/.322/.464
• Brandon Nimmo CF 2 for 5, HR (6th), 3 RBI .328/.405/.511
• Gavin Cecchini SS 1 for 4, HR (5th), RBI .321/.399/.449

Nimmo extended his AAA hitting streak to ten games with his MLB time placed in between. He is 6 for 18 with five RBIs since going back down to Las Vegas.

• Robert Gsellman RHP 7 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, W (1-2, 9.00)
• Josh Smoker LHP IP, H, 2 K (5.02)
• Paul Sewald RHP IP, 2 K, S (10th save, 3.77)

By far the best AAA start of Gsellman’s career, he retired the first 12 batters he faced but hung two curveballs that were hit out of the park. Smoker hit 96 MPH on a gun that the announcers said his generally slow. He has now struck out 63 batters in 43 innings.

Binghamton (45-51) 4, Portland 0 Box Score

• Champ Stuart CF 2 for 5, R, SB, 2 K .277/.320/.383
• Amed Rosario SS 0 for 4, RBI .363/.417/.538
• Dominic Smith 1B 0 for 3, BB .291/.352/.462
• Jayce Boyd LF 3 for 4, 3 2B, RBI .254/.322/.321
• Matt Oberste DH 2 for 4, HR (7th), 2 RBI .292/.338/.435

Rosario is hitting his first mini slump for the B-Mets going 1 for 13 with four strikeouts in his last three games.

• Josh Zeid RHP 8 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, W (3-3, 3.98)
• David Roseboom Perfect inning (2.35)

St. Lucie (51-43) 3, Lakeland 1 Box Score

• Kevin Taylor 1B 2 for 3, BB, 2B, 2 RBI .299/.400/.437
• Kevin Kaczmarski LF 0 for 4, R, RBI, SB .364/.475/.515

The Mets hold onto a half game first place lead in the South Division

• Andrew Barbosa LHP 4.1 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K
• Ben Griset LHP 2.2 IP, H, 0 ER, 2 K, W (3-1, 0.70)
• Paul Paez LHP 2 IP, 2 H, ER, 2 K, S (3rd save, 0.90)

Columbia Fireflies (43-53) 6, Hagerstown 1 Box Score

• Brandon Brosher DH, 1 for 3 HR, RBI, BB .267/.421/.467
• Eudor Garcia 3B, 1 for 4, R, BB .218/.259/.309

Every member of the Fireflies reached base in the victory over the first place Suns. Chase Ingram struck out eight in earning the victory. Tyler Bashlor lowered his ERA to 1.55 with a scoreless ninth. Brosher’s home run was his first since being promoted to Columbia, his sixth on the season.

Brooklyn Cyclones (15-18) 3, Aberdeen 2 Box Score

The Cyclones won as Harol Gonzalez (2-1, 2.14) continued his season long domination. As he allowed only five singles and one walk while striking out nine in 7.2 shutout innings enroute to earning the victory. Gonzalez currently leads the NYPL with 52 strikeouts and innings pitched with 42.

• Michael Paez  2B, 1 for 3, HR(1), RBI, BB, .179/.314/.357
• Colby Woodmansee SS 1 for 4, R, .275/.315/.353
• Peter Alonso 1B, 1 for 3, R, BB .289/.373/.511
• Blake Tiberi 3B, 1 for 2, 2 RBI .224/.311/.289

For the full recap head over to MetsMinors.net where we also started our Top 50 Mets Midseason Prospects countdown.

The post Mets Minors Recap: Nimmo, Cecchini Power 51s to Victory appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Las Vegas 6 (27-24) at Reno 10 (Arizona)

Box Score

• Dilson Herrera 2B 2 for 5, 2 RBI .280
• Brandon Nimmo CF 1 for 4, HR, BB, K .297
• Johnny Monell C 1 for 4, BB, R, K .260
• Travis Taijeron RF 2 for 4, BB, R, K .297
• Matt Reynolds 3B 1 for 5, 2B, RBI, 4K .237
• Gavin Cecchini SS 3 for 4, 2B, RBI, BB, K .308, Error (10)
• Marc Krauss 1B 1 for 3, 2B, 2 BB, 2 R .223
• Seth Lugo 1 for 3, RBI, K .167

Nimmo hit a couple of balls hard, including the homer that went 410 feet, and another far into the warning track.

