John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter |

The more you hear about Luis Rojas, the more reason there is to believe he could be a good major-league manager. But is he ready in 2020? Will his inexperience cost the Mets in a win-now season? How will he react to being grilled daily about every significant decision he makes?

So many questions that nobody can answer until the games begin, and it's the great unknown that makes this such a huge gamble for Brodie Van Wagenen, especially with the expectation of a change in ownership that could raise the stakes even higher for the GM this season.

To me, it's the reason it made more sense to go get a proven commodity like a Buck Showalter or a Dusty Baker, especially after the Carlos Beltran hire backfired on the Mets and added a level of chaos that begged for credibility in the manager's office. 

The Mets announced Wednesday that they're finalizing a deal that will have Luis Rojas will take over as manager for the 2020 season.

The praise amongst Mets players such as Marcus Stroman, Pete Alonso and Dominic Smith, among others, has been great to see. As many have said, the hiring of Rojas seems incredibly popular amongst players. Thus, this level of response is not surprising.

I understand there are some questions about Rojas being a first-time big-league manager, and there was buzz that there was some doubt organizationally if he was ready to be a big-league manager when he interviewed in October for the job. Do not be mistaken though, Rojas is an incredibly qualified person for this job. He is a baseball lifer with the bloodlines from the Alou family, which is one of the most respected families in baseball history. While he may not have big-league managing experience, you are talking about a guy who has managed in the Mets organization since 2007 with the Mets Dominican Summer League team. 

Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |

With the wildly different takes on Luis Rojas that have surfaced during a week of reporting rolling around in my head, it was hard to form an opinion on the Mets' managerial choice. 

Then, during SNY's breaking news coverage, Keith Hernandez summed it up in a way that finally made sense: "I'm going to need at least 24 hours to digest this."

Keith was on the right track there. Our only amendment to his take is that we might need even more time -- 24 weeks maybe? -- to formulate an informed take on the news.

While the Mets have reportedly discussed Jed Lowrie in potential trades throughout the offseason, New York and general manager Brodie Van Wagenen are pleased with the infielder's progress entering 2020.

After a 2019 season in which he only played nine games due to injuries, Lowrie is making strides ahead of his second season with the Mets.

"We were pleased with his progress on where he's at physically," Van Wagenen said, according to Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News. "We did some testing to measure his strengths (and) he's progressing to the point where we're optimistic of having him participate in a meaningful way in (Spring Training) games."

The Yankees signed former Mets LHP Luis Avilan to a minor-league contract with a major-league Spring Training invite, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

Avilan, 30, went 4-0 on the 2019 season with a 5.06 ERA and 30 strikeouts to 14 walks in 45 games.

He logged his first seven MLB seasons with four different teams, joining the Mets after spending 2018 on the Chicago White Sox and Philadelphia Phillies, pitching to a 2-1 record and 3.77 ERA.

New Mets manager Luis Rojas is a relative unknown to most. However, among his attributes, he is already well-respected inside the Mets' clubhouse, has been around the team for over a decade, has tons of managerial experience, and has famous MLB bloodlines.

Here are five things to know about Rojas...

Was viewed as a rising star when he managed in minors

While coaching for the Mets in the minors, Rojas was voted by his peers as the best managerial prospect in the Florida State League (with the High-A St. Lucie Mets) in 2015 and 2016 after being voted as the best managerial prospect in the South Atlantic League (with Low-A) in 2014, according to JJ Cooper of Baseball America. 

Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes has been crossing thresholds this offseason as he continues to work his way back from multiple ankle fractures that ended his 2019 season before it began. And he's getting closer to being a realistic option for the 26-man roster to start the 2020 season.

Cespedes' hitting progression has "reached the point where he's ready to go for spring training on the offensive side," Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen said on Wednesday.

Of course, being ready to go on the offensive side is only one half of what Cespedes needs to do in order to be a player who can start games for the Mets this coming season.

The Mets have named Luis Rojas their next manager, and SNY's Mets game analyst Keith Hernandez was very straight-forward with his reaction. 

"This is kind of just my initial reaction: I must admit I'm absolutely stunned at the choice -- not for any negative reason," he said. "I'm not so concerned about how he handles the press. He's a very bright guy, I think he'll be fine with the media.

