Your Thursday morning dose of Mets and Major League Baseball news, notes, and links.
Meet the Mets
Keith Law announced his rankings of the top farm systems with the Mets landing at four. Ahead of them were the Astros, Twins, and Cubs. He cites the Mets for being deep in arms and bats "especially guys who might play in the middle of the diamond or pitch in the top three spots of major league rotation."
It's good that the Mets have a strong farm system, as they probably need several more young players to come through in the near future because of their low payroll. Ken Rosenthal asked new commissioner Rob Manfred about that in an interview that came out last night.
The Mets came to an agreement with Jenrry Mejia to avoid arbitration, reported Jon Heyman. The deal is worth $2.595 million.
Jon Heyman put out his offseason winners and losers for MLB teams. He listed the Mets as losers largely due to their inability or lack of effort to make a trade to acquire a shortstop.
Baseball Prospectus released its annual PECOTA projections. The Mets were given a slight bump from 2014 by being projected to finish second in the National League East at 82-80.
Around the National League East
After trading Tyler Clippard to the A's, the Nationals went out and signedCasey Janssen to a one-year deal. The contract is worth $5 million with a mutual option.
The Marlins are following a new strategy this offseason to win games in 2015. The team is declining to give out big contracts to non-star players and building around Giancarlo Stanton. This could have ramifications on whether they ultimately decide to sign James Shields.
The Braves have a problem in the form of Mike Minor. At age 27 Minor is coming off a poor 2014 season, Minor does not fit into the rebuild the front office initiated this offseason. Ian Morris of Talking Chop discusses what the Braves could look to do with him.
Former Phillies President David Montgomery returned to duties with the team after taking a leave of absence to fight cancer. However, his fill-in David Gillick will retain the title of president.
Around Major League Baseball
Bill Petti's second part of his look at how baseball teams can better use analytics and data is up at the Hardball Times. If you missed the first part, here it is.
Baseball is in the best shape of its life, writes Craig Calcaterra. Thanks to the MLBAM digital business and regional network deals, MLB could eclipse the NFL for earnings in the coming years.
Cuban shortstop Yoan Moncada's status could clear up soon. The issue appears to be confusion between MLB and the Office of Foreign Asset Controls.
The Angelsavoided arbitration with David Freese. The third baseman signed a one-year deal worth $6.425 million.
The White SoxsignedGordon Beckham to a one-year deal worth $2 million. Beckham spent the first five-and-a-half years of his career with the White Sox before being traded in August to the Angels.
Veteran catcher John Bakersigned a minor league deal with the Mariners. Baker spent the 2014 season with the Cubs.
Yesterday at AA
Matt Varvaro continued his series on overlooked and underrated players in Mets history with relief pitchers. Many names are featured but the most recent include Elmer Dessens, Roberto Hernandez, and Aaron Heilman.
Today in Mets History
On this day in 1989 the stat "Game Winning RBI" was discontinued. The record for this stat, which attempted to put a value on clutch ability, is held by Keith Hernandez.