Your Friday morning dose of New York Mets and Major League Baseball news, notes, and links.
Meet the Mets
Yesterday the Mets announced that former Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long will fill that role with the Mets in 2015. The Yankees are footing part of the bill, which is always nice.
Mike Vorkunov has six things you should know about Long heading into next season.
The Mets also announced that Dustin Clarke will be the team's new strength and conditioning coach.
Joe Janish checks out the free agent market for minor league infielders.
Mets 360 asks who was the least valuable Met of 2014.
Rising Apple wonders if the Mets should look for a speedy, more defensive-minded outfielder instead of Michael Cuddyer this winter.
The 7 Line calendar in 2015 will feature a beauty who is not a conventional model.
Around the NL East
Although he recently turned down the Braves general manager job, John Hart was named the club's president of baseball operations. Assistant GM John Coppolella could be given the title of GM in the near future, but either way, both men will be prominent in baseball decision making for the Braves.
Outfielder Grady Sizemore and relief pitcher Cesar Jimenez have been re-signed by the Phillies.
I know this is going to bum everyone out, but Philadelphia probably won't be relevant until 2017.
The Marlins Man is starting to make a name for himself thanks to some pretty sweet seats at the World Series. It's safe to say he'll fit in much better if he decides to make the trip to San Francisco.
Around the Majors
There was no Major League Baseball played last night. The Giants and Royals will resume the World Series tonight at 8:07 p.m. at AT&T Park in San Francisco. Jeremy Guthrie will start for Kansas City and Tim Hudson will start for the home team.
Steven Goldman shows us how the Giants and Royals are playing in a sabermetric World Series, no matter what anyone says.
While Ned Yost's bullpen may be his greatest asset, Bruce Bochy must overcome the Giants' relief staff if he hopes to bring home another title to the Bay Area.
Craig Calcaterra wonders why anyone cares that the World Series doesn't do well in TV ratings.
Here's a cool visual on why the Royals' outfield is so darn good.
Yesterday at AA
On this date in the year 2000, the Mets won their first World Series game since 1986.