Your Sunday morning dose of New York Mets and MLB news, notes, and links.
Meet the Mets
Original 1962 Met and the first Puerto Rican to play for the Mets Félix Mantilla passed away this week at the age of 90.
Around the National League East
The Nationals signed free agent reliever and former Met Jorge López to a one-year, $3 million deal.
Michael Cunningham of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is the latest to remark upon the Braves’ lack of activity on the free agent market this offseason.
Around Major League Baseball
Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com looks into whether Roki Sasaki is the de facto favorite to win Rookie of the Year (regardless of league) or if there are any dark horse candidates that could win it instead.
“Staying in Boston long term is something that has a lot of merit in my mind and something that I think would be awesome,” Garrett Crochet said at Fenway Fest on Saturday. An extension with Crochet is a top priority for the Red Sox.
Manny Randhawa of MLB.com reviews seven big questions ahead of the announcement of who the BBWAA has elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame to join Classic Era Committee electees Dick Allen and Dave Parker in the 2025 class. Will Ichiro be elected unanimously? Will Billy Wagner get in on his last shot? Will Carlos Beltrán see a big boost in his vote totals?
Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue
Grace Carbone made the case for signing Kiké Hernández to fill a utility role on the Mets’ bench.
This Date in Mets History
On this date in 2009, the late, great Rickey Henderson was elected into the Hall of Fame.