Your Friday morning dose of New York Mets and Major League Baseball news, notes, and links.
Meet the Mets
News broke on Wednesday that the Mets were designating Omar Quintanilla for assignment and calling Wilmer Flores back up to the majors. Since the 22-year-old Flores is expected to see some time at shortstop, Adam Rubin asked a scout about his defensive chops. The scout sounded like a bit of a jerk.
With Flores headed to the majors, it appears that the Mets are starting to shake things up and give younger players a chance. Here's a friendly reminder from Mike Vorkunov that top prospect Noah Syndergaard isn't a likely option for the big league bullpen.
The Mets' offense has gone in the tank lately, but there are reasons for optimism. A high line drive rate and a very low team BABIP could mean brighter days for the New York bats ahead.
Mike Vaccaro jumps on the bandwagon of writers who have lambasted the Mets' "Loyalty Oath" letter, even going so far as to suggest that the team's recent poor play is a result. The link is really worth clicking on, however, because of the bizarrely funny picture of David Wright at the top.
Around the NL East
The Marlins and Padres were tied 1-1 after 10 innings, so it was only a matter of time before Giancarlo Stanton won the game by crushing an opposite-field home run. That is one spicy taco. Also, a pair of Miami's Triple-A players got in a fight in a Nashville bar.
The Phillies just finished getting swept by the Blue Jays in four games spread over two countries. Next, they'll face the Mets, and one of the teams will stop losing for at least a day. Meanwhile, backup infielder Freddy Galvis was demoted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Oink.
Former Phillie and current National Kevin Frandsen caused quite the stir when he suggested that Anthony Rendon was Washington's best young player. Sure, most people would say that Bryce Harper is the team's best youngster, but considering Frandsen's opinion as an insult to Harper is stupid, writes Ted Berg.
Ben Duronio at Talking Chop worries about what will happen to Justin Upton's offensive game if he continues to swing and miss at pitches in the strike zone. Upton is off to a great start, but has been boosted by a .415 BABIP.
Atlanta is reportedly tiring of Dan Uggla and his .234 wOBA.
Around the Majors
Howard Megdal talked with R.A. Dickey about why knuckleball pitchers see their performance vary so wildly from year to year. What's it like to talk to R.A.? "It's like talking to an elite athlete shaggy dog who's an English professor." Excellent.
Nolan Arenado now is on the longest hitting streak in Rockies history. He got a hit last night to push himself past Michael Cuddyer's old 27-game mark.
Contrary to what the mainstream national media will tell you, Yankees vs. Red Sox isn't the only rivalry in baseball. Marc Normandin breaks down the best modern grudge matches.
Normandin also sees a big Red Sox trade in the making this summer.
The Yankees just announced that Joe Torre, Paul O'Neill, Goose Gossage and Tino Martinez would be honored with plaques in Monument Park, but are those really the best choices for enshrinement in the outfield? Steven Goldman writes that a certain former Mets manager might be getting shafted.
What's that smell? The Rangers have called up Rougned Odor, who was once reportedly asked for by the Mets in a proposed Carlos Beltran trade.
Yesterday at AA
The Mets traded for "Marvelous" Marv Thorneberry on this date in 1962.