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Morning Briefing: Mets Release Adrian Houser

Jack Sargente — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 11:00:16 +0000

Good morning, Mets fans!

With a struggling bullpen and an influx of moves on the horizon, the Mets DFA’d both RHP Adrian Houser and RHP Shintaro Fujinami on July 26. While Fujinami cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday, Houser was released by the club on Wednesday, per Will Sammon of The Athletic. The Mets also released RHP Ty Adcock.

Houser, who was acquired along with Tyrone Taylor from the Brewers in the offseason, had his ups and downs throughout his short Mets tenure. The veteran started in the Mets’ rotation, where he struggled severely, having his ERA balloon up to 8.37 at its highest. The Mets then moved him to the bullpen, where he thrived for a short period, but he came back down to Earth recently, and his subpar performance made him expendable. Houser posted a 5.84 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 1-5 record in his 69 1/3 innings and 23 games with the Mets.

At Citi Field on Wednesday, the Mets finished their homestand and series against the Minnesota Twins in disappointing fashion. While a Mark Vientos home run gave the Mets an early 2-1 lead in the second inning, it would all go downhill from there. Luis Severino had one of his worst outings in Queens, only lasting three innings while giving up six runs on six hits, leading to an 8-3 Mets loss. However, the Mets leave Citi Field with the series win and a 4-3 record during their homestand. Click here for a full game recap.

The Mets are now going on a West Coast trip. Their first stop will be in Anaheim, where they will take on the Los Angeles Angels for three games. They will have Thursday off and be back in action on Friday night when Paul Blackburn will make his Mets debut on the mound.

Photo by David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Latest Mets News

Baseball America ranked all 89 prospects dealt at the trade deadline. Here is where the pieces the Mets parted with landed: RHP Tyler Stuart (35), RHP Kade Morris (41), RHP Paul Gervase (75), OF Rhylan Thomas (82) and INF Wilfredo Lara (86).

The Mets optioned newly acquired right-handed relief pitcher Tyler Zuber to Triple-A Syracuse prior to Wednesday’s game. They also optioned LHP Matt Gage to Syracuse and activated former Marlin RHP Huascar Brazobán.

Two new promotions were added to the Mets’ schedule for their mid-August homestand. On Saturday, August 17, against the Marlins, the first 15,000 fans will receive an “OMG” T-shirt, and fans can get an “OMG” foam finger through a special ticket offer for the game on Tuesday, August 20th, against the Orioles.

The Mets’ newest starter, Paul Blackburn, will make his first start for the Amazin’s on Friday against the Angels. Tylor Megill, slated to start that game, has been put in the bullpen. He went two innings while giving up one run on three hits during his first appearance out of the ‘pen on Wednesday against the Twins. Click here to learn about Blackburn.

Reed Garrett looked “really good” in his live session on Wednesday, per Joe Pantorno of amNewYork. Garrett, who hit 97 mph in his live session, will be making a rehab appearance on Saturday for the Syracuse Mets.

Sean Reid-Foley was on point during his rehab appearance for Double-A Binghamton, getting all three batters he faced to strike out swinging.

Brandon Nimmo left Wednesday’s loss to the Minnesota Twins after fouling a ball off his foot in the sixth inning. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters after the game that X-rays were negative and Nimmo should be good to go for Friday. Click here for more on Nimmo’s injury.

The Mets signed 18 of their 20 draft picks in the 2024 MLB Draft. The only players the Mets did not sign were ninth-rounder RHP Jaxon Jelkin and 20th-rounder SS Adam Haight.

Latest MLB News

The Houston Astros DFA’d former Mets pitcher Rafael Montero, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. The flame-throwing right-hander was in year two of his three-year, $34.5 million deal.

St. Louis Cardinals veteran RHP Lance Lynn was placed on the 15-day IL with right knee inflammation. Lynn has a 4.06 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 106 1/3 innings of work this season.

Jackson Holliday‘s first career home run was a grand slam, which he rocketed deep into right field, onto Eutaw Street.

JACKSON HOLLIDAY!

His first big league homer is a grand slam! pic.twitter.com/UhYSrT2MiQ

— MLB (@MLB) July 31, 2024

Baltimore Orioles third baseman Jordan Westburg fractured his hand after getting hit by a pitch in the fifth inning of Wednesday’s game, per Steve Melewski of MASN Sports. The club hopes he can return by the end of the season.

