Your Wednesday morning dose of New York Mets and Major League Baseball news, notes, and links.
Meet the Mets
The Mets had a secret meeting with Jay-Z regarding Robinson Cano on Monday evening. The meeting was surprising but it sounds like it was planned by Cano's camp. The second baseman landing with the Mets would be a huge shock considering Sandy Alderson's recent comments regarding $100 million contracts. The Yankees, meanwhile, say there's no reason to talk with Cano now even with the Mets talking to him. I don't blame them for not flinching.
Alderson says the Mets' payroll is expected to be above $87 million in 2014. Apparently, a Mets official believes that Jacoby Ellsbury and Shin-Soo Choo will not receive contract worth $100 million. I don't know if I buy it but let's hope this is true.
The Mets added first baseman Brandon Allen on a minor league deal yesterday. The soon to be 28 year old has tremendous raw power but has been unable to put things together at the big league level. At the least, he seems like a nice bat for Las Vegas.
LaTroy Hawkins is a Colorado Rockie and the Mets are comfortable with the offer they made to the reliever.
Ruben Tejada's potential grievance may be more of a union issue than a Mets issue, in that it may be a way to get other players to arbitration eligibility. Tejada, along with Lucas Duda, Wilmer Flores, 1st rounder Dominic Smith, and 3 other prospects attended a four week fitness camp in Michigan.
The 40-man roster deadline is today and the Mets are still debating who to add. It sounds like they're deciding between 3 or 4 prospects to add.
Baseball America has Trackman data from the AFL and Toby Hyde passes along some notes on Mets pitchers. There were some good ones for Jeurys Familia and Chasen Bradford and bad ones for Hansel Robles.
Daniel Murphy will be the Mets' Santa Claus this winter, meaning he's likely to be gone in the next few months.
Around the Majors
A pair of free agents inked deals last night as Josh Johnson signed with the Padres for a year at $8 million. Meanwhile, the Indianssigned veteran outfielder David Murphy to a two year deal worth around $10 million.
Jason Brannon passes along three baseball conventions that went extinct.
We're getting closer to the December 2nd non-tender deadline, so which useful players to the Mets could be cut lose by their teams by that date?
Another Cuban ballplayer has defected as 23-year old shortstop Erisbel Arruebarruena is coming over to the states. Arruebarruena is a defensive wizard with a poor bat and a seemingly unpronounceable last name.
Former big leaguer Gabe Kaplerwrote about hazing and bullying in the major leagues.
Yesterday At AA
Matthew Callan wrote about how the road to signing in the Bronx often goes through Flushing first.
Rob Castellano wrote about trading Cy Young winners.
Greg Karam asks whether the Mets should move Lucas Duda or Ike Davis.
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.