Your Thursday morning dose of New York Mets and MLB news, notes, and links.
Meet the Mets
The Mets added another aging reliever, inking former Tigers closer Jose Valverde to a minor-league deal. Valverde only pitched 19.1 innings in 2013, and while he recorded 19 strikeouts, he also allowed six homers on his way to a 5.59 ERA, so yeah.
Lucas Duda is in much better shape this year after attending fitness camp, and is prepared for a first base competition with Ike Davis, telling Adam Rubin "Let the chips fall way they may."
John Lannan will be fully healthy as he attempts to win a role as the Mets fifth starter.
The Stephen Drew Saga, Day 9,504: The Red Sox are only willing to offer him a one-year contract, but Drew wants at least one year and an option.
Around the Majors
Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter announced that he will retire after 2014. Despite the hyperbolic praise that will come his way and the endless snarking opportunities, Jeter is still a first-ballot Hall of Famer and one of the best hitting shortstops ever.
Andy Martino looks back at the relationship between Jeter and Alex Rodriguez and how it changed over the years.
David Wright had nothing but praise for Jeter.
Jeter's announcement may lead the Yankees to pursue Drew.
A potential shortstop for the Mets is off the board, as the Dodgersagreed to terms with Erisbel Arruebarruena.
The Phillies made a big move, as they signedA.J. Burnett to a one-year, $16 million deal. Burnett posted a 3.41 ERA/3.17 FIP/3.17 xFIP in 393.1 innings for the Pirates the last two seasons. However, they only offered him $12 million to return in 2014.
That move may have been spurred by the news that Cole Hamels will miss the start of the season with biceps tendinitis
The Mariners also received bad news about one of their top starters, as Hisashi Iwakuma has a strained tendon in his hand and will not throw for four-to-six weeks.
The Rays and Nationals are still discussing a Jose Lobaton trade.
Yesterday At AA
Rob Castellano continued his series on the Mets top prospects, this time looking at #15-11.
Zack Drisko, Jeff Kopman, and Chris McShane wroteseasonpreviews on Kyle Farnsworth, Travis d'Arnaud, and Chris Young respectively.
On episode 53 of the AA Podcast, Jeffrey Paternostro and Matthew Callan talked about Ralph Kiner, among other things.
If you read an article or find a link that you think would be a great addition to a future edition of Mets Morning News, please forward it to our tips email address tips@grission.com and we'll try to add it in.