Former Mets catcher James McCann played in Wednesday’s Orioles game with multiple nasal fractures after taking a 95 mph fastball to the face on Monday. McCann sported a new mask to do so.

Latest on MMO

See what MMO writers graded the Mets’ trade deadline.

The Mets activated their newest reliever, Huascar Brazobán.

More on the news of Nimmo fighting off an injury scare.

The Mets signed 18 of their 20 draft picks.

On This Date in Mets History

2015: Lucas Duda drives in all three Mets runs as his two home runs and eighth-inning go-ahead RBI double power the Mets past the Nationals. This win puts the Mets one game back of the Washington Nationals for first place in the NL East.

2010: 1986 World Series champions Darryl Strawberry, Dwight “Doc” Gooden, Davey Johnson, and Frank Cashen are inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame.

1999: Pitcher Pat Mahomes gives the Mets a 13th-inning lead with a two-out base hit and gets the save in the bottom of the frame to beat the Cubs in Wrigley.

1989: Kevin McReynolds finishes off the fifth cycle in Mets history with his ninth-inning triple.

Birthdays: Brian Bohanon (56), Gregg Jefferies (57)

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Morning Briefing: Starling Marte Looking for Clearance to Play in Winter League

Jack Sargente — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 13:00:42 +0000

Good morning, Mets fans!

Mets veteran outfielder Starling Marte is looking to play in the Dominican Winter League, but there are some hoops to jump through prior to doing so. Marte, who missed most of the last two months of the 2023 season due to a groin injury, needs to get the Mets’ clearance to play in the winter league. Mike Mayer of Metsmerized Online reported that Marte was at practice on Wednesday with the Leones del Escodigo, the team said that he took batting practice and is waiting for clearance from the Mets to activate him.

This will not be an easy decision for the Mets as Marte has been dealing with groin injuries dating back to the 2022 season, including undergoing surgery in the offseason prior to the 2023.

Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Latest Mets News

The Mets continued to add to their 2024 roster while they wait on a decision from Yoshinobu Yamamoto, as they traded for starting pitcher Adrian Houser and outfielder Tyrone Taylor from the Milwaukee Brewers. The trade, which was first reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, will be sending back pitching prospect Coleman Crow to Milwaukee. For an in-depth look into the deal check out MMO’s article on it!

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that the Mets have shown interest in Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff, and could be a real possibility if they do not land Yoshinobu Yamamoto. To see who else the Mets reportedly have show interest in click here!

The New York Mets are looking for a full-time pro player personnel associate, check out the Mets’ Fan Graphs job listing.

Latest MLB News

Japanese reliever Yuki Matsui agreed to a four-year, $21 million deal with the San Diego Padres, per Yahoo Japan. The 5’8” closer posted a 1.53 ERA in 57.1 IP in his 2023 season in the NPB.

Former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright released a song dedicated to Cardinals fans titled “Time to Fly.” Along with that, he also announced on his Twitter page that he will be releasing a full album on February 23.

The Milwaukee Brewers signed veteran free agent catcher Eric Haase to a one-year major league contract.

Former Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Taylor Widener signed with the Braves on a minor league contract, per MLB.com. Widener spent the past season playing for two different clubs in the KBO and now looks to find his way onto a major league roster.

The Los Angeles Dodgers continue to add organizational depth as they signed relief pitcher Nabil Crismatt and outfielder Travis Swaggerty to minor league deals, per MLB.com.

Latest on MMO

Metsmerized Online’s twitter page is giving away a signed Ron Darling baseball card. Follow MMO’s account and repost the giveaway post to enter!

Check out our free agent profile on a possible Mets free agent target, Gio Urshela!

The 2019 Mets shock the 2000 Mets in MMO’s Mets Madness!

On This Date in Mets History

2009: The New York Mets sign pitcher R.A. Dickey to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. The knuckleballer would go on to win the 2012 National League Cy Young Award with the club, posting a 2.73 ERA while winning 20 games.

1998: Relief pitcher Pat Mahomes signs with the New York Mets. Mahomes would post a 2.25 ERA in eight innings of work in the 1999 postseason and was also a part of the Mets 2000 National League winning club.