"My concern is, and I believe that a manager has to be the leader of the team, you're getting a very young manager with virtually no major league experience taking over the team."

Hernandez, who admitted that Joe Girardi was the guy he wanted from the onset, continued to discuss the hiring by talking about today's trend in hiring new managers, and how Rojas' experience with the Mets should help him down the road with his roster...

The Mets have found their replacement for Carlos Beltran as manager in Luis Rojas, who is finalizing a multi-year deal with the team. 

And the players are very excited about the new hire. 

Some of the current Mets -- and even some of Rojas' old pupils from the minors -- have commented on the news. Here are a few reactions, starting with Pete Alonso, who was quick to share his happiness on Twitter...

The Mets are working to finalize a multi-year deal to make Luis Rojas their next manager.

Rojas, 38, had been one of the Mets' three finalists for manager, along with Hensley Meulens and Tony DeFrancesco, SNY's Andy Martino reported Tuesday.

The Mets' coaching staff around Rojas will remain intact, according to Martino. That staff includes Meulens (the bench coach, who had also been linked to the managerial opening in Boston) and DeFrancesco (the first base coach who managed Triple-A Syracuse in 2019).

The Mets are finalizing a multi-year deal to make Luis Rojas their next manager, replacing Carlos Beltran who mutually parted ways with the team last Thursday. 

Rojas was getting plenty of buzz as the Mets conducted their second managerial search of the offseason, with team brass focused on an in-house option to take over. The 38-year-old has managerial experience in the minors and was the team's quality control coach before this promotion. 

However, there were some doubts on Rojas, as it was said the team didn't believe he was ready to take over as manager back in November when he was initially considered for the job. That has clearly changed now, and some current Mets always believed Rojas had what it took to be a big league manager after playing under him. 

Danny Abriano, SNY.tv | Twitter |

The relationship between Nolan Arenado and the Rockies could be irretrievably broken, with the star third baseman recently going public over his frustration with GM Jeff Bridich.

After Bridich said earlier this week that the team had listened to Arenado trade offers and planned to move forward with him on the team in 2020, Arenado shot back. And if Colorado again opens trade talks, the Cardinals and Rangers could be two of the strongest suitors for Arenado, Jon Morosi of MLB.com reported on Wednesday.

According to Morosi, the Rockies have informed interested teams that they would have to improve their 2020 big league team and acquire prospects in any deal for Arenado.

Danny Abriano, SNY.tv | Twitter |

With the Mets' second managerial search of the offseason starting to wind down, three names have emerged, according to SNY's Andy Martino.

Barring a late entrant or unknown candidate, the race is down to internal options Luis Rojas, Hensley Meulens, and Tony DeFrancesco. 

As they do every year, Baseball America has released its new Top 100 prospects in the game list heading into the 2020 season. And two Mets have made the cut. 

Shortstop Ronny Mauricio and catcher Francisco Alvarez have come in at No. 66 and 67, respectively, on the list. 

The outlet already had Mauricio as its top prospect in the Mets organization, as the 18-year-old has shown tremendous progress in just two seasons of pro ball. He slashed .268/.307/.357 with four homers and 37 RBI over 116 games with Low-A Columbia last season. If he continues that growth, Mauricio has a chance to find himself in Double-A at some point this year. 

The Mets' search for a new manager could be reaching its final stages.

According to SNY's Andy Martino, the Mets have narrowed the search down to three internal candidates: Luis Rojas, Hensley Meulens, and Tony DeFrancesco.

Martino notes that while there's a chance another candidate could still enter the mix, the Mets "see benefits of going internal."

The Mets made a move to address their catching depth on Tuesday evening. 

According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the Mets are bringing back veteran Rene Rivera on a minor-league deal. Per Nightengale, the contract is worth $1 million, though there are $300,000 worth of incentives if he makes the big-league team.

Rivera, 36, has played parts of three seasons with the Mets. After beginning his Major League career with stops in Seattle, Minnesota, San Diego and Tampa Bay, Rivera joined the Mets in 2016, when he appeared in 65 games and hit .222 with six home runs and 26 RBI. He had previously had a stop with the Mets organization in 2009, but never played higher than Triple-A that season.

