Cowtipper

Off to the Nationals on a minor league deal. Final Mets line: 6 years, 12-13 W-L, 191 G, 3.48 ERA, 115 ERA+, 9.3 K/9 Not too shabby.

If we're talking front-end guys, even relatively, the 1990s had quite a few. David Segui, Carl Everett, Mike Remlinger, Paul Byrd, Shane Halter. The mid-1990s Mets were chock full of guys that I never ever ever ever equate with being Mets. Just look at the 1995 pitching staff. That alone had a bunch. Blas Minor...really? Doug Henry...really? Jerry DiPoto...really? The aforementioned Paul Byrd...really? And they all pitched for the club in 1996, too!

If we're mentioning Trot Nixon, might as well go with Jeff Conine. Jeff Conine was a Met? Yup, he was.

Bill Slack died. https://www.lewiscrematoryandfuneralservices.com/obituary/William-Slack Who was Bill Slack? Bill Slack (1933–2025) was a Canadian professional baseball pitcher, manager, and coach whose five-decade career was spent almost entirely in minor league baseball. Born in Petrolia, Ontario, he signed with the Boston Red Sox organization in 1952 after briefly playing minor professional hockey in the Montreal Canadiens system. Though he never reached Major League Baseball, Slack compiled a solid minor league pitching record (79–63, 3.45 ERA) and was also known as a strong-hitting pitcher in his early years. He later reached the highest minor league levels, including stints in the Pacific Coast League and American Association. Slack made his greatest impact as a manager and pitching instructor. He managed for more than two decades in the Red Sox farm system—most notably with Winston-Salem, where he won multiple league titles—and later served as a pitching coach in the Atlanta Braves organization. Over his managerial career, he won more than 1,100 games and captured five league championships. Inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002, Slack remained a respected figure in minor league baseball and in Winston-Salem, where a community service award is presented in his honor. He died in 2025 at age 92 in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina.

Takayuki Hata, a left-handed pitcher from Hita, Oita, played nine seasons in Nippon Pro Baseball with the Nishitetsu Lions and Chunichi Dragons, appearing in multiple Nippon Series and an All-Star Game. He passed away in August 2025, finishing his career with a 56-50 record, a 3.06 ERA, 731 strikeouts, and 1,002 innings pitched. Akira Kawahara, an Oita-born pitcher, played eight seasons in Nippon Pro Baseball for the Nishitetsu Lions and Taiyo Whales, logging 974⅓ innings with 597 strikeouts. He passed away on August 15, 2025, finishing his career with a 41-76 record and a 4.25 ERA. Katsutoshi Miyadera, a Tokyo-born catcher, played 11 seasons in Nippon Pro Baseball, primarily with the Nishitetsu Lions, earning All-Star selections in 1967 and 1973. He passed away on May 20, 2025, leaving a career batting line of .215/.264/.333 with 42 home runs. Keisuke Okamoto, a left-handed player from Minamiawaji, Hyogo, spent nine seasons in Nippon Pro Baseball, transitioning from pitcher to position player and finishing with 37 home runs. He passed away on December 7, 2025, leaving a career batting line of .244/.303/.389 with 288 hits. Kazutoshi Yamada, a Nagoya-born infielder, played eight seasons in Nippon Pro Baseball with the Chunichi Dragons and Hiroshima Carp, later serving as a coach in both organizations. He passed away on August 16, 2025, finishing his playing career with a .262/.341/.388 batting line, 22 home runs, and 227 hits. Fumio Yamamoto, a Hiroshima-born pitcher, briefly played for the Hiroshima Carp before retiring in 1957 and becoming a Central League umpire, officiating 3,564 games over 34 years. He passed away on August 7, 2025, leaving a legacy that included six All-Star Games and 13 Nippon Series appearances as an umpire.

Bobby Henrich died. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=henribo01 Who was Bobby Henrich? Bobby Henrich (born December 24, 1938, Lawrence, Kansas; died February 9, 2026, La Habra, California) was an American professional baseball player who spent parts of three seasons (1957–1959) with the Cincinnati Redlegs. Signed as a “bonus baby” at age 18, Henrich was primarily a pinch runner but appeared in 48 games at four defensive positions. A standout high school athlete from Compton, California, he excelled in baseball, football, and basketball and was noted for his speed. Henrich also played winter ball in Panama and spent time in the minor leagues before retiring from professional baseball at 22. After his playing career, he built a successful career in the insurance business. He was a distant relative of Yankees star Tommy Henrich.

I remember thinking he wasn't going to do to well with New York, but was surprised at how well he did in the early-going. But even then, I thought he was riding a really lucky streak -- when the entire team was pitching above its skill level -- and that he'd regress eventually. And he did. He carried an ERA under 3 through 59 innings, but had a 6.75 mark over his final 17 1/3, bringing his season ERA to 3.77.

First one that instantly comes to mind is this guy: Joe Panik. He had a decent stint with the Mets, but he just kind of showed up and went away in 2019, and the name Joe Panik never really felt like a Mets name.

