Cowtipper

Gary Gray died. https://obituaries.nola.com/obituary/gary-gray-1093063509 Who was Gary Gray? Gary Gray (1952–2025) was an American Major League Baseball first baseman who played parts of six seasons from 1977 to 1982 with the Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians, and Seattle Mariners. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and a former standout at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Gray was drafted by the Rangers in 1974 and quickly established himself as a strong minor league hitter. He made his MLB debut in 1977 and later enjoyed his best season with the Mariners in 1981, hitting 13 home runs in just 208 at-bats while splitting time at first base. Known for his left-handed power and steady defense, Gray remained a respected presence in the clubhouse. After his major league career, he spent several productive seasons in the Mexican League before retiring from professional baseball. He passed away in LaPlace, Louisiana, in 2025 at the age of 72. Also, who was Mike Greenwell? Mike Greenwell (1963–2025) was an American Major League Baseball left fielder who spent his entire 12-year MLB career with the Boston Red Sox (1985–1996), earning the nickname “The Gator.” A career .303 hitter, Greenwell was a two-time All-Star, 1988 Silver Slugger Award winner, and runner-up for the 1988 American League MVP behind Jose Canseco. That season, he hit .325 with 22 home runs and 119 RBIs, and he later set an American League record by driving in all nine of Boston’s runs in a single game in 1996. After leaving MLB, Greenwell briefly played in Japan for the Hanshin Tigers in 1997 before retiring due to injuries. He later worked as a coach in the Cincinnati Reds organization and pursued a second career as a race car driver, competing in NASCAR’s Craftsman Truck Series in 2006. A longtime Florida resident, Greenwell owned “Mike Greenwell’s Bat-A-Ball & Family Fun Park” (later renamed Gator Mike’s) and served as a Lee County Commissioner after being appointed in 2022 and reelected in 2024. He was also a developer and business owner in the Fort Myers area. Greenwell and his wife, Tracy, had two sons—Bo, who played in the minor leagues, and Garrett, a college player. He was also the uncle of MLB player Joey Terdoslavich. In 2025, Greenwell announced he had been diagnosed with medullary thyroid cancer and passed away two months later, on October 9, 2025, at age 62. Also worth noting: Masaaki Koyama died. https://jen.jiji.com/jc/i?g=eco&k=2025042401183 Who was Masaaki Koyama? Masaaki Koyama (小山 正明; July 28, 1934 – April 18, 2025) was a legendary Japanese professional baseball pitcher who played 21 seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), earning over 300 career wins. A right-handed thrower from Akashi, Hyogo, Koyama attended Takasago High School and joined the Osaka Tigers as a batting-practice pitcher in 1952, quickly proving his elite command and joining the roster in 1953. Known for his pinpoint control and devastating slider, he became one of NPB’s most dominant pitchers, winning 20 or more games in multiple seasons and recording seven consecutive 200-strikeout campaigns. Koyama won the prestigious Sawamura Award in 1962, posting a 27–11 record with 13 shutouts—a Central League record—and leading the league in strikeouts. Despite his individual dominance, he was on the losing end of three Japan Series and never captured a championship. After moving to the Tokyo/Lotte Orions in 1964, he continued his success, including a 30-win season and becoming the only pitcher in NPB history to achieve 100+ wins in both leagues. He concluded his playing career with the Taiyo Whales in 1973, finishing with a 320–232 record, a 2.45 ERA, 3,159 strikeouts, and 4,899 innings pitched. Following his retirement, Koyama became a respected pitching coach for multiple NPB teams, including the Hanshin Tigers, Seibu Lions, and Daiei Hawks. He was a founding member of Meikyukai in 1978 and was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001. Koyama passed away at the age of 90, leaving a lasting legacy as one of the greatest pitchers in Japanese baseball history.

He's a promising youngster.

Ewing dominated across the board in 2025, hitting .400/.506/.615 in 65 ABs for St. Lucie, .288/.387/.388 in 299 ABs for Brooklyn and .339/.371/.430 in 121 ABs for Binghamton. Between all three stops, he stole 70 bases and had 10 triples, hitting a combined .315/.401/.429.

I only participated for a few years, but it was fun!

Tejay Antone was taken by the Mets in the 22nd round of the 2012 draft, but didn't sign. In 2025, he played in the Reds system, going 0-1 with a 10.20 ERA in 15 relief appearances between three minor league stops. Brady Puckett was taken by the Mets in the 33rd round of the 2014 draft, but didn't sign. In 2025, he was 0-4 with a 4.02 ERA in 41 relief appearances for the Milwaukee Milkmen.

Wander Suero has elected free agency.