• Seth Lugo RHP 6 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K 7.28 ERA
• Zack Thornton RHP 1 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, BB 5.76 ERA, Blown Save, Loss
• Stolmy Pimentel RHP 0 IP, 2 ER, 2BB 11.39 ERA, Pitched to two batters in 8th.
• Paul Sewald RHP 1 IP, 2 H, ER, K 3.24 ERA

Lugo bounced back after giving up eight runs last outing. 51’s pitching gave up 15 hits, including 8 for extra bases. Sewald has given up four runs in his last five innings.

Binghamton 11 (20-30) at Erie 2 (Indians)

Box Score

• Derrik Gibson 3B 4 for 6, 2B, RBI, 3 R, K .267
• Phillip Evans SS 2 for 6, 2 2B, 3 RBI .290
• Jayce Boyd LF 1 for 5, BB .200
• Dominic Smith 1B 1 for 4, RBI, Run, BB, K .267
• Matt Oberste DH 3 for 4, HR, 2 RBI, 2BB, K .298
• Maikis De La Cruz CF 2 for 5, 2B, RBI, R .245
• Stefan Sabol RF 3 for 5, HR, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R .181

The B-Mets offense backed up Gsellman very well with an 18-hit offensive explosion. Sabol and Oberste both launched home runs for the squad. Leadoff Hitter Gibson scored four of the eleven runs. Boyd made his season debut in the 3-hole for the B-Mets.

• Robert Gsellman RHP 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2K, W (2-4), 2.78 ERA
• Logan Taylor RHP 2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 4K 2.51 ERA
• Akeel Morris RHP 1 IP, 1 H, 2 K 3.80 ERA

Gsellman continues to pitch very well, giving up only 2 runs. Taylor was excellent out of the bullpen yet again with a four-strikeout performance in two innings. It has been a night-and-day difference between April and May for Morris giving up eight runs in 10.1 innings in April, and only one in 12 innings in May.

St. Lucie 0 (25-26) at Fort Myers 4 (Minnesota)

Box Score

• Champ Stuart CF 1 for 4, K .230
• Tomas Nido 1 for 3, 2K .284
• John Mora LF 0 for 2, BB, K .220
• Jhoan Urena 3B 0 for 2 BB, K .202

The St. Lucie Mets were 2-hit by Minnesota’s top prospect Tyler Jay through eight innings, while striking out eleven times.

• Josh Prevost RHP 6.1 IP 8 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2K 4.64 ERA
• Robert Coles RHP 0.2 IP 2 H, ER, BB, K 3.79 ERA
• Corey Taylor RHP 1 IP, K 0.92 ERA

Prevost and Coles didn’t fare very well. Taylor continues to excel in the Florida State League. Prevost was struck in the head by a line drive come-backer in the seventh inning which bounced off to Guillorme, who completed the play.

Columbia 4 (27-25) at Rome 3 (Braves)

Box Score

• Vinny Siena 2B 0 for 3, BB, R, 2K .314
• Kevin Kaczmarski RF 1 for 3 2B, 3 RBI, BB .244
• David Thompson DH 0 for 3 BB, Run .288
• Luis Ortega 3B 1 for 3 .258
• Dash Winningham 1B 1 for 3 3B, BB .234
• Joe Tuschak LF 1 for 3, R, K .212

Kaczmarski hit a go-ahead bases-clearing double in the fifth inning.  Winningham hits his third career triple.

• Kevin Canelon LHP 6.1 IP 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, BB, 3K 3.16 ERA
• Christian Montgomery 1.0 IP 2 H, 2 BB, 1K 3.68 ERA
• Alex Palsha RHP 1.2 IP 2 H, 2K 3.00 ERA

Canelon has had nine starts in a row with five or more innings and has pitched six innings or more, seven out of those 9 times. Palsha has given up only two runs in his last 10 appearances.

The post Mets Minors Recap: Nimmo Homers, Cecchini Three Hits appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Memphis Redbirds 9 vs. Las Vegas 51s (27-23) 3

BOX SCORE

The 51s lost to the Cardinals Triple-A Affiliate by a 9-3 final score.