Welp, Chris Bassitt is off the list now. So are David Robertson, Justin Verlander, Rafael Montero, Paul Sewald, Griffin Canning, Jose Quintana, Gary Sanchez, Miguel Castro, Carlos Carrasco, Mark Canha, Jose Siri, Tyson Miller, Phil Bickford and Travis Blankenhorn. That leaves us with: Starling Marte Michael Conforto Frankie Montas Max Scherzer Jesse Winker Justin Turner Wilmer Flores Tommy Pham Jose Iglesias Justin Wilson Drew Smith Dominic Smith Joey Lucchesi Max Kranick Jorge Lopez Marcus Stroman And here are some minor league free agents: Omar Narvaez Erasmo Ramirez Adonis Medina Stephen Nogosek Tyler Naquin

Jacob Stallings has retired.

Candido Cuevas: Injury Undisclosed. Est. Return 3/1/2026. Francisco Lindor: Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said that Lindor will undergo right hamate bone surgery Wednesday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports. President of baseball operations David Stearns noted Tuesday that surgery for Lindor was a possibility, and it's now confirmed that the shortstop will be going under the knife. Rehab is expected to take six weeks, and while the Mets are optimistic Lindor will be ready for Opening Day, it's hardly a sure thing. If Lindor needs to miss time, the Mets could shift Bo Bichette over to shortstop and install Brett Baty at third base. Injury Hand. Est. Return 3/26/2026. Jose Marte: Injury Shoulder. Est. Return 3/1/2026. Tylor Megill: The Mets placed Megill (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Thursday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for MJ Melendez, who signing became official Thursday. Megill will miss the entire 2026 season following September 2025 Tommy John surgery. Injury Elbow. Est. Return 2/1/2027. Dedniel Nunez: The Mets placed Nunez (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Sunday. The transaction opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for catcher Ben Rortvedt, whom the Mets claimed off waivers from the Dodgers on Sunday. The move won't affect Nunez's timeline for a return; the 29-year-old right-hander is likely to miss most, if not all, of the 2026 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery July 14. Injury Elbow. Est. Return 9/1/2026.

Oh.

Mets claim catcher Ben Rortvedt off waivers from the Dodgers. Another depth piece. They have a lot of catchers now. Alvarez, Torrens, Rortvedt, Austin Barnes, Kevin Parada, Hayden Senger, Chris Suero. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/02/mets-claim-ben-rortvedt-off-waivers-from-dodgers.html

Joe Jacques was also invited to spring training.

Fernando Rodney was 200 years old and he still managed some good years. Closers are weird, even when geriatric they can have killer seasons. I'd slot Kimbrel in over Williams. Williams was good as a setup man. Keep him there.

Lee Elder (Roy Lee Elder) was an American baseball scout who worked for the New York Yankees from 1991 to 2000 and then for the San Francisco Giants beginning in 2000. He signed players including Matt Cain, Brian Buscher, Matt Downs, and Antoan Richardson, and died on August 19, 2025, in Biloxi, Mississippi, at age 76. Scott Littlefield was an American baseball scout who spent more than 25 years in professional baseball, serving with the Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, and Texas Rangers in a variety of scouting roles. The brother of former general manager Dave Littlefield, he was named the Padres’ Scout of the Year in 2007 and died on September 19, 2025, in Houston, Texas, at age 59. Claude Pelletier was a Canadian baseball scout for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets who helped identify and sign future professional talent. He signed players including Shawn Bowman, Eric Gagné, Emmanuel Garcia, and Jonathan Malo, and died on December 14, 2025.

Joe Nossek died. https://www.newsweek.com/sports/mlb/former-world-series-outfielder-6-year-mlb-veteran-dies-11522671 Who was Joe Nossek? Joe Nossek was an American Major League Baseball outfielder, longtime coach, and scout whose professional career spanned more than four decades. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, he played collegiately at Ohio University, where he earned All-America honors and was later inducted into the school’s athletics hall of fame. Signed by the Minnesota Twins in 1961, Nossek made his MLB debut in 1964 and served primarily as a reserve outfielder during a six-year big league playing career that also included time with the Kansas City Athletics / Oakland Athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals. Though never a regular starter, Nossek was part of the Twins’ 1965 American League pennant-winning team and started multiple games in the 1965 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Known for his defensive versatility and steady presence, he finished his playing career with a .228 batting average, three home runs, and 53 RBIs in 295 games before retiring in 1970. Following his playing days, Nossek built a respected reputation as a major league coach, serving 28 years on coaching staffs with the Milwaukee Brewers, Twins, Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Royals, and Chicago White Sox—including a long tenure as bench coach with Chicago. He was widely regarded for his keen baseball intelligence and skill at deciphering opponents’ signs. After his coaching career, he worked as a scout for the Houston Astros. Nossek died in 2026 at age 85, remembered as a dedicated baseball lifer whose impact extended far beyond his modest playing statistics. Also, who was Roy Face? Roy Face, nicknamed “the Baron of the Bullpen,” was a pioneering American relief pitcher who spent most of his 16-year Major League Baseball career with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1953 to 1969. A sidearming right-hander known for his devastating forkball, he became one of the National League’s first dominant closers, redefining the role of the modern relief specialist at a time when starters were still expected to finish most games. After serving in the U.S. Army and excelling in the minor leagues, Face reached the majors in 1953 but did not fully flourish until developing his signature forkball in the mid-1950s. By 1958 he led the National League in saves, and in 1959 he produced one of the most remarkable seasons in baseball history, going 18–1 with a .947 winning percentage and winning 22 consecutive decisions across two seasons. His ability to enter high-pressure situations and shut down rallies made him indispensable in close games. Face played a crucial role in Pittsburgh’s 1960 pennant-winning season and was instrumental in the team’s dramatic World Series victory over the New York Yankees, recording three saves in the Fall Classic—an unprecedented feat at the time. Throughout the early 1960s, he consistently ranked among league leaders in saves and appearances, earning three All-Star selections and the 1962 National League Reliever of the Year Award while setting career records for relief wins and saves. He concluded his career with brief stints for the Detroit Tigers and the Montreal Expos, finishing with a 104–95 record and 193 saves in 848 appearances. At retirement, he ranked among the all-time leaders in games pitched and saves, and he remains the National League’s career leader in wins by a reliever. Inducted into the Pirates Hall of Fame, Face later worked as a carpenter in Pennsylvania before his death in 2026 at age 97, remembered as one of baseball’s earliest bullpen legends.

