Joe McEwing – PaulHadsall.com

Brandon Nimmo (Photo credit: Paul Hadsall) — Brandon Nimmo, who played for the Double-A Binghamton Mets in 2014, could make his major league debut as a September call up next year. *(Photo credit: Paul Hadsall)*

It’s never too early to start looking ahead to next season. ESPN New York’s Adam Rubin has started doing just that with a series of “Burning Questions” articles. The first installment covers ten Mets prospects who could make their major league debut in 2015.

Other links:

Jacob deGrom is a finalist for the MLB Players’ Choice “Outstanding Rookie” award. (ESPN New York)
Travis d’Arnaud‘s surgery to address a bone spur in his right elbow was successful. (ESPN New York)
The Arizona Diamondbacks have received permission to interview Chicago White Sox third base coach Joe McEwing for their managerial vacancy. McEwing played for the Mets from 2000-04. (NJ.com)
15-year-old blogger Niko Goutakolis conducted an interview with Mets in-game host Branden Wellington last month. (Pepper: a Mets Blog)
If you collect baseball cards, you have a chance to win some in the fourth annual “Almost Easiest World Series Contest on the Web” (Collector’s Crack)

There are 47 days until New York Mets pitchers and catchers report to Port St. Lucie for spring training.

Hisanori Takahashi 2010 Topps Chrome autographed card from my collection

Since 1962, 14 Mets players have worn #47. Jay Hook was the first, Hisanori Takahashi was the last, Tom Glavine was the most famous and Joe McEwing was the most versatile. But the player I associate with #47 is 1986 Mets closer Jesse Orosco. Who can forget the sight of Orosco’s glove flying up into the air as he celebrated getting the last out of the 1986 World Series?

GM Sandy Alderson made a bit of news yesterday, signing minor league free agent infielder Omar Quintanilla (as first reported by Adam Rubin of ESPN New York.) The move was widely panned by Mets fans, but for the sake of my own sanity I’m going to pretend that Quintanilla was signed to back up Reese Havens, Jordany Valdespin, or whoever else might be playing the middle infield positions for the Buffalo Bisons this year. (At least until Quintanilla ends up on the major league roster, anyway.)

ESPN New York also reported the oh-so-exciting details of the contracts given to new Mets relievers Frank Francisco and Jon Rauch. If any of the beat writers start keeping track of the number of games Rauch finishes because of his modest contract incentives, I think I’m going to end up pulling out what’s left of my hair in frustration.

The Mets have their winter blood drive scheduled for Thursday – all donors will receive a voucher for a pair of tickets to a game in April.

In hobby news, Nick Diunte profiled Chris Potter of Chris Potter Sports (the guy behind the private autograph signings I seem to be plugging just about every month.)

Tag: Joe McEwing

Morning reading: Mets prospects who could debut in 2015 & more

47 days until spring (training)