Amazin' Daily Briefing

Amazin' Daily Briefing: January 23rd, 2025

In today’s Amazin’ Daily Briefing, explore key moments from Mets history on January 22nd, catch up on our latest posts, and dive into fresh insights from our writer's latest opinion piece!

On This Day in Mets History

Cover Stories

2002: Cone Home?
2009: Forget Manny, Man Crush
2016: He's Back, Ces we Can, Yespedes
2020: Inside Job, Let's Try This Again
2024: Closer Call

Born on this date

Bob Moorhead (1938)
Charlie Greene (1971)
Robert Carson (1989)

Died on this date

Ed Bouchee (2013)

Transactions:

1987: Montreal Expos signed Bruce Berenyi of the New York Mets as a free agent on January 23.
1992: New York Mets released Rich Sauveur on January 23.
1998: Philadelphia Phillies signed Yorkis Perez of the New York Mets as a free agent on January 23.
2005: Houston Astros signed John Franco of the New York Mets as a free agent on January 23.
2008: New York Mets signed free agent Ricardo Rincon on January 23.
2014: Cleveland Indians signed David Aardsma of the New York Mets as a free agent on January 23.

Trivia Question of The Day:

On the final day of the 2011 season, Jose Reyes secured the NL batting title with a bunt single in his first at-bat and then removed from the game. Who finished just behind him in second place?

José Reyes was in a close race for the National League batting title. On the final day of the season, September 28, 2011, Reyes led off the game against the Cincinnati Reds with a bunt single. This hit was crucial as it was in his last game of his first tenure with the New York Mets before he became a free agent.

After getting this hit, Reyes was immediately pulled from the game to prevent any chance of an out that could lower his batting average, ensuring he would finish the season with the highest batting average in the NL. After the season, Reyes signed with the Miami Marlins, marking the end of his first stint with the Mets.

"I just want to say I'm humbled and honored to win the batting title. It means so much to my family and my country, the Dominican Republic. I have been through a lot over the past few years so this really means a lot to me. It's also very special to be the first Mets player to win a batting title. There have been so many great players throughout our history. I want to thank Terry Collins, my coaches and all my teammates and of course all the Mets fans who have always supported me and been behind me 100 percent." - Jose Reyes, 2011

Latest Posts

Random Player Spotlight

Wayne Twitchell

Born: March 10, 1948, Portland, OR
Died: September 16, 2010, Portland, OR

Years with Mets: 1979
33 games. 5 - 3, 5.23, 44 strikeouts, 0 saves

Trivia Answer

In 2011, Ryan Braun came in second place for the National League batting title with a batting average of .332.

What's the Deal with McNeil?

The Case for Open Competition at Second Base

Jeff McNeil, once the heart of the New York Mets' lineup, has seen his performance fluctuate since winning the National League batting title in 2022. Since winning the title, McNeil has been underwhelming. In 2023 McNeil recorded a .270/.333/.378 slash line, a .711 OPS, and a 97 wRC+, which was just 3% below league average.

This past season, 2024, his performance didn't improve, putting up .238/.308/.384, maintaining a 97 wRC+. These numbers suggest that McNeil might not be the automatic choice for the Mets' everyday second baseman in 2025.

The Young Contenders

Ronny Mauricio: Mauricio is coming off an ACL injury but showed promise before his injury. His big league games in 2023, albeit limited, suggested he has the power and potential to be a significant contributor. His recovery and readiness for 2025 will be crucial, but if he's back to form, his athleticism and versatility could make him a strong candidate for the second base position.
Luisangel Acuña: Despite a small sample size in 2024, Acuña has shown flashes of brilliance. His potential is undeniable, especially considering his familial ties to MVP-level talent. However, his minor league performance in 2024 was less than stellar, posting a 69 wRC+ in AAA, but his performance in the Venezuelan Winter League and a brief stint in the majors indicate he could be ready for a bigger role.

Other Notables in the Race for Second Base

Jose Iglesias has proven to be more than just a utility player for the Mets. Bringing him back on a 1-year deal to allow him to compete for this job come spring could ignite a performance revival in McNeil. His performance in 2024, where he accumulated 3.1 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) in just 85 games, underscores his value both on and off the field. His defensive prowess at multiple infield positions, combined with his unexpected offensive output (a 137 OPS+), made him a fan favorite and a crucial part of the team's playoff run.
Jared Young, the mostly unknown competitor is this race and longtime minor leaguer had a brief stint in the majors with the Cubs before heading to KBO League to play for the Dousman Bears where he hit .326/.420/.660 with 10 home runs and 39 RBI in 38 games. Young signed a one-year, major league contract with the Mets and could surprise many by demonstrating that, at 29, he's ready for a big role on a contending MLB team. Jared Young could be an under the radar David Stearns signing we are praising come June.

Why Competition is Healthy

Performance Incentive: McNeil, a seasoned player, can use the competition as motivation to return to his former form. Knowing his job isn't guaranteed might push him to perform better, especially after a couple of underwhelming seasons.
Youth Development: Giving young players like Acuña and Mauricio a chance to compete for the spot allows for their growth and development. If they outperform McNeil, the Mets could benefit from younger, potentially more dynamic players in the lineup.

The Mets are expected to compete in the 2025 season. Spots in the lineup and should be earned not given or based on past merit. Spring Training needs to be a proving ground for all, where the best player, regardless of experience, earns the right to play.