Edgy MD

He's the guy, I believe, who had to steward the Astros scouting and drafting philosophy through years of sanctions.

It's like the world didn't even know it needed a cross between Lucas Duda and Chris Farley, and there this guy was.

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I read something recently that the distinction between POBO and GM is just a result of "position inflation". The POBO does what a GM used to do, and a GM does what an Assistant GM used to do. In the spirit of position inflation, strange things have been afoot on the training staff. I just realized that some time when we weren't looking, Brian Chicklo, who had carried the title of "head trainer," became the "director of player health. This allowed Joseph Golia, the erstwhile "assistant trainer" to pull a Mary Richards and become "head trainer." Dustin "The Wind" Clarke, who you may remember from such films as Strength and Conditioning Coach, is now starring in Performance Coach. And Sean Bardanett is not longer to be referred to as "physical therapist," thank you very much, but as "reconditioning coordinator." You can take that PT bullshit and get out of here. This all may have happened yesterday or a year ago. The Mets Roster Central staff is tasked with trying to figure it all out, but half of them are instead clamoring for inflated position titles of their own.

Guillorme and Vogelbach really fell into disuse the last month of the season. Really, Vogelbach did. Guillorme spent much of the second half hurt, with the Mets in no hurry to get him back on the field. When he finally came back, he appeared in one game and sat for another 10 days. He'll probably have a contract with somebody before the week is out.

There's no injured list in the off-season. Peterson is, by the rules, at the end of his contract and hoping for a new one.

He brings a strong beard game. He strikes me as having a lot of testosterone. The fifth outfielder that you almost forget about and then becomes unforgettably devastating in an extra-inning attrition battle or terrifying in a bench-clearing brawl.

That's certainly hard to dispute. This is certainly what I'd've hoped for, and would've advocated for if I thought it was meaningfully likely that the organization would be too proud to reverse course on a promotion decision maneuver. If I recall correctly, Barnes' promotion was largely a reaction to the notion that other teams were interested in him as (head) hitting coach, so they moved him up to keep from losing him. I guess after last season, there is less demand and/or less concern that he would be a big loss if he did jump.

One indeed can, no doubt.

Finished third, seventh, and out of the money, respectively, in https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1973.shtml#all_AL_CYA_votingCy Young Award voting that season.

Spencer Strider is hoping on finishing higher in the Seems-Like-a-Dickhead Award voting.

I think you'll find that snark only distorts the matter. Plenty of good data can be brought to bear with regard to Randolph's tenure. But he isn't being considered for manager, for what that's worth.

Sure they did. They bested everybody. And then they broke up a terrific team. A legendary team.

It's pretty typical for a first-time MLB manager to have a former manager as his second.

I'd be surprised if the park, like so many latter-day attractions in the area, wasn't jiggered to make sure fans spent as much time indoors as possible. I could foresee start times at 9:00 PM or even occasionally a midnight special, but that obviously wouldn't work when hosting an Eastern team. But I really wish that they'd just establish their own team.

Uninspiring week. Memo to back-page editors: Steve Cohen in a half-zip pullover is never, ever going to do it for me. Ever.

I've been wondering of late when it was that the bench coach became the de facto first lieutenant. There was a time when, if a team had a bench coach, his main role was legend-in-residence like Willie Mays (and later, Bob Gibson) with the Mets, and Yogi Berra with the Yankees. He presumably helped drill the team and all in pre-game practices, but if he had an in-game role, it was to look serious, representing major league gravitas to the players, and occasionally to take aside a player who was being a big baby and yell at him, so the manager didn't need to distract himself with that shit. The first lieutenant — and the guy most likely to get the lineup card if the manager was ejected — was generally considered to be the third-base coach. The guy didn't even have a title — he was just "Coach" in the program and the media guide. The notion of "Bench Coach" as a distinctive title evolved from that. I don't know when the change was — somewhere between 1985 and 1995, I guess — and now, every team has a BC, most having had experience skippering a big-league club themselves, and virtually all of them are understood to be the next in line if the manager is ejected or is unavailable for a game. But it wasn't always that way, kids! In fact, I'm pretty sure that, as late as 1999, when Bobby Valentine snuck into the dugout in disguise, his pitching coach Dave Wallace was nominally in charge.