• Dilson Herrera (2B) 0 for 4, .276/ .320/ .492
• Gavin Cecchini (SS) 0 for 4, run scored, .293/ .374/ .379
• T.J. Rivera (LF) 2 for 3, with a run scored, BB, .374/ .409/ .549
• Danny Muno (1B) 2 for 4, 3B, 2 RBI, .224/ .408/ .310

The 51s had a quiet night with bats, only scoring three runs on five hits. T.J. Rivera extended his hitting streak to 17 games. They didn’t score until getting three unearned runs off former 51s reliever John Church in the ninth inning.

• Rafael Montero RHP: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, L (2-2 4.53 ERA)
• Josh Smoker LHP: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER (5.49 ERA)
• Chasen Bradford RHP: 1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, BB (2.22 ERA)
• Erik Goeddel RHP: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, K (5.75 ERA)
• Jeff Walters RHP: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER (9.27 ERA)

Rafael Montero got the nod and was bounced around giving up five runs in five innings pitched.

Trenton Thunder 9 vs. Binghamton Mets (19-30) 5

BOX SCORE

The New York Yankees Double-A Affiliate won the third game in a row against the Binghamton Mets who fall to eleven games under .500.

• Philip Evans (SS) 2 for 4, R, K .286/ .286/ .357
• Matt Oberste (3B) 1 for 4, RBI, .287/.343/.427
• Victor Cruzado (RF) 2 for 2, R, .252/ .355/ .367
• Dominic Smith (1B) 1 for 3, R, BB .268/ .315/ .399

The Binghamton Mets had eight total hits. Philip Evans collected two hits and has hit .310 in his last ten games, raising his average to .286.

• Rainy Lara RHP: 5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, L (2-6 5.52 ERA)
• Luis Mateo RHP: 2 IP, H, 0 ER, 2 K (2.55 ERA)
• Alberto Baldonado LHP: 1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, K. BB (7.36 ERA)
• Beck Wheeler RHP: 0.1 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, K (5.91 ERA)
• David Roseboom LHP: 0.2 IP, 0 ER, K (2.84 ERA)

David Roseboom contributed his sixth straight scoreless outing, pitching 0.2 innings with a strikeout.

Columbia Fireflies 5 (26-25) vs. West Virginia Power 1

BOX SCORE

The Fireflies earned the victory behind another stellar performance from Andrew Church. Luis Ortega led the way for the offense with a big three-run homer.

• Vinny Siena (2B) 2 for 4, R, 2 K, .319/ .453/ .416
• Luis Ortega (3B) 2 for 4, HR, 3 RBI, .259/ .286/ .481
• Dash Winningham (1B) 2 for 3, 2B, RBI, BB, .232/.310/.348

Columbia collected nine hits in this game.

• Andrew Church RHP: 7.2 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, BB, 6 K, W (2-0 0.71 ERA)
• Craig Missigman RHP: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER (3.12 ERA)

Andrew Church got his second start of the season and had another great outing on the mound, tossing 7.2 innings while only allowing a run and striking out 6. Church is finally showing the Mets the potential he had when they drafted him in the 2nd round of the 2013 draft.  Craig Missigman contributed with his sixth straight scoreless outing.

The post Mets Minors Recap: T.J. Rivera Extends Hit Streak To 17 Games appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

This is part three of our series recognizing the Mets minor leaguers that had the best statistical years during the 2015 season. These players were chosen on the numbers and not their prospect value. The eight position players chosen as the starters on this 25-man all-star team were Patrick Mazeika, Dominic Smith, Dilson Herrera, Gavin Cecchini, Eudor Garcia, Wuilmer Becerra, Kevin Kaczmarski, and Travis Taijeron.

Shortstop – Luis Guillorme (Savannah Sand Gnats) The 21-year old was named the South Atlantic League Most Valuable Player for the 2015 season after hitting .318/.391/.354 in 122 games for the Sand Gnats.  His batting average was second among Mets full season hitters and in the SAL. His .391 OBP was third among Mets minors and fourth in the league. The left-handed hitter also had 18 steals, 55 RBI, and 67 runs scored (6th in system) while striking out only 70 times compared to 54 walks. The Mets picked Guillorme in the 10th round of the 2013 draft as a player known for his strong defensive abilities. He was the Mets Sterling Award winner for Savannah.

