Curtis Granderson, who played with the Mets from 2014 to 2017 during his 16-year career, has announced his retirement from Major League Baseball.

I've been blessed to play professional baseball for the greater part of two decades," Granderson wrote. "As I reflect on my career, I realize that not much has changed since those early days in Little League. My parents and family are still my greatest fans, and they impart the same message today that they did back then: give back, never forget to enjoy the ride, and don't think; have fun.

I'm eternally grateful to every team and every city I've had the opportunity to call "home": Detroit, New York (both the Bronx and Queens), Los Angeles, Toronto, Milwaukee, Miami, and of course, my hometown of Chicago. It is these communities that allowed me to take my Grand Kids Foundation to new heights and use my platform for positive change.

Mets 1B Pete Alonso and RHP Marcus Stroman have the production, voice, age, and confidence to be on- and off-field leaders for their team in 2020.

Both players are capable of motivating teammates. Both are capable of intentionally and unintentionally antagonizing opponents and members of the media. And both have, and will continue to, fire up fans.

Respectively, for all of the above reasons, both have become appointment viewing -- not just because they might say something colorful or act in bold way, but because their talent and work ethic outweigh their words and personality.

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.

John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter |

In a Mets decade that produced two Rookies of the Year, three Cy Young Awards in addition to an All-Star Game starting pitcher, a batting champ, a major-league home run leader and a record-setting post-season home run hitter, you'd think the team in Queens would have more highs to look back on than lows.

Yet it's not even close.

The Mets finished 86-76 in 2019 while the Braves won the NL East and the Nationals secured a Wild Card spot and went on to win the World Series. 

As the Mets have been largely silent this offseason, the Braves, Nats, and Phillies -- who finished in fourth place in 2019 -- have all made big moves to strengthen their positions for 2020.

Here's where things stand in the NL East...

With the end of the decade just a handful of days away, SNY is taking a look back at the best players to call New York home over the past 10 years. The following Mets All-Decade Team was put together by insider Andy Martino. Find out if you agree with the list ...

Manager: Terry Collins (2011-17)

When Collins took over for the Mets in 2011, he hadn't been a big-league manager since 1999 with the Angels. The Mets finished under .500 in each of his first four seasons, but in 2015, Collins and the Mets finished with 90 wins, taking home the NL East crown. Collins then saw the team make their first World Series since 2000, though they came up short against the Kansas City Royals.Ultimately, Collins won 551 games as Mets' skipper.

The Mets have reshaped their roster over the last year and change, saying goodbye to some familiar faces (some beloved, some not) in the process. Every week, we'll take a look at how some of those former Mets are performing with their new teams...

Anthony Kay, Blue Jays

Kay did not appear again for the Blue Jays after getting his first career win in Sept. 19's 8-4 victory against the Baltimore Orioles when he went 4.0 innings of relief and allowed two runs on four hits while striking out three and walking one. Traded to Toronto (67-95) in the July 28 deal that brought Marcus Stroman to the Mets, Kay went 1-0 with a 5.79 ERA in three games (two starts) Sept. 7, 13 and 19.

The Mets have reshaped their roster over the last year and change, saying goodbye to some familiar faces (some beloved, some not) in the process. Every week, we'll take a look at how some of those former Mets are performing with their new teams...

Anthony Kay, Blue Jays

After two no-decision starts, including Sept. 13's 4.1-inning struggle against the Yankees, Kay bounced back in last Thursday's outing at Baltimore. In his first career appearance as an MLB reliever, the southpaw logged 4.0 innings from the third frame all the way through the sixth, limiting the Orioles to two runs on four hits with three strikeouts to one walks. At the end of Toronto's 8-4 victory, Kay was credited with his first career win. Through three games (two starts), Kay is 1-0 with a 5.79 ERA and 13 strikeouts to five walks over 14.0 innings.

The Mets have reshaped their roster over the last year and change, saying goodbye to some familiar faces (some beloved, some not) in the process. Every week, we'll take a look at how some of those former Mets are performing with their new teams...

Anthony Kay, Blue Jays

The lefty lasted 4.1 inning against the Yankees on Sept. 13, allowing five earned runs on seven hits. However, he got a no-decision in the game and has yet to record a win or loss in two career starts.

The Mets have reshaped their roster over the last year and change, saying goodbye to some familiar faces (some beloved, some not) in the process. Every week, we'll take a look at how some of those former Mets are performing with their new teams...

Wilmer Flores, Diamondbacks

Mets fans know that when Wilmer Flores gets hot, he's an awfully tough out, and that's exactly what he's been for the D-backs of late. The former Mets infielder is 13-for-26 in his last seven games, compiling a robust slash line of .500/.536/.846 with two homers and seven RBI. All of this despite a nagging back issue which is forcing him in and out of the Arizona lineup.

The Mets have reshaped their roster over the last year and change, saying goodbye to some familiar faces (some beloved, some not) in the process. Every week, we'll take a look at how some of those former Mets are performing with their new teams...

Adeiny Hechavarria, Braves

After being released by the Mets earlier this month, the Braves signed Hechavarria to provide a stopgap at shortstop while Dansby Swanson recovers from an injury. He contributed in a big way against his former team on Friday, doubling in the go-ahead run in the 14th inning to give the Braves a 2-1 lead and the eventual win. 

The Mets have reshaped their roster over the last year and change, saying goodbye to some familiar faces (some beloved, some not) in the process. Every week, we'll take a look at how some of those former Mets are performing with their new teams...

Asdrubal Cabrera, Nationals

Cabrera has had a relative resurgence since joining the Nationals, going 9-for-26 with five RBI in eight games. He singled in his only at-bat on Sunday and added two multi-hit games to his ledger in the past week. 