We'll let the roster sit for a day, but let's do some catching up on these transactions that haven't been graphically represented. Thanks to the posters who have noted them in word. Transactions, 10/16/2023 [th]Direction[/th][td90]GOING[/td90][th]Transaction[/th][td90]Released[/td90][th]Position Group [/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th][/th][td90][fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2023/11/pena-herlyn-2023.png[/fimg][/td90][th]Name [/th][td90]Herlyn Peña [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Dominican_Republic.jpg[/fimg][/td90][th]DoB[/th][td90]2003-09-24[/td90][th]B/T[/th][td90]R/R[/td90][th]High Level[/th][td90]Rk (2023)[/td90] In his second season, Herlyn Peña's strikeouts dropped and his walks spiked, and that's not a formula for success. He had missed all of 2022 with surgery and the Mets weren't looking to be patient. Transactions, 10/17/2023 [th]Direction[/th][td90]GOING[/td90][th]Transaction[/th][td90]Released[/td90][th]Position Group [/th][th]=#FFC2C2] Outfielder[/th][th][/th][td90][fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2023/11/mejia-gerald-2023.png[/fimg][/td90][th]Name [/th][td90]Gerald Mejia [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Dominican_Republic.jpg[/fimg][/td90][th]DoB[/th][td90]2003-06-14[/td90][th]B/T[/th][td90]S/R[/td90][th]High Level[/th][td90]Rk (2023)[/td90] Gerry Mejia had good speed, fantastic walk rates, and the ability to hit to all fields, but he kept getting hurt and put up low batting averages when healthy. Transactions, 10/27/2023 [th]Direction[/th][td90]GOING[/td90][th]Transaction[/th][td90]Released[/td90][th]Position Group [/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th][/th][td90][fimg=90]https://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg][/td90][th]Name [/th][td90]Rogert Cortez [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/venezuelan-flag-small.jpg[/fimg][/td90][th]DoB[/th][td90]2005-09-15[/td90][th]B/T[/th][td90]L/L[/td90][th]High Level[/th][td90]DSL (2023)[/td90] Rogert Cortez was mostly known for the extraneous T at the end of his first name. His career consisted of only eight games in the Dominican Summer League. Transactions, 10/30/2023 [th]Direction[/th][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][th]Transaction[/th][td90]Released[/td90][td90]Released[/td90][td90]Released[/td90][td90]Released[/td90][td90]Released[/td90][td90]Released[/td90][td90]Released[/td90][th]Position Group [/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th][/th][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/c_fill,g_auto/w_180/v1/people/689876/headshot/milb/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://metsinpeace.files.wordpress.com/2023/01/henriquez-ramon-2023.png[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/c_fill,g_auto/w_180/v1/people/683874/headshot/milb/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/c_fill,g_auto/w_180/v1/people/687953/headshot/milb/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/c_fill,g_auto/w_180/v1/people/691703/headshot/milb/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/c_fill,g_auto/w_180/v1/people/689487/headshot/milb/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/c_fill,g_auto/w_180/v1/people/700359/headshot/milb/current[/fimg][/td90][th]Name [/th][td90]Dylan Hall [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]Ramón Henriquez [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Dominican_Republic.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90]Elliot Johnstone [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]Matt Minnick [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]Luis Montas [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Dominican_Republic.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90]Joe Joe Rodriguez [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]Luis A. Rodriguez [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Dominican_Republic.jpg[/fimg][/td90][th]DoB[/th][td90]1997-09-07[/td90][td90]6/29/99[/td90][td90]1998-09-24[/td90][td90]1996-03-11[/td90][td90]2000-09-16[/td90][td90]1999-10-12[/td90][td90]2003-02-27[/td90][th]B/T[/th][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/L[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][th]High Level[/th][td90]AAA (2023)[/td90][td90]A (2023)[/td90][td90]A (2023)[/td90][td90]AAA (2023)[/td90][td90]A+ (2023)[/td90][td90]A+ (2023)[/td90][td90]A+ (2023)[/td90][th]Direction[/th][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][th]Transaction[/th][td90]Released[/td90][td90]Released[/td90][td90]Released[/td90][td90]Released[/td90][td90]Released[/td90][td90]Released[/td90][td90]Released[/td90][th]Position Group [/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#BF80FF] Infielder[/th][th]=#BF80FF] Infielder[/th][th]=#FFC2C2] Outfielder[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th][/th][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/c_fill,g_auto/w_180/v1/people/679013/headshot/milb/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/c_fill,g_auto/w_180/v1/people/682452/headshot/milb/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/c_fill,g_auto/w_180/v1/people/686634/headshot/milb/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/c_fill,g_auto/w_180/v1/people/683364/headshot/milb/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2023/11/palacios-jonaiker-2023.png[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/c_fill,g_auto/w_180/v1/people/693709/headshot/milb/current[/fimg][/td90][th]Name [/th][td90]Sammy Tavarez [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Dominican_Republic.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90]César Berbesi [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/venezuelan-flag-small.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90]Chase Estep [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]Carlos Dominguez [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Dominican_Republic.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90]Pedro Mercedes [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Dominican_Republic.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90]Jonaiker Palacios [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/venezuelan-flag-small.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90]Christopher Vasquez [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Dominican_Republic.jpg[/fimg][/td90][th]DoB[/th][td90]1998-10-20[/td90][td90]2000-04-13[/td90][td90]2000-04-12[/td90][td90]1999-10-11[/td90][td90]2001-10-31[/td90][td90]392003-05-07[/td90][td90]2001-03-17[/td90][th]B/T[/th][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]L/R[/td90][td90]L/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][th]High Level[/th][td90]AA (2023)[/td90][td90]AAA (2023)[/td90][td90]AAA (2023)[/td90][td90]A+ (2023)[/td90][td90]Rk (2023)[/td90][td90]Rk (2023)[/td90][td90]A (2023)[/td90][th]Direction[/th][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][th]Transaction[/th][td90]Released[/td90][td90]Released[/td90][td90]Released[/td90][td90]Released[/td90][td90]Released[/td90][td90]Released[/td90][td90]Released[/td90][th]Position Group [/th][th]=#00BF00] Catcher[/th][th]=#00BF00] Catcher[/th][th]=#BF80FF] Infielder[/th][th]=#BF80FF] Infielder[/th][th]=#BF80FF] Infielder[/th][th]=#FFC2C2] Outfielder[/th][th]=#FFC2C2] Outfielder[/th][th][/th][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/c_fill,g_auto/w_180/v1/people/691648/headshot/milb/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/c_fill,g_auto/w_180/v1/people/682655/headshot/milb/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/c_fill,g_auto/w_180/v1/people/683619/headshot/milb/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2023/11/perera-yordis-2023.png[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/c_fill,g_auto/w_180/v1/people/684495/headshot/milb/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg][/td90][th]Name [/th][td90]Gregory Leal [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/venezuelan-flag-small.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90]Fernando Villalobs [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/mexico-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]Luis Castillo [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Dominican_Republic.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90]Manuel Guance [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Dominican_Republic.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90]Yordis Perera [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/cuba-flag.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90]Dyron Campos [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/venezuelan-flag-small.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90]Eric Santana [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Dominican_Republic.jpg[/fimg][/td90][th]DoB[/th][td90]2003-02-14[/td90][td90]2002-06-24[/td90][td90]2001-11-13[/td90][td90]2003-11-06[/td90][td90]2002-05-24[/td90][td90]2000-12-26[/td90][td90]2002-11-02[/td90][th]B/T[/th][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]L/R[/td90][td90]L/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]S/R[/td90][th]High Level[/th][td90]AA (2022)[/td90][td90]A+ (2022)[/td90][td90]A (2023)[/td90][td90]Rk (2023)[/td90][td90]Rk (2023)[/td90][td90]A+ (2023)[/td90][td90]Rk (2023)[/td90] Cesar Berbesi and Chase Estep were near the top of the Mets system, and weren't quite out of time. But we guess they were in somebody's way. We have such a blurry picture of Jonaiker Palacios because the best we could find was a video capture of him pitching on a rainy day. But he got the save