Wally Backman, former Mets second baseman and currently the manager of the Long Island Ducks, was in court on Long Island on Tuesday for alleged criminal mischief and harassment.

Backman, 60, allegedly shoved his ex-girlfriend Amanda Byrnes into a wall and stopped her from calling police when the incident occurred in August.

According to the New York Post, Backman faces up to a year in prison if convicted.

When the offseason began, the thought of Yoenis Cespedes contributing to the 2020 Mets was a pipe dream. Then he started hitting bombs. Then his contract was restructured to incentivize him making it back on the field. Then he started running.

Now, the idea that the 34-year-old Cespedes will trot out to left field in in the top of the first inning on March 26 against the Nationals at Citi Field before toting his lumber to the batter's box in the bottom of the first seems downright plausible.

Yes, Cespedes still needs to prove he can handle a full nine innings in left field. And yes, he still needs to get through the rest of the offseason without suffering any setbacks. But after roughly two seasons on the shelf, Yo is close. And his healthy return could have serious ripple effects on the 2020 Mets...

A very crowded situation in left field

In a world without a healthy Cespedes, the Mets would likely enter the 2020 season with J.D. Davis, Brandon Nimmo, and Michael Conforto as their starting outfielders from left to right.

The Mets remain "hopeful of choosing a manager within the next few days," SNY's Andy Martino reported on Tuesday, adding that he has still not heard of any external candidates being in the mix.

Still, while the names of serious external candidates haven't come out, Martino cautioned that it doesn't definitely mean there aren't any.

As the Mets continue their search for Carlos Beltran's replacement, with most of the buzz surrounding internal candidates such as Luis Rojas, the Astros have seemingly cast a much wider net.

The following are insights, ideas and notes gathered from recent conversations with team sources, rival executives, reporters, front office assistants and talent evaluators...

Nolan Arenado isn't happy

Arenado was set to become a free agent after 2019, but signed a long-term contract that he can opt out of after 2021. During negotiations, he was assured the Rockies would make additions and increase payroll to push for a deeper postseason run. So far, that hasn't happened. In fact, they took a step back -- finishing 71-91 in 2019 -- and are on pace to reduce payroll from last season to this season.

The buzz from Colorado is that Arenado is frustrated because the Rockies are not following through on their promise. At this point, it seems likely he'll opt out unless dealt to another team. The thing is, the acquiring team almost certainly has questions about how the opt out will be handled.

The Mets have interest in trading for Pirates CF Starling Marte. Here's the latest...

Jan 20, 11:25 PM: 

On Monday, SNY's Baseball Night in New York discussed reports that the Mets and Pirates are once again discussing a trade for the Pirates outfielder.

Video: Should the Mets push for a Starling Marte trade?

Interested parties should take note: The increasingly tumultuous relationship between the Rockies and their All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado appears to be getting even, err, rockier.

On Monday evening, the Denver Post reported that Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich was no longer fielding offers for Arenado, who signed an eight-year, $260 million extension with the team prior to last season. 

"With the season coming up and spring training on the horizon, we are going to start focusing on that," Bridich said. "We have listened to teams regarding Nolan and really nothing has come of it. We are going to move forward pretty much as we expected -- with Nolan in the purple and black and as our third baseman.

As the Mets continue to look for a new manager, a few names have surfaced, some of whom have interviewed for other open spots, but nothing has emerged just yet.

On SNY's The Thread, the panel discusses whether or not it's time for Mets fans to panic.

The Mets are still reeling and in search of the man who's going to manage their roster in 2020, but the oddsmakers aren't too down on them for that. 

Odds Shark posted early over/ under totals for the 2020 MLB season and the Mets are in a tie for the fifth-highest over/ under total in the National League. 

Sitting at 86.5, the Mets are tied with the Cubs at that number. However, the over/ unders released indicate what many predict in 2020: the NL East is going to be tight. 

Blaine McIntosh, the Mets' 13th round selection at the 2019 MLB Draft, earned a prestigious honor this past weekend. 

McIntosh took home the 2019 Todd Helton Award, given to Tennessee's high school baseball player of the year. 