Birthdays: Taylor Teagarden (40), John Mayberry (40), Philip Humber (41), Royce Ring (43), Dicky González (45), Buddy Carlyle (46), LaTroy Hawkins (51), Roger McDowell (63), Dave Kingman (75), Elliott Maddox (76)

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Mets Madness Series Preview: 2022 Mets vs. 1999 Mets

James Villani — Sun, 19 Nov 2023 21:00:06 +0000

MMO’s partnership with Out of the Park Baseball (OOTP) continues as our 16-team Mets Madness bracket is well underway. Next up, MMO and OOTP pit the 2022 Mets team against the 1999 Mets team. Jack Ramsey, MMO and Mets Minors writer, is set to control the 1999 team, while James Villani, MMO editor and writer, will control the 2022 team.

Each round will be best-of-seven. We will be posting series previews and recaps of the first round and then will be more detailed in our posting as we get deeper into the competition.

Additionally, we will also be giving folks access to 10% off coupons for downloading the game as well as giving away codes to download the game for free.

2022 Mets

The ninth seed in the 16-team tournament is the most recent team in Mets history to participate in the event. Of course, it was a disappointing ending to one of the most successful regular seasons in franchise history. The 2022 Mets posted the second-most wins (101) of any team across the 62-year history of the Mets. However, it all culminated in a Wild Card round loss to the San Diego Padres.

The 2022 Mets were led by manager Buck Showalter and posted the second-highest batting average in the league. Five key cogs in the lineup posted a season OPS over .800, with the offense mainly being led by Pete Alonso (40 home runs and 131 RBIs), Francisco Lindor (26 home runs and 107 RBIs), and Jeff McNeil (.836 OPS).

On the mound, the Mets owned a team ERA of 3.57 which was seventh-best in the majors. The rotation saw six main contributors, all posting season ERAs below 4.00. Of the best were Max Scherzer (2.29 ERA), Chris Bassitt 3.42 ERA), and Taijuan Walker (3.49 ERA). Not to mention, one of the best seasons in relief pitcher history, Edwin Díaz who posted 118 strikeouts and a 1.31 ERA over 62 innings.

1999 Mets

The 1999 Mets team checks in as the eighth seed in the 16-team tournament and posted a 97-win season 24 years ago. After finishing second in the National League East, the 1999 Mets defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Division Series before ultimately falling 3-1 to the Atlanta Braves in the NL Championship Series.

The team, managed by Bobby Valentine, were led by four big boppers in the lineup; Mike Piazza (40 home runs and 123 RBIs), Robin Ventura (.908 OPS), Edgardo Alfonzo (108 RBIs), and John Olerud (.890 OPS). The team posted an OPS+ of 104 which was the eight-highest figure in the league.

On the mound, the squad was led by four main starters aged 33, 40, 34, and 34, respectively. The workhorse of the group being 33-year-old Al Leiter who tossed 213 innings posting a 4.23 ERA. The bullpen was led by an electric Armando Benitez (128 strikeouts and a 1.85 ERA over 78 innings) as well as Pat Mahomes (8-0 record).

The team that advances will be taking on the winner of the 1976 Mets team versus the 1986 Mets team. The No. 16 versus No. 1 matchup in the bracket.

Let us know your predictions below!

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MMO Super Bowl LVII Staff Predictions

Michelle Ioannou — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 23:00:17 +0000

Chiefs vs. Eagles in Super Bowl LVII. Photo Credits: KIRBY LEE/USA TODAY SPORTS

We’re talking football here on MMO today (don’t worry, baseball is still our #1, but it’s the Super Bowl!).

Super Bowl LVII is happening this weekend, Sunday February 12. The Kansas City Chiefs will be taking on the Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The Chiefs have won twice in 1970 and most recently in 2020. The Eagles have one championship under their belt from 2018.

You know I have to mention it – Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is the son of former Mets player Pat Mahomes, making lots of Mets fans wanting the Chiefs to win (and well, because of our hatred for Philly, too).

There’s another Mets connection in this year’s Super Bowl, too. One of our favorite former on-field reporters and TV broadcasters, Kevin Burkhardt, is calling the game. It’ll be his first Super Bowl. Good luck, Kevin! Mets fans will be rooting for you.