and accentuated it with a Jenrry Mejia stomp, so there's that. It's hard to say why the photo of Ramón Henriquez is so crappy. Pedro Mercedes, Manuel Guance, and Eric Santana all failed the test of sustaining their professional careers long enough to leave behind photographic evidence that said careers happened at all. Santana hit .172, .151, and .143 over parts of three seasons, so you might say the statistical evidence was pretty scant also. Transactions, 11/3/2023 [th]Direction[/th][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][th]Transaction[/th][td90]Released[/td90][td90]Released[/td90][td90]Released[/td90][td90]Released[/td90][td90]Released[/td90][td90]Released[/td90][td90]Released[/td90][th]Position Group [/th][th]Starting Pitcher[/th][th]Starting Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th][/th][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/c_fill,g_auto/w_180/v1/people/656478/headshot/milb/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/brandon-connor-2023.png[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2023/11/rodriguez-arlison-2023.png[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg][/td90][th]Name [/th][td90]Cole Gordon [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]Ellian Núñez [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Dominican_Republic.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90]Connor Brandon [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]Yeudi Lora [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Dominican_Republic.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90]Arlison Rodriguez [fimg=50]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/curacao-flag.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90]Frelianderson Seijas [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/venezuelan-flag-small.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90]Mathieu Voros [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/canada-flag.jpg[/fimg][/td90][th]DoB[/th][td90]1995-10-02[/td90][td90]2003-12-08[/td90][td90]2001-03-26[/td90][td90]2003-08-25[/td90][td90]2003-03-05[/td90][td90]2001-03-26[/td90][td90]2003-05-24[/td90][th]B/T[/th][td90]L/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]L/L[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]L/R[/td90][th]High Level[/th][td90]AAA (2023)[/td90][td90]DSL (2023)[/td90][td90]Rk (2023)[/td90][td90]DSL (2023)[/td90][td90]DSL (2023)[/td90][td90]DSL (2023)[/td90][td90]None[/td90][th]Direction[/th][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][th]Transaction[/th][td90]Released[/td90][td90]Released[/td90][th]Position Group[/th][th]=#00BF00] Catcher[/th][th]=#BF80FF] Infielder[/th][th][/th][td90][fimg=90]https://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/c_fill,g_auto/w_180/v1/people/675974/headshot/milb/current[/fimg][/td90][th]Name [/th][td90]José Marcano [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/venezuelan-flag-small.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90]Kevin Kendall [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][th]DoB[/th][td90]2004-05-06[/td90][td90]1999-06-25[/td90][th]B/T[/th][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]L/R[/td90][th]High Level[/th][td90]DSL (2023)[/td90][td90]A+ (2023)[/td90] Well, you may weep for this further batch of minor league releaserinos, but save your biggest tears for Greco-Canadian prospect Mathieu Voros, who somehow played out his career with no photos and no appearances. I hope the bonus translated well into Canadian dollars, but even if it didn't, he can always frame the check. Frelianderson Seijas, similarly, had hoped for lasting fame as the Met with the longest name, but he walked 17 in 22 innings this season, and now that name is just another pain in the ass when he needs to fill out forms. Transactions, 11/6/2023 [th]Direction[/th][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][th]Transaction [/th][td90] Cleared Waivers and Sent to Syracuse[/td90][td90] Opted for Minor League Free Agency[/td90][td90] Opted for Minor League Free Agency[/td90][td90]Cleared Waivers, Assigned to Syracuse, and Refused Assignment, Becoming Free Agent[/td90][td90] Opted for Minor League Free Agency[/td90][td90]Cleared Waivers, Assigned to Syracuse, and Refused Assignment, Becoming Free Agent[/td90][td90]Cleared Waivers, Assigned to Syracuse, and Refused Assignment, Becoming Free Agent[/td90][th]Position Group [/th][th]Starting Pitcher[/th][th]Starting Pitcher[/th][th]Starting Pitcher[/th][th]Starting