Utility Infielder – T.J. Rivera (B’Mets & 51’s) He led all the Mets full season hitters with his .325 average (.341 with Binghamton), his .364 OBP was 8th, and his .449 slugging percentage was fourth. The right-handed hitting Rivera also had 27 doubles, seven homeruns, 48 RBI, and 63 runs scored. Rivera was a tough man to strike out during the 2015 season doing so only 47 times in 403 at bats. The Bronx native finished the season reaching base safely in 16 straight games.

Outfielder – Wagner Lagrange (DSL Mets) The 20-year old outfielder was the Mets Sterling Award winner for the Dominican Summer League I after hitting .347/.404/.417 in 59 games. He also hit 10 doubles, two triples, and a homerun in his professional debut. The right-handed hitter struck out only 28 times and walked 20 in 242 at bats. He finished the season on a 10-game hitting streak and reached base safely in his last 17 games.

First Base – Matt Oberste (St. Lucie Mets) The first baseman had a career year hitting .301 (6th among full season), got on at a .359 clip (9th), and slugged .430 (7th). The 24-year old knocked in a career high 64 which was 6th among all Mets minor leaguers and his six triples were tied for 4th in the whole system. The Mets 7th round pick in 2013 added six homeruns, 24 doubles, and scored 52 runs. He was also named a post-season all-star by the Florida State League.

Utility – Jeff McNeil (St. Lucie Mets) The left-handed hitting super utility guy played five different positions during the 2015 season with 58 games at second base, 34 at shortstop, 28 at third, two at first, and one in center field. He finished with a .312 batting average ranking him second in the Florida State League and his .373 OBP led the entire league. Overall for the season he hit .308/.369/.377 that includes a cameo with the Binghamton Mets (4 games) at the end of the year. the midseason and post-season all-star led the Mets farm system with 149 hits.

Catcher – Juan Uriarte (DSL Mets) The right handed hitter made his professional debut in 2015 as a 17-year old who hit .267/.374/.395 in 52 combined games between DSL Mets I and DSL Mets II. His 34 RBI were the fourth most among short season Mets hitters and his .770 OPS was second among catchers in the entire system. He batted .339/.487/.492 in 20 games for the Dominican Summer League Mets II.

Part One: Position Players Led By Cecchini, Smith

Part Two: Starting Pitchers Anchored By Robert Gsellman

For more Mets minor league coverage head over to MetsMinors.net where we covered the Mets signing minor league veteran Niuman Romero.

The post Mets Minors: Luis Guillorme Leads Our All Star Bench appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

It was a rough start to the year for Dominic Smith who was hitting just .194 on May 17th before he went on a tear that turned around his season and earned him the Florida State League Player of the Year award. He is currently hitting 305/.355/.418 with a league leading 33 doubles, six homeruns, and league leading 79 RBI.

Over his last 93 games of the season Dom has hit a robust .334/.381/.464 with 35 extra base hits and a respectable 28/53 BB/SO while having only one at bat against a player younger than him. He has played gold glove caliber defense at first base and was recently touted as the best defensive player at his position according to the leagues managers in a Baseball America poll.

The 11th overall pick in 2013, Smith, also won FSL player of the month for June when he hit .352/.397/.472 with 20 RBI in 26 games.

St. Lucie infielder Jeff McNeil who led the league in hitting for a majority of the year was also named to the end-of-the year All-Star team as was the Mets DH/1B Matt Oberste. McNeil is currently second in the league in hitting with his .312 average, first in OBP at .373 and third in hits with 146. He has moved around the infield playing games at shortstop, second base, and some at third.

Oberste has been an afterthought all year thanks to the big bats of Michael Conforto and Smith, though he has held his own hitting .306/.365/.435 in 107 games for St. Lucie.  His slash line ranked second, second and fourth respectively in the league. Matt hit 22 doubles, six triples, six homeruns, and knocked in 60 runs.

The post Dominic Smith Named FSL Player Of The Year appeared first on Metsmerized Online.