The game is set to start at 6:30 PM on Fox. Oh, and if you’ve been living under a rock, the Mets will be running a Super Bowl ad. We’re sure you’ve already seen it, but be sure to be on the lookout for that!

So, who do you have?

MMO Staff Predictions:

Patrick Glynn: Chiefs 34, Eagles 31

Matt Mancuso: Chiefs 21, Eagles 17

Christian De Block: Chiefs 28, Eagles 27

Rich Sparago: Chiefs 27, Eagles 14

Andrew Steele-Davis: Chiefs 28, Eagles 21

Michelle Ioannou: Chiefs 31, Eagles 27

Marshall Field: Eagles 28, Chiefs 17

John Sheridan: Eagles 22, Chiefs 18

Joe D.: Eagles 38, Chiefs 13

Ricky Keller: Eagles 30, Chiefs 27

Did You Know…

Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce are the first brothers to play against each other in the Super Bowl.

Andy Reid is older than Nick Sirianni by 23 years. This is the second-largest coaching age gap in Super Bowl history. The first? Bill Belichick and Sean McVay in Super Bowl LIII – there were 33 years between them.

The National Anthem will be sung by Chris Stapleton. Babyface will sing “America the Beautiful” and Sheryl Lee Ralph will sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

There will be a Navy flyover during the National Anthem with female aviators. This is to celebrate 50 years of women flying in the Navy.

Rihanna will headline the Super Bowl Halftime show. She’s teased that she may bring special guests to perform with her, but hasn’t confirmed who.

It should be a great game!

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OTD 1999: Bobby V Goes Incognito

Brian Wright — Thu, 09 Jun 2022 17:30:16 +0000

During his years as manager—first with the Texas Rangers and then with the Mets—Bobby Valentine gained a well-earned reputation for finding his way into the spotlight. Many referred to him as “Top Step” Bobby.

In a game against the Toronto Blue Jays, he affirmed that reputation and sort of dispelled it altogether. It’s hard to be a Mets fan and not be familiar with the sight of Valentine and his faux mustache, sunglasses, hat and Mets t-shirt tucked away in the corner of the dugout—not out of the view from the cameras.

What’s less remembered is the set of circumstances which led to it. It all started in the 12th inning of a tie game with the Toronto Blue Jays. Valentine called for a pitchout in the hopes of holding the speedy Shannon Stewart on first base. Stewart, who happened to be running anyway, stole second as Mike Piazza‘s throw was off-target. But home plate umpire Randy Marsh said Piazza stepped too far from his position to receive the throw and called the rarely heard of “catcher’s balk.”

The Mets skipper came out to protest and was eventually ejected. So Bobby Valentine was out of the game—this version of Bobby Valentine, at least.

According to an MLB.com article from 2022, he was convinced to go back out by Orel Hershiser and Robin Ventura, who helped design the undercover look with eyeblack stickers for a mustache.

“I looked at [them] and they said no one will ever know,” Valentine said.

It didn’t take long before everyone knew. Hershiser tried to shield him in the dugout, but there was no hiding it.

After the game, one in which the Mets won in the 14th, Valentine humorously denied that the disguised man was him. It didn’t take a master detective to crack this case. “It’s going to cost me a lot of money,” he said later. “I don’t regret the fact that it lightened the team.”

The league wasn’t amused. Valentine was fined $5,000 and suspended for two games.

It was an attempt to ease what had been a tense period and the height of the dysfunctional power dispute between Valentine and his younger general manager Steve Phillips.

Following an eight-game losing streak, Phillips dismissed his pitching coach, hitting coach, and bullpen coach in a passive- aggressive ploy to get Bobby to resign. Instead, with Valentine holding his ground, the Mets won 15 of their next 18 and went 50-25 through the end of August, capturing the NL Wild Card and ultimately falling to the Braves in a hard-fought six-game NLCS.

Valentine is in high regard when it comes to best Mets managers. He was also one of the most entertaining. And this night was Exhibit A.

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Reliving the 2000 Mets: Old Friends, New Enemy, And A Rocky Mountain High

Brian Wright — Thu, 30 Apr 2020 22:46:35 +0000

The Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t want to see New York again so soon. After snow on April 9 forced a postponement, the scheduled makeup game was considered far too quick a turnaround for the visitors.