Pitcher[/th][th]Starting Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th][/th][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/d_people:generic:headshot:67:current.png/w_213,q_auto:best/v1/people/685410/headshot/67/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/666658/headshot/milb/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/670119/headshot/milb/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/d_people:generic:headshot:67:current.png/w_213,q_auto:best/v1/people/660593/headshot/67/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/c_fill,g_auto/w_180/v1/people/676019/headshot/milb/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/d_people:generic:headshot:67:current.png/w_213,q_auto:best/v1/people/595928/headshot/67/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/d_people:generic:headshot:67:current.png/w_213,q_auto:best/v1/people/622694/headshot/67/current[/fimg][/td90][th]Name [/th][td90]Peyton Battenfield [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]José Chacin [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/venezuelan-flag-small.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90]Connor Grey [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]Denyi Reyes [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Dominican_Republic.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90]Oscar Rojas [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/mexico-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]John Curtiss [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]Elieser Hernández [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/venezuelan-flag-small.jpg[/fimg][/td90][th]DoB[/th][td90]8/10/97[/td90][td90]3/25/97[/td90][td90]5/6/94[/td90][td90]11/2/96[/td90][td90]5/5/99[/td90][td90]4/5/93[/td90][td90]8/14/95[/td90][th]B/T[/th][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]L/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][th]High Level[/th][td90]MLB (2023)[/td90][td90]MLB (2022)[/td90][td90]MLB (2022)[/td90][td90]MLB (2023)[/td90][td90]AAA (2021)[/td90][td90]MLB (2023)[/td90][td90]AA (2022)[/td90][th]Direction[/th][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][th]Transaction [/th][td90] Cleared Waivers and Sent to Syracuse[/td90][td90] Declines Option, Becoming Free Agent[/td90][td90] Opted for Minor League Free Agency[/td90][td90] Opted for Minor League Free Agency[/td90][td90] Opted for Minor League Free Agency[/td90][td90] Opted for Minor League Free Agency[/td90][td90]Cleared Waivers, Assigned to Syracuse, and Refused Assignment, Becoming Free Agent[/td90][th]Position Group [/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#00BF00] Catcher[/th][th]=#BF80FF] Infielder[/th][th]=#FFC2C2] Outfielder[/th][th]=#FFC2C2] Outfielder[/th][th][/th][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/d_people:generic:headshot:67:current.png/w_213,q_auto:best/v1/people/656755/headshot/67/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/d_people:generic:headshot:67:current.png/w_213,q_auto:best/v1/people/493603/headshot/67/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/c_fill,g_auto/w_180/v1/people/676344/headshot/milb/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://www.milb.com/images/silhouette/180x270.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/d_people:generic:headshot:67:current.png/w_213,q_auto:best/v1/people/606299/headshot/67/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/c_fill,g_auto/w_180/v1/people/661411/headshot/milb/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/d_people:generic:headshot:67:current.png/w_213,q_auto:best/v1/people/641796/headshot/67/current[/fimg][/td90][th]Name [/th][td90]Bryce Montes de Oca [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]Adam Ottavino [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]Marcel Renteria [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]José Mena [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Dominican_Republic.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90]José Peraza [fimg=50]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/venezuelan-flag-small.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90]Lorenzo Cedrola [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/venezuelan-flag-small.jpg[/fimg][/td90][td90]Tim Locastro [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][th]DoB[/th][td90]4/23/96[/td90][td90]11/22/85[/td90][td90]9/27/94[/td90][td90]12/22/96[/td90][td90]4/30/94[/td90][td90]1/12/98[/td90][td90]7/14/92[/td90][th]B/T[/th][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]S/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][th]High Level[/th][td90]MLB (2022)[/td90][td90]MLB (2023)[/td90][td90]AA (2023)[/td90][td90]AAA (2023)[/td90][td90]MLB (2021)[/td90][td90]MLB (2023)[/td90][td90]MLB (2023)[/td90][th]Direction[/th][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]=#000000]NEUTRAL[/td90][td90]=#008410]COMING[/td90][td90]=#008410]COMING[/td90][th]Transaction [/th][td90]Opted for Minor League Free Agency[/td90][td90]Opted for Minor League Free Agency[/td90][td90] Transferred from Infield[/td90][td90]Added to Projected Roster[/td90][td90]Claimed