Mets Sign Reliever Jared Hughes

Mets Reliever Jared Hughes (Credits to MetsMerizedOnline.com)

The New York Mets signed reliever RHP Jared Hughes and helped add to the 60-man roster pool  which is now at 51 players as well as boosting the bullpen. Hughes has been in the Major Leagues for nine years and previously pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Milwaukee Brewers, Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies with a career 2.88 ERA. His best season came in 2018 with the Reds where he had a 1.94 ERA in 72 games. Hughes's best pitch in his sinker wbich helped him get a lot of ground balls in the past, but gave him a lot of problems last year and caused him to have an ERA of 4.04 and allowed 13 homers. If he could find his sinker again with the help of his new delivery, he could emerge in the bullpen as an effective reliever and give manager Luis Rojas another option to rely on in the later innings.

Mets Sign Outfielder Melky Cabrera

Mets Outfielder Melky Cabrera (Credits to MetsMerizedOnline.com)

The New York Mets signed outfielder Melky Caberea today to help fill out their 60-man roster. Caberea hit .280 in 133 games with the Pittsburgh Pirates last year mostly playing corner outfielder. He has played for several teams since he was the 2009 New York Yankees Championship team. Cabrera has played for seven different teams over the last 10 years. He had four straight years from 2014-2017 of at least 30 or more doubles. Cabrera help provide some power off the bench or serve as a designated hitter with the DH coming into the National League this year as well as versatility with his ability to switch hit.

Mets Sign Infielder Gordon Beckham

Mets Infielder Gordon Beckham (Credits to MetsMerizedOnline.com)



 

The New York Mets signed infielder Gordan Beckham today and added him to the 60-man talent pool on the roster. Beckham was in Spring Training with the San Diego Padres and went hit-less in 14 at-bats. He was the eighth overall pick in the first round of the 2008 MLB Draft by the Chicago White Sox and played in parts of seven years with the White Sox as well as the Angels, Braves, Giants and Tigers since 2014. Beckham has his .237 with 80 career homers in over 1,000 career games.

Mets Sign Reliever Hunter Strickland

Mers Reliever Hunter Strickland (Credits to MetsMerizedOnline.com)

The New York Mets signed reliever RHP Hunter Strickland today. Strickland has been added to their talent pool. He struggled last year with a 5.55 ERA in 24 1/3 innings with the Washington Nationals and Seattle Mariners. Strickland allowed eight earned runs in 6 2/3 in spring training this year with the Nationals and was released in March. He has a ERA of 3.16 in his career and 1.198 WHIP in 281 innings. His best years were with the San Francisco Giants from 2015-2017 when he had a 2.75 ERA and gave up 7.4 homers per nine innings.

Major League Baseball 2020 Season to Begin on July 24th

ESPN baseball insider Jeff Passan reported yesterday that the MLB Players Association (MLBPA) and team owners have reached a deal to start the 2020 season. They also reached a deal on health and safety protocols. Spring training will begin on July 1st and Opening Day will start on July 24th. The trading deadline will be moved to August 31st.

Other changes include that teams rosters will expand to 30 players by the first month, but 26 players by the second month. In extra innings, a runner will begin on second base like the minor leagues. Teams have to create a list of 60 players on the taxi-squad and eligible for Major League service. Players who have family members who are at-risk can opt out and still receive service time and regular pay. There will be also be a COVID-19 injury list for players who have come down with the symptoms or been in contact with those that have been infected.  MLB will allow some media into the ballparks, but most interviews after the game will take place on Zoom.

Mets Draft Outfielder Pete-Crow Armstrong in First Round of MLB Draft

Mets Outfielder Pete-Crow Alexander (Credits to MetsMerizedOnline.com)

The New York Mets drafted high school outfielder Pete-Crow Alexander tonight in the first round of the 2020 MLB Draft. Crow went to Harvard-Westlake School High School in Hollywood, California. He is known for his defense and was considered to be one of the best defensive high school players in the country. His athleticism and speed are some of his strongest skill sets and helped him become possibly the best outfielder defender in his draft class. Crow has been always been a contact hitter and is starting to develop his power and turn on balls and improve his launch angles. Hopefully he will continue to improve offensively and he will get an opportunity to get called up the big leagues in a few years. It will be fun watching him in the minors and see how he progresses.