“I didn’t like this [the rescheduled date],” lamented Dodgers manager Davey Johnson to the Los Angeles Times, displeased with the second Big Apple visit in three weeks.

But if the Dodgers sought any sympathizers, the Mets — who had already logged many miles in a short span and soon would embark on another circuitous road trip — were not among them.

Once their current 10-game homestand wrapped up, the New Yorkers would fly to Denver, then San Francisco, then Miami before coming back to the Big Apple. Not exactly an efficient travel plan.

The week-and-a-half long stay at Shea Stadium had allowed the Mets to find their footing and appear more like a team ready to return to the World Series for the first time since 1986 — when Johnson manned the home dugout, not the opposing one.

Davey wasn’t the only familiar face reappearing in Flushing. There was fellow ’86 champ Kevin Elster as well as recent record-setting Met, Todd Hundley, who laid claim to the franchise single-season home run mark since 1996.

Each played a role on an afternoon far warmer, drier, and sunnier than it was 22 days earlier. Hundley accounted for the entirety of the Dodgers’ three hits against starter Pat Mahomes and a trio from the Mets bullpen. New York’s attack was muzzled too, and a scoreless tie carried into the bottom of the ninth.

With none out and runners on first and second, Jay Payton grounded to Elster at shortstop. Hoping to get the lead runner, Elster threw to third baseman Adrian Beltre. But Beltre had trouble locating the bag with his foot as he backpedaled, and instead tried to tag Melvin Mora.

Third base umpire Gerry Davis said no. Johnson raced out of the dugout in protest, chucking his chewing tobacco to the ground and getting tossed from the game. Davey’s irritations would only get worse.

Mora would soon be cut down at home on a forceout, but Matt Franco‘s bases-loaded grounder off the glove of reliever Terry Adams brought in pinch-runner Jon Nunnally for the game’s lone run.

“When I hit it, I thought it was a double play,” Franco said. “I was relieved to see it tip off his glove.”

The victory marked the eighth straight for the Mets, a streak that would continue a night later when the Reds came to town.

But the game itself was almost a subplot to the real storyline — one that interested Mets fans more than players. The Reds’ most prolific new acquisition was nearly New York’s. The Seattle Mariners had a trade in place the previous winter to send the superstar center fielder to Queens. Except Junior nixed the deal.

When Griffey made his Shea debut, Shea let him have it — booing him before each plate appearance and cheering loudly when he struck out looking to finish off the Mets’ 6-5 victory on April 25.

Satisfaction gave way to frustration for the remainder of the series, as Mets bats went silent in losses of 12-1 and 2-1, respectively. Fortunately, the team’s first stop on its serpentine road trip was the thin, cool air of Denver and Coors Field — a park renowned for offensive indulgence. Pitchers and purists just call it offensive.

Baseball? More like pinball.

The three games against the Rockies lived up to the stadium’s reputation. The Mets scored 32 runs on 50 hits over three games over the weekend series while winning twice.

The most egregious display of Colorado baseball’s worst qualities occurred in the Sunday finale. New York took a touchdown-sized lead into the bottom of the seventh and then an 11-3 advantage an inning later. Al Leiter, already at a disadvantage thanks to the atmosphere, was put in further harm by the Mets defense. An error by Rey Ordonez (his sixth on the year already) and a miscue by Nunnally helped to forge a six-run Rockies eighth.

Leiter had departed before the inning was over. He was credited with six runs allowed, a borderline Cy Young performance by Coors’ standards. The bullpen’s efforts to protect an 11-5 lead nearly evaporated. Turk Wendell loaded the bases. Then Dennis Cook surrendered a grand slam to Tom Goodwin — just this 14th homer in 10 big-league seasons.

Five more runs would be tacked on — including Alfonzo’s tenth hit in 13 at-bats — as the Mets survived, 14-11.

As the team left the Rockies’ five-year-old home and headed further west to check out the newest digs of the San Francisco Giants, Pac Bell Park, its manager acknowledged the beauty of the city but the unsightly nature about how games are played there.

“I’m glad we’re not coming back here,” Bobby Valentine said.

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