The 18-year-old is a speedy 6-foot-4 center field prospect who was described an as "explosive" outfielder by MLB.com prior to the draft. 

Yoenis Cespedes said he would have a grand comeback this season, and the latest video of his offseason workouts shows he's preparing to live up to his word. 

Cespedes is down in Port St. Lucie putting in work that includes running on turf, hitting batting practice, and in typical Cespedes fashion, making absurd catches in the outfield...

CLICK BELOW TO SEE THE VIDEO

After mutually parting ways with Carlos Beltran, the Mets are searching for a new manager. Here's the latest on candidate Luis Rojas ...

Jan. 20, 4:08 PM:

After MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported Buck Showalter, Dusty Baker and John Gibbons were all getting interviews from the Astros, SNY's Andy Martino came to Twitter to agree. But he also dropped this nugget about Rojas...

The Mets are currently searching for their next manager after mutually parting ways with Carlos Beltran, and ESPN analyst Eduardo Perez is a top candidate to replace him. 

Here is the latest news on Perez...

Jan. 20, 3:23 PM:

Mets RHP Marcus Stroman is back on Twitter to talk about the Astros' sign-stealing scandal, and this time, he has video. 

Stroman spoke out about the situation in general last week, saying "This is crazy. Truly can't believe all this s--t coming out in baseball." But the right-hander did his research and found a clip put together by Daily Hive Toronto's Ian Hunter that shows very clearly the Astros using their sign-stealing method against Stroman. 

His reaction? 

Mets legend David Wright had already made it known that managing wasn't on his mind after ending his playing career following the 2018 season. 

And that is still the case today. 

MLB Network's Jon Heyman did his due diligence on the matter with the Mets currently looking for a new manager after mutually parting ways with Carlos Beltran. Wright's answer is just the one you'd expect...

The Mets continue their search for their next manager after mutually parting ways with Carlos Beltran on Thursday. Multiple names have surfaced as potential replacements for Beltran, and with less than a month until pitchers and catchers report to Port St. Lucie, a decision could be coming soon. 

Here is the latest on each candidate...

Hensley Meulens

The Mets bench coach is a top candidate for the position, but New York isn't the only team considering him as a replacement at the moment.

According to MLB Network's Jon Heyman, the Red Sox has showing some interest in Meulens. Alex Cora also parted ways with Boston following the Astros' sign-stealing scandal, throwing them into the manager search now as well. 

In the wake of the electronic sign-stealing scandal that ultimately left three MLB teams without managers, one is reportedly eyeing a relatively recent addition to the Mets' coaching staff.

The Red Sox "have shown interest" in recently hired Mets bench coach Hensley Meulens, according to a Sunday evening report from Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

A follow-up note from Heyman moments later added that the Mets had not contacted John Gibbons or Buck Showalter. Both are reportedly candidates for the Astros, whom Dusty Baker is focused on.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes' performance in Sunday's AFC Championship Game, a 35-24 win over the Tennessee Titans at Arrowhead Stadium, resonated with more than just the average NFL fan.

As the Chiefs clinched their first Super Bowl appearance since January 1970, the only set of rings they have to date, former Mets catcher Mike Piazza saluted Mahomes on the signal caller's heroic effort.

Piazza, who played with Mahomes' father and former Mets RHP Patrick Mahomes Sr. from 1999-00, took to Twitter late Sunday evening and extended an according shout-out.

After mutually parting ways with Carlos Beltran, the Mets are searching for a new manager. Here's the latest...

Jan. 19, 9:05 PM:

Dusty Baker has not heard from the Mets or Red Sox and is focused on the Astros, he said Sunday evening while updating his managerial pursuit with reporters in Houston, including Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.

Steroids blew up the record books, changed the way we look at Cooperstown talent and cast a shadow of distrust and suspicion over the National Pastime.

Sign stealing has polluted the World Series, besmirched talented championship teams, cost four prominent executives their jobs - so far - and is making some wonder if technology should be banned from ballgames.

With the current uproar over sign stealing, there seems to be a natural urge to measure one modern scandal against the other. Both plunged spiny tentacles deep into the soul of the baseball, but which is worse, getting jacked up chemically to play better, or swinging based on ill-gotten electronic intel?

