Your New Year's Day dose of Mets and Major League Baseball news, notes, and links.
Meet the Mets
According to Peter Gammons, the Yankees are out on shortstop Stephen Drew. That makes sense with Derek Jeter and Brendan Ryan on the team's roster and the possibility that they're still trying to get under that $189 million payroll in 2014. Still, that can't hurt the Mets' chances of landing Drew.
The latest stats on Hall of Fame voting over at Baseball Think Factory have Mike Piazza at 71.9 percent. He'll need to pick up a few points to hit the 75 percent required to get into the Hall.
Around Major League Baseball
Speaking of Hall of Fame ballots, Tom Tango is tracking and scoring ballots, and two local scribes have received perfect scores: David Lennon and Bob Klapisch.
The Houston Astros signed relief pitcher Jesse Crain to a one-year deal. He missed the second half of last season with a shoulder injury and is no sure thing to pitch in 2014, but he's another bullpen option off the board for the Mets, assuming they want to bring in a relief pitcher.
Friend of Amazin' Avenue Ted Berg posted a great tribute to 2013 on Instagram.
Yesterday at AA
I took a look at the differences between Stephen Drew and Ruben Tejada.
Aaron Yorke wrote up John Buck's 2013 season, while Jeff Kopman took a look at the year for Jenrry Mejia.
Jeffrey got his internet connection back, which means we have a new episode of Amazin' Avenue Audio for your ears.
James K. wrapped up the year in Amazin' Avenue. Maybe next year we'll get him to call it "This Year in Amazin' Avenue."
And last but not least, Joshua Ryan wrote up the tidbit from Peter Gammons on the Yankees and Stephen Drew.
