The New York Mets’ are still generating headlines into the New Year. Details about how Yoenis Cespedes got injured came to light. Also, MLB.com ran a lengthy analysis on Brandon Nimmo.
A catching prospect was recently tabbed as a breakout candidate, while the Mets’ Triple-A team announced its manager.
Here are the New York Mets’ news and rumors of the day:
MLB.com: Anthony DiComo analyzed one of the Mets’ most underappreciated players: Brandon Nimmo. A perennial trade candidate, the outfielder is one of the best table-setters in the league with a near-.400 OBP in the last three years.
Having an on-base machine in front of Jeff McNeil, Michael Conforto and Pete Alonso is a very good development for the Mets. He is also a slightly below-average defender in center and playable in the corners.
Nimmo closed out the 2019 season with a .995 OPS in September and looks poised for a good year.
NY Post: The Post published an article revealing the details of Yoenis Cespedes’ injury. As it turns out, a wild boar that escaped from his cage caused the accident.
According to the Post report, which quoted several people familiar with the incident, “Cespedes has traps on his ranch for a variety of reasons, including to keep boars away from people. But one boar was removed from a trap — perhaps by Cespedes — and either charged toward Cespedes or startled him, causing Cespedes to step into a hole.â€
The incident ended up costing the Cuban outfielder millions of dollars. The Mets restructured his contract.
Syracuse.com: Brian Schneider, who last worked with the Miami Marlins, is the new manager of the Mets’ Triple-A affiliate.
Schneider, 43, will lead the Syracuse Mets in 2020. He spent five seasons as the Marlins’ catching coach. Before that, he managed the Single-A Jupiter team, accumulating a 117-160 record. He is an ex-major leaguer with 13 seasons in the bigs.
Metsmerizedonline.com: The folks at MLB Pipeline analyzed 30 prospects that could break out in 2020. Among those young players was a New York Mets’ member: Francisco Alvarez.
He is a $2.7 million-bonus man, and a very talented catcher. He had a .317/.407/.510 line in 42 games for Gulf Coast and Kingsport. Alvarez hit 10 doubles, seven homers, and 26 RBI.