SNY's Keith Hernandez sat down to talk with comedian Jerry Seinfeld about how the former Mets first baseman landed on an episode of Seinfeld.

"I don't know if Larry (David) has ever said to you how we landed on you," Seinfeld said. "He must've asked me who was my favorite Met at the time, and I'm sure I said you."

Hernandez famously appeared as a guest star in "The Boyfriend" episode of Seinfeld's sitcom which aired Feb. 12, 1992.

After returning home to New York towards the end of last season, Joe Panik is now headed north of the border. The Hopewell Junction, N.Y., native and St. John's product has agreed to a deal with the Blue Jays, according to MLB.com's Jon Heyman.

Panik, 29, was released by the Giants in August after spending the first six seasons of his Major League career in San Francisco. He finished sixth in Rookie of the Year voting in 2014, was named an NL All-Star in 2015, but never fully developed into the player the Giants were hoping for when they drafted him in the first round in 2011. 

Panik slashed just .235/.310/.317 in 108 games with Giants last year, but was quickly signed by the Mets just two days after his release. He rebounded slightly with the change of scenery, finishing his 39-game stint in Queens with a .277/.333/.404 slash line.

On Friday's Baseball Night in New York, SNY's John Harper and Anthony McCarron, along with Newsday's David Lennon, revealed their 2020 ballots for the Baseball Hall of Fame.

While Derek Jeter appears on all three ballots -- as he awaits to find out if he will join teammate Mariano Rivera as the only unanimous Hall of Famers - there were some notable differences between the three ballots, mainly due to baseball's steroid era.

The Hall of Fame class of 2020 will be announced on Tuesday, January 21. Here is a look at the complete ballot.

The Mets are in upheaval roughly three weeks before spring training starts as they search for a new manager to replace Carlos Beltran.

In his latest mailbag, Matthew Cerrone answers questions about the Beltran situation and more...

The elephant in the room -- and the overwhelming question asked of me -- has been about who I want the Mets to hire to replace Carlos Beltran.

In the wake of the Phillies hiring Joe Girardi, who was my top choice at the start of the offseason, I advocated for Eduardo Perez -- not Beltran. I still like Perez, who I think has a unique mix of relatable player experience, knowledge of stats and feel for the game, media savvy, professionalism, in-game management skills and a commanding presence on and off the field. He signed a new deal with ESPN that can be broken if he is offered a gig to run a team or dugout.

Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |

No baseball team wants to find itself searching for a manager in late January, but that's where the Mets find themselves, after baseball's massive electronic cheating scandal swallowed Carlos Beltran.

The team did at least conduct an exhaustive search last October. The Mets will now lean on that work -- which began as two sets of lists on a white board in their offices, and continued on to include many in-person interviews -- as they try to make a quick but thoughtful decision on who should lead the club this year.

GM Brodie Van Wagenen declined comment on the process. Other indications are that the Mets would like to have a new manager by the end of next week.

Speaking Thursday night during an appearance on ESPN, where he works as an analyst, Eduardo Perez spoke about the Carlos Beltran situation and said he had not yet heard from the Mets as they embark on their second manager search of the offseason.

"I have not heard from the New York Mets," Perez said. "I think they're gonna do their due diligence and move forward from this. And I can tell you this: from the interview process that I did go through in October through November, they did their due diligence. This just popped up and it looks like it did not work their way. But at least with me, they did do their due diligence."

The 50-year-old Perez, who was one of three finalists for the Mets manager job before it went to Beltran and could be a candidate again this time around, agreed with Beltran and the Mets parting ways.

As the dust settles after the Mets and manager Carlos Beltran mutually parted ways on Thursday, the team has started their second managerial search of the offseason, with GM Brodie Van Wagenen saying the team is considering internal and external candidates. 

Here are the odds for who the Mets will choose to replace Beltran, per betonline.ag.

Eduardo Perez: +300
Hensley Meulens: +350
Luis Rojas: +400
Tim Bogar: +400
Terry Collins: +700
Tony DeFrancesco: +700
Bruce Bochy: +900
Buck Showalter: +900
Dusty Baker: +900
John Gibbons: +1000
Kevin Long: +1200

The "sense among Brewers people" is that their current bench coach, Pat Murphy, would be an "ideal fit" for Mets manager, reports Robert Murray.