off Waivers from DET[/td90][th]Position Group [/th][th]=#FFC2C2] Outfielder[/th][th]=#FFC2C2] Outfielder[/th][th]=#FFC2C2] Outfielder[/th][th]Starting Pitcher[/th][th]=#BF80FF] Infielder[/th][th][/th][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/w_180,g_auto,c_fill/v1/people/594953/headshot/milb/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/c_fill,g_auto/w_180/v1/people/672361/headshot/milb/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/d_people:generic:headshot:67:current.png/w_213,q_auto:best/v1/people/668901/headshot/67/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/d_people:generic:headshot:67:current.png/w_213,q_auto:best/v1/people/656731/headshot/67/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/d_people:generic:headshot:67:current.png/w_213,q_auto:best/v1/people/670097/headshot/67/current[/fimg][/td90][th]Name [/th][td90]Daniel Palka [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]Agustin Ruíz [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/mexico-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]Mark Vientos [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]Tylor Megill [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]Zack Short [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][th]DoB[/th][td90]10/28/91[/td90][td90]9/23/89[/td90][td90]12/11/99[/td90][td90]7/28/95[/td90][td90]1995-05-29[/td90][th]B/T[/th][td90]L/L[/td90][td90]L/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][th]High Level[/th][td90]MLB (2019)[/td90][td90]AA (2023)[/td90][td90]MLB (2023)[/td90][td90]MLB (2023)[/td90][td90]MLB (2023)[/td90] Among another merciless and bloody round of minor league exiles is some action with immediate MLB consequences as Tim Locastro cleared waivers and declared for the free-agent market. The Mets have had mostly bad luck in their efforts to keep one designated superspeed guy around each season in recent years, with most such figures running into injuries, limited roles, and or limited success, but Locastro played hard and decent before and after his long absence due to injury, absorbed some hit-by-pitches, and was a perfect six-for-six in steals. His departure leaves the Mets with only four MLB outfielders — and that's really three and a half when you count the always-roving Jeff McNeil — so we're forced for now to shoehorn Mark Vientos into the back end of the team's outfield picture. That's a picture that could change soon, but that's where we are. Newly arrived Zach Short, in that scenario becomes the team's extra sixth infielder. Transactions, 11/8/2023 [th]Direction[/th][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]=#008410]COMING[/td90][th]Transaction [/th][td90]Removed from Projected Roster following Left Hip Surgery, Projected to Open Season on Injured List[/td90][td90] Added to Projected Roster[/td90][th]Position Group [/th][th]Starting Pitcher[/th][th]Starting Pitcher[/th][th][/th][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/d_people:generic:headshot:67:current.png/w_213,q_auto:best/v1/people/656849/headshot/67/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/d_people:generic:headshot:67:current.png/w_213,q_auto:best/v1/people/676130/headshot/67/current[/fimg][/td90][th]Name [/th][td90]David Peterson [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]José Butto [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/venezuelan-flag-small.jpg[/fimg][/td90][th]DoB[/th][td90]9/3/95[/td90][td90]1998-03-19[/td90][th]B/T[/th][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][th]High Level[/th][td90]MLB (2023)[/td90][td90]MLB (2023)[/td90] Nothing against the Buttman, but this is straight-up subtraction. There may or may not be that much difference between the two of them, but the rotation is thin enough that they kind of need both. Get back soon, DP. Transactions, 11/9/2023 [th]Direction[/th][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]=#008410]COMING[/td90][th]Transaction [/th][td90] Signed Away by DET[/td90][td90]Added to Projected Staff from Binghamton[/td90][th]Position Group [/th][th]=#C00000]Third Base Coach[/th][th]=#C00000]Third Base Coach[/th][th][/th][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/d_people:generic:headshot:83:current.png/ar_1:1,c_pad,b_auto:border/r_max/w_180,q_auto:best/v1/people/112664/headshot/83/coach/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2023/11/brigniac-reid-2023-circle.png[/fIMG][/td90][th]Name [/th][td90]Joey Cora [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Puerto_Rico.