Dustin Beggs was taken by the Mets in the 32nd round of the 2015 draft, but didn't sign. He eventually played in their system in 2021. In 2025 he was 6-2 with a 5.38 ERA in 17 games (15 starts) for the Lexington Legends. Tanner Dodson was taken by the Mets in the 31st round of the 2015 draft, but didn't sign. In 2025, he was 2-2 with a 7.90 ERA in 34 games (1 start) for Triple-A Las Vegas in the Athletics system. J.C. Escarra was taken by the Mets in the 32nd round of the 2013 draft, but didn't sign. He debuted in the majors this year, hitting .202 with 2 homers and 11 RBI in 84 ABs for the Yankees. At Triple-A, he hit .300./391/.400 in 110 at-bats. Jake Higginbotham was taken by the Mets in the 27th round of the 2015 draft, but didn't sign. In 2025, he was 7-5 with a 4.71 ERA between two minor league stops in the Padres system. Kyle Lobstein was taken by the Mets in the 2012 Rule V Draft, but never played in their system. In 2025, he went 3-1 with a 5.34 ERA in 6 starts for the Lake Country DockHounds. Thomas McIlraith was taken by the Mets in the 20th round of the 2015 draft and played in their system from 2015 to 2021. In 2025, he went 2-2 with a 6.31 ERA in 28 relief appearances for Union Laguna in Mexico.

David Stearns prefers pitchers with ERAs over 10, so he probable saw too much skill in Mike Vasil, that's why he let him go. Vasil instead dominated with the Rays, posting a 5-3 record and a 2.50 ERA in 101 innings over 47 games his first campaign, while allowing just 74 hits.

Beverly Armstrong/Steuert died. https://www.altman-long.com/obituaries/obituary-listings?obId=43673517 Who was Beverly Armstrong/Steuert? Beverly Armstrong (later Beverly Steuert, 1934–2025) was an American pitcher in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL), best known for playing with the Rockford Peaches in 1952 while still in high school. A native of Maywood, New Jersey, she learned to pitch from her father, a semipro ballplayer, developing a strong fastball and curve. In her brief AAGPBL career, she recorded a 4–1 pitching record over nine games before an ankle injury sidelined her in 1953, and the league folded soon after. Armstrong later played basketball and softball, reportedly winning a world championship in basketball, and went on to raise three children in Kernersville, North Carolina. She was included in the Baseball Hall of Fame’s 1988 exhibit honoring all AAGPBL players and died in 2025 at age 90. Toe Nash died. https://www.rosewoodcares.com/obituary/Gregory-Nash#obituary Who was Toe Nash? Gregory “Toe” Nash (1982–2025) was an American baseball player once hailed as a “real-life Roy Hobbs” for his extraordinary raw talent and unlikely rise from rural Louisiana to professional baseball. Discovered by scout Benny Latino while playing in a semi-pro league, the 6'5" switch-hitting outfielder signed with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2001 despite never attending high school. Compared to legends like Babe Ruth, Nash showed immense power potential, hitting eight home runs in his only minor league season with the Princeton Devil Rays. However, his career quickly collapsed due to legal troubles, including statutory rape and later drug-related arrests, which led to multiple prison sentences. After brief attempts at a comeback, Nash lived quietly in Louisiana and Texas before his death in 2025 at age 43, his story remembered as one of baseball’s most tragic cases of wasted potential. Doris Cook died. https://obits.mlive.com/us/obituaries/muskegon/name/doris-cook-obituary?id=59364739 Who was Doris Cook? Doris Cook (1931–2025) was an American pitcher and outfielder in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) who played from 1949 to 1953. Born in Muskegon, Michigan, she joined the league at age 17, following her sister Donna Cook, and began with the Springfield Sallies, a traveling rookie team that toured the U.S. and Canada. Cook later played for the Kalamazoo Lassies and South Bend Blue Sox, where she and her sister were finally teammates. Known more for her defensive skill than hitting, she finished her career with a modest .128 batting average and a 5.74 ERA. After retiring from baseball, Cook worked in banking for over 20 years and was inducted into the Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame in 1993. She was also honored in the Baseball Hall of Fame’s 1988 “Women in Baseball” exhibit and lived in Muskegon until her death in 2025 at age 94. Buddy Bailey died. https://lvbp.com/noticias/fallecio-buddy-bailey-el-arquitecto-de-una-dinastia-inolvidable/ Who was Buddy Bailey? Buddy Bailey (1957–2025) was an American baseball manager, coach, and former minor league catcher whose career spanned nearly five decades and multiple countries. Born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, and raised in Amherst, Virginia, Bailey played four seasons in the Atlanta Braves’ farm system before beginning a prolific 45-year managing career that included over 2,400 wins, ranking among the top in minor league history. He managed in the Braves, Red Sox, and Cubs organizations, earning two International League Manager of the Year awards (1996, 2003) and leading several teams to league championships, including the Myrtle Beach Pelicans in 2016 and 2019. Internationally, he became a legend in Venezuela’s winter league, guiding the Tigres de Aragua to six national titles and the 2009 Caribbean Series championship—more titles with one team than any other LVBP manager. Known for his leadership and longevity, Bailey also spent a season as a Boston Red Sox bench coach in 2000 and was deeply respected across baseball. He died of cancer in Lynchburg, Virginia, in 2025 at age 68, shortly before he was set to manage again in Venezuela.