The 61-year-old Murphy's name first emerged when the Mets were beginning their third round of interviews that eventually led to the hiring of Carlos Beltran, with Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reporting at the time that Murphy had already had two interviews with the Mets for the job.

Since parting ways with Beltran on Thursday amidst the Astros sign-stealing scandal, Luis Rojas has come up as a potential candidate and Joe McEwing has thrown his hat in the ring. Other potential candidates could include bench coach Hensley Meulens.

Terry Collins is not expected to be in the mix, SNY's Andy Martino reported Thursday.

The Mets announced on Thursday afternoon that team and Carlos Beltran have mutually parted ways, following Beltran's including in Major League Baseball's report on the Astros sign-stealing scandal.

So now the question becomes where to the Mets turn to find their next manager?

According to SNY's Andy Martino, Mets quality control coach Luis Rojas has come up as an internal candidate while early indications are that former manager Terry Collins will not be a candidate for the job.

Other candidates could include Eduardo Perez, a finalist for the job this past November, while SNY's John Harper believes the Mets should hire Buck Showalter. 

On Thursday, the Mets and Carlos Beltran mutually agreed to part ways, just a few days after the recently named Mets manager was named in MLB's report on the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal.

After the news broke, some of the Mets players took to social media to weigh in.

One of those players was first baseman Pete Alonso, who at just 25 years old has already begun to establish himself as a leader within the team clubhouse.

Carlos Beltran, a superb hitter and gifted outfielder, becomes eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2023. Time may dim the current furor over his prominent role in the Astros' sign-stealing scandal, but it's hard to imagine his candidacy won't be impacted by it. 

Is it enough to keep him out of Cooperstown? That's unknowable now. 

Maybe it sinks what some believe is a borderline case, or at least gives undecided voters pause. Some longtime voting members of the Baseball Writers Association of America I spoke to Thursday say they now consider the scheme part of the data that they must evaluate in Beltran's case.

But perhaps Beltran, a nine-time All-Star, was so good that all will be overlooked. One voter said Thursday said he won't view the star's candidacy any differently in light of the sign-stealing.  

John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter |

So the Josh Donaldson domino finally fell on Tuesday night, and by landing in Minnesota it didn't tilt the balance of power in the NL East, after all. Or my offseason grades, for that matter.

Either the Nationals or the Braves could have separated themselves by signing -- or re-signing -- the power-hitting third baseman. Instead, there's not much to separate the work the four contenders did this offseason, and even the Marlins at least warrant a grade this time for spending a little dough to upgrade their roster.

Last season, the division was the toughest in the majors, producing the 97-win Braves, the World Series-winning Nationals, a Mets team that went 46-26 in the second half (falling just short of a wild-card berth), and the dangerous-but-flawed Phillies who faded down the stretch but at least finished at .500.

Speaking Thursday after the Mets and manager Carlos Beltran mutually agreed to part ways, COO Jeff Wilpon and GM Brodie Van Wagenen went over the timeline of events and went into detail about the decision-making process that led to Beltran being out as manager.

Van Wagenen said the Mets were unaware of the sign-stealing situation with the Astros when Beltran was hired on Nov. 1 and that the organization first found out about the involvement of Beltran on Nov. 12 when the initial story in The Athletic was published.

At that time, the Mets deferred to MLB for them to lead the investigation.

Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |

As he did his work on the field in Port St. Lucie on Wednesday, charming fantasy campers and huddling with staff, Carlos Beltran carried around a sadness perceptible to others. His friends in the organization felt it, too -- bummed, perhaps angry, and in disbelief that a promising career was about to end before it started.

There was a path forward for the Mets and Beltran. He could have held a news conference to apologize for his role in the historic Houston Astros cheating scandal. The team could have noted that Beltran was a player in 2017 -- not a team official like GM Jeff Luhnow, manager A.J. Hinch, and bench coach Alex Cora.

The only development that would have made it truly necessary to fire Beltran would have been if he lied to the team. But, according to the Mets' statement, " We believe that Carlos was honest and forthcoming with us. "