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]Reid Brignac [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][th]DoB[/th][td90]5/14/65[/td90][td90]1986-01-16[/td90] The Mets booth didn't let up this season on reminding us that Joey Cora was "the best in the biz" even though both his aggressiveness and success rate seemed down this season (to our eyeballs, anyhow). Reid Brignac is the manager of the Binghamton squad, but he has a Playboy playmate for a wife, so he clearly has ambitions to follow that MLB playing career with some big-time dugout work. Transactions, 11/13/2023 [th]Direction[/th][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]=#000000]NEUTRAL[/td90][td90]=#000000]NEUTRAL[/td90][td90]=#008410]COMING[/td90][th]Transaction [/th][td90]Removed from Projected Coaching Staff[/td90][td90] Transferred from Projected Bench Coach[/td90][td90] Transferred from Projected Manager[/td90][td90] Hired Away from NYY[/td90][th]Position Group [/th][th]=#C00000]Binghamton Manager[/th][th]=#C00000]Projected Third Base Coach[/th][th]=#C00000]Projected Bench Coach[/th][th]=#C00000] Manager[/th][th][/th][td90][fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2023/11/brigniac-reid-2023-circle.png[/fIMG][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2023/04/scott-dick-b-2023-1.png[/fIMG][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/d_people:generic:headshot:83:current.png/ar_1:1,c_pad,b_auto:border/r_max/w_180,q_auto:best/v1/people/136767/headshot/83/coach/current[/fIMG][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2023/11/mendoza-carlos-2023-circle.png[/fIMG][/td90][th]Name [/th][td90]Reid Brignac [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]Dick Scott [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]Eric Chávez [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]Carlos Mendoza [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/venezuelan-flag-small.jpg[/fimg][/td90][th]DoB[/th][td90]1986-01-16[/td90][td90]1962-07-19[/td90][td90]1977-12-07[/td90][td90]1979-11-27[/td90] It looks like Reid's ambitions will have to nonetheless be on hold for a bit, as the Mets here, as the Mets make Carlos Mendoza the third-(we think)-ever MLB manager from Venezuela. Transactions, 11/14/2023 [th]Direction[/th][td90]GOING[/td90][td90]=#008410]COMING[/td90][td90]=#008410]COMING[/td90][th]Transaction [/th][td90]Claimed off Waivers by ATL[/td90][td90]Added to Projected Roster[/td90][td90] Added to 40-Player Roster[/td90][th]Position Group [/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[/th][th]=#FFC2C3] Outfielder[/th][th][/th][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/d_people:generic:headshot:67:current.png/w_213,q_auto:best/v1/people/682171/headshot/67/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-photos/image/upload/d_people:generic:headshot:67:current.png/w_213,q_auto:best/v1/people/656322/headshot/67/current[/fimg][/td90][td90][fimg=90]https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2019/08/ramirez-alexander-2019-1.jpg[/fimg][/td90][th]Name [/th][td90]Penn Murfee [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]Sam Coonrod [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/US-flag.png[/fimg][/td90][td90]Alex Ramirez [fimg=50]https://thecranepool.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Dominican_Republic.jpg[/fimg][/td90][th]DoB[/th][td90]5/2/94[/td90][td90]1992-09-22[/td90][td90]2003-01-13[/td90][th]B/T[/th][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][td90]R/R[/td90][th]High Level[/th][td90]MLB (2023)[/td90][td90]MLB (2023)[/td90][td90]A+ (2023)[/td90] We're not scouts, but based on careers in review, we had Murfee ranked number four in the Mets bullpen, so we're as chagrined as any to see him lost on waivers. If the Mets felt compelled to waive somebody, we'd have suggested Coonrod, who has cleared waivers before, and here is added to the projected staff (over Jeff Brigham, Josh Walker, and Grant Hartwig) mainly because he is the one out of options. Someone in the front office likes him, or so it seems.

"We're so proud to represent the people of Las Vegas, and look forward to sending our best talent to the Yankees, in the great tradition of the Philadelphia, Kansas City, and Oakland Athletics."

Slick Vic is a welcome sight.

I imagine there will be inquiries. They will most likely inquire after any available pitcher of merit. That salary is pretty stunning, considering the only time he's even approached a full season of work was in the short and dubious season of 2020.

I offered it to a damn fine forum.

That is correct (though you should answer with more confidence!). Brandon Hyde of the Orioles joined the club yesterday, winning 2023 AL Manager of the Year. Skip Schumaker of the Marlins is your National League winner.

The Braves have grabbed the baton for the next leg of the Penn relays, as Atlanta claimed Murfee off waivers from the Mets yesterdoo.

Number one is the first of the two items we are looking for. All of these guys became MLB managers despite never playing MLB ball.

You're at least modestly warm. You're certainly not as cold as you might otherwise be. But what we're looking for isn't as obscure as all that.