Griffin Canning - Expected to be out until at least Feb 1, 2026 Reed Garrett - Expected to be out until at least Feb 1, 2026 Max Kranick - Expected to be out until at least Sep 1, 2027 Tylor Megill - Expected to be out until at least Feb 1, 2027 A.J. Minter - Expected to be out until at least Feb 1, 2026 Frankie Montas - Expected to be out until at least Feb 1, 2027 Dedniel Nunez - Expected to be out until at least Feb 1, 2027 Christian Scott - Expected to be out until at least Feb 1, 2026 Drew Smith - Expected to be out until at least Feb 1, 2026 Danny Young - Expected to be out until at least Jul 1, 2026 Francisco Alvarez - Alvarez will undergo surgery in the coming days to repair a sprained UCL in his right thumb, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. Alvarez suffered the injury in late August, but he elected to delay surgery until the offseason and returned to play in early September. The operation could delay Alvarez's offseason workouts a bit, but it should not affect his availability for the beginning of spring training. Injury Thumb. Est. Return 2/1/2026.

Tristan Gray was taken by the Mets in the 37th round of the 2014 draft, but didn't sign. In 2025, he hit .231 with 3 home runs and 9 RBI in 78 at-bats for the Rays. At Triple-A, in the White Sox chain, he hit .270/.333/.472 with 9 home runs and 44 RBI in 72 games. Francisco Peña played in the Mets system from 2007 to 2013. In 2025, he hit .295/.409/.567 with 19 home runs and 62 RBI for Campeche in Mexico. Will Sierra was drafted by the Mets in the 28th round of the 2016 draft, but didn't sign. He finally debuted professionally in 2025, going 0-0 with a 6.39 ERA in 11 relief appearances for the independent Winnipeg Goldeyes.

Curt Casali retired. Stone Garrett retired. JT Riddle retired. Charlie Morton is officially retired.

The 26-year-old went 2-0 with a 3.91 ERA in 19 games (1 start) between St. Lucie and Binghamton in 2025.

Williams' performance in 2025, .261/.363/.465 with 17 homers, 52 RBI and 34 steals, gives me enough confidence to want to see him in 2026. He hit .209/.285/.433 at Triple-A, but I'd still like to see what he can do.

I thought he was going to be the loss we'd regret the most, but since he's tanked so far, I think we can say the Mets actually won that trade. He wasn't just being hyped as a top prospect back in the day, but as an uber prospect. Justin Dunn, also a first rounder, didn't pan out. Gerson Bautista didn't do much. Anthony Swarzak didn't do much (anywhere). Jay Bruce fell apart even more after leaving the Mets. And now Kelenic is a letdown. Diaz, now six seasons (seven if you include his missed year) into his Mets tenure has given us a 2.93 ERA, 144 saves and 538 Ks in 328 1/3 innings. And Cano gave us a solid 2020, hitting .326 in that shortened campaign.

Benge ain't no dog in the low- and mid-minors, though his trial at Triple-A was underwhelming. He hit .302/.417/.480 in 225 at-bats with Brooklyn, .317/.407/.571 in 126 at-bats with Binghamton...and just .178/.272/.311 with Syracuse. Still, struggling at Triple-A doesn't mean everything. Drew Gilbert hit .238 at Triple-A and is now a .190 major leaguer.

Sproat, Tong, McLean ... and maybe Santucci next year? This ace-in-the-making went 9-4 with a 3.06 ERA in 25 games (23 starts) between the Brooklyn Cyclones and Binghamton Mets. Add in maybe a R.J. Gordon, Jack Wenninger or a healthy Christian Scott and we might forget all about the previous Fab Five.

After not playing professionally since 2019, Matt Allan valiantly returned to go 0-3 with a 3.60 ERA in 20 innings between the St. Lucie Mets and Brooklyn Cyclones. Then he got hurt again and returned to where he is most comfortable, the 60-day IL.

Chris Devenski has free agented himself. Mets have named Lauren Hurvitz senior vice president and head of communications.

Clark dominated in indy ball this year, hitting .377/.471/.628 with 12 home runs and 70 RBI in 58 games for the Rocky Mountain Vibes.

In 2025, Hejka struggled to a 1-1, 6.28 line in 28 relief appearances in the Phillies system, spent mostly at High-A. At 28, you can't be struggling that much at High-A. The Phillies felt the same way and released him on July 28.

In his first full season away from the Mets system, he went 2-2 with a 4.29 ERA in 10 games (9 starts) in the Nats chain.

Consuegra only played for the Hanshin Tigers minor league team in 2025, hitting .148 in 54 at-bats.

This could be the end for Luis Santana. After hitting .195 in the Tigers chain in 2024, he didn't play in 2025.

Szapucki hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2022. He had a 1.35 ERA in the Tigers chain in 2025, but was released August 4.