I remember he was bad.

2024 and 2025 were awesome because by that point the Mets had established continuity. You knew the core you'd be getting each year. Even though there was SOME continuity in the 2017 to 2019 era (you could include 2020, too), if the Mets continue to do these shakeups in the future, I could see this current era resembling the aforementioned. I mean, Adeiny Hechavarria? The 873 pitchers they used between 2017 and 2020? Brian Dozier? What even was that team? The era is a blur and sometimes I look back and assume I must not really watched it or paid much attention. But when I watch specific clips from it, I remember a lot of them. So I was there and present during the era, there was just so much churn that it was hard to make any truly deep memories.

He'd be worth a one-year contract. Second time's the charm.

Dick Groch (1940–2025) was an American longtime baseball scout and former college basketball standout who coached at St. Clair County Community College and represented both Team USA and Team Canada in international competition. As a scout for the New York Yankees and Milwaukee Brewers, he signed numerous future major leaguers, most notably Hall of Famer Derek Jeter.

And who's on first?

Anyone? Got the prizes set up already and I think they're kinda cool. Hint: There's a lot of autographs.

Justin Armbruester: Injury Lat. Est. Return 3/1/2026. Tyler Burch: Burch missed most of 2024 and all of 2025 due to right elbow surgery, but the expectation is he will be ready to go for the start of the 2026 campaign. The 28-year-old reliever has yet to advance past the Double-A level, having posted a 3.07 ERA and 34:21 K:BB over 41 innings at Double-A Bowie in the Orioles organization in 2023 in his last full season. Injury Elbow. Est. Return 2/10/2026. Daniel Duarte: Injury Elbow. Est. Return 2/10/2026. Nate Lavender: Lavender (elbow) cleared outright waivers and was returned to the Mets. The Rays acquired Lavender via the Rule 5 Draft last winter, so now that he's been outrighted off the Rays' 40-man roster, he'll return to the Mets' farm system. The 25-year-old lefty missed all of last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery with an internal brace, and he underwent another procedure in August to remove a bone spur in his left elbow. His availability for the start of spring training remains unclear. Injury Elbow. Est. Return 2/10/2026. I hope Lavender makes the majors, then my streak of "Mets minor league pitchers I want to see make the big leagues" will be unbroken these past few years. Let's not forget in three Spring Trainings with the Mets (2022-2024), he has a 0.00 ERA and 0.65 WHIP in 9 games. In 7 2/3 innings, he hasn't allowed a single hit and has 12 Ks!

Reed Garrett: The Mets placed Garrett (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Tuesday. The transaction frees up a 40-man roster spot for the addition of Bryan Hudson. Garrett underwent UCL reconstruction surgery in October and will miss the entire 2026 season. Injury Elbow. Est. Return 2/1/2027. Francisco Lindor: Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Tuesday that Lindor (elbow) is being evaluated for a possible stress reaction in his left hamate bone and could require surgery, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports. If an operation is needed, Lindor would need six weeks to recover. In that instance, Stearns said it's possible Lindor would be ready in time for Opening Day, but it would be a tight window given that the Mets' opener is just over six weeks away. Lindor is also coming back from a right elbow debridement procedure that he had last October, but he seems to be fully recovered from that procedure. If Lindor gets a late start to the season, the Mets could slide Bo Bichette over to shortstop and install Brett Baty at third base. Injury Hand. Est. Return 2/21/2026. AJ Minter: Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Tuesday that the team is targeting early May for Minter's (lat) season debut, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports. Minter will get a late start to the season after undergoing left lat surgery last May. It's not clear where the veteran reliever is at in his throwing program, but he will be slow-played during spring training before eventually going out on a rehab assignment. Once healthy, Minter will fill a setup role ahead of closer Devin Williams. Injury Lat. Est. Return 5/1/2026.