The Mets have reshaped their roster over the last year and change, saying goodbye to some familiar faces (some beloved, some not) in the process. Every week, we'll take a look at how some of those former Mets are performing with their new teams...

Asdrubal Cabrera, Nationals

Cabrera was designated for assignment by the Rangers last week, but signed with the Nationals on Tuesday. He went 1-for-4 against the Mets on Saturday, but delivered a go-ahead, two-run double in the seventh inning on Sunday. The former Met also played for the Nationals in 2014.

The Mets have reshaped their roster over the last year and change, saying goodbye to some familiar faces (some beloved, some not) in the process. Every week, we'll take a look at how some of those former Mets are performing with their new teams...

Asdrubal Cabrera, Free Agent (formerly of Rangers)

The Rangers announced they were designating Cabrera for assignment on Wednesday, following a disappointing 93 games with the team. The former Mets infielder did hit 12 home runs, but was hitting only .235/.318/.393. The team requested unconditional release waivers, and Cabrera will hope to catch on elsewhere.

The Mets have reshaped their roster over the last year and change, saying goodbye to some familiar faces (some beloved, some not) in the process. Every week, we'll take a look at how some of those former Mets are performing with their new teams...

Matt Harvey, Free Agent (formerly of Angels) 

Matt Harvey's time with the Angels has come to a close. The right-hander was designated for assignment by the team on July 19, and subsequently released two days later. The 30-year-old made 12 starts for the Angels this season, going 3-5 with a lofty 7.09 ERA. His final start was a loss to the Astros, in which he allowed six runs on seven hits over six innings pitched.

The Mets have reshaped their roster over the last year and change, saying goodbye to some familiar faces (some beloved, some not) in the process. Every week, we'll take a look at how some of those former Mets are performing with their new teams...

Matt Harvey, Angels

Harvey took the mound for the Angels on Saturday for the first time in seven weeks after being sidelined with an upper back strain. The right-hander turned in a strong performance, going 5.2 innings and allowing one run on four hits and three walks while striking out three against the Mariners. The run did not come until a sac fly in the sixth, opening the game with five scoreless frames. 

The Mets have reshaped their roster over the last year and change, saying goodbye to some familiar faces (some beloved, some not) in the process. Every week, we'll take a look at how some of those former Mets are performing with their new teams...

Jarred Kelenic, Mariners (minors)

The trade for Edwin Diaz and Robinson Cano continues to look like one the Mets may regret. While Diaz blew yet another save this week, Kelenic was selected to the All-Star Futures Game as he continues to prove he is one of the promising young prospects in baseball. 

Kelenic struggled this week, though. He is just 2 for his last 24 with nine strikeouts over his last seven games and is hitting just .217/.269/.400 with two home runs and nine RBI since being promoted to High-A ball after dominating Low-A ball with a .309 average and 11 home runs in 50 games. 

The Mets have reshaped their roster over the last year and change, saying goodbye to some familiar faces (some beloved, some not) in the process. Every week, we'll take a look at how some of those former Mets are performing with their new teams...

Jarred Kelenic, Mariners (minors)

As Edwin Diaz continues to falter in high-leverage situations, the trade that brought himself and Robinson Canó to Flushing draws increased ire. Kelenic was one of the main prospects included in the deal and got out to a scalding start with Class A West Virginia. 

Number eight in our countdown of the 10 Greatest Home Runs at Citi Field comes courtesy of Curtis Granderson, who sealed the win versus Minnesota with an extra inning walk-off in 2016. Keep following along as we celebrate another season of Citi Community Home Runs benefitting @NoKidHungry!

The Mets have reshaped their roster over the last year and change, saying goodbye to some familiar faces (some beloved, some not) in the process. Every week, we'll take a look at how some of those former Mets are performing with their new teams...

Jarred Kelenic, Mariners (minors)

Kelenic's promotion to High-A has been met with success through a small sample size (seven games). The 19-year-old is batting .375/.423/.667 with two homers and five RBI. He's also stolen a base in three consecutive contests. 

The Mets have reshaped their roster over the last year and change, saying goodbye to some familiar faces (some beloved, some not) in the process. Every week, we'll take a look at how some of those former Mets are performing with their new teams...

Jarred Kelenic, Mariners (minors)

The 19-year-old Kelenic, the prized prospect the Mets included in the Diaz/Cano deal, has cooled off over the last two weeks as his triple slash has dropped from a ridiculously good .340/.441/.630 to a still-impressive .314/.397/.529.

In 39 games this season for Seattle's Low-A affiliate, Kelenic has six homers, 13 doubles, one triple, and seven stolen bases. 

The Mets have reshaped their roster over the last year and change, saying goodbye to some familiar faces (some beloved, some not) in the process. Every week, we'll take a look at how some of those former Mets are performing with their new teams...

Jarred Kelenic, Mariners (minors)

The 19-year-old Kelenic, the prized prospect the Mets included in the Diaz/Cano deal, has cooled off a bit over the last week as his triple slash has dropped from a ridiculously good .340/.441/.630 to .326/.416/.581.

In 33 games this season for Seattle's Low-A affiliate, Kelenic has six homers, 13 doubles, one triple, and six stolen bases. 

The Mets have reshaped their roster over the last year and change, saying goodbye to some familiar faces (some beloved, some not) in the process. Every week, we'll take a look at how some of those former Mets are performing with their new teams...

Jarred Kelenic, Mariners (minors)

The 19-year-old Kelenic, the prized prospect the Mets included in the Diaz/Cano deal, is tearing the cover off the ball for Low-A West Virginia -- where he recently hit four homers in four games. 

The Mets have reshaped their roster over the last year and change, saying goodbye to some familiar faces (some beloved, some not) in the process. Every week, we'll take a look at how some of those former Mets are performing with their new teams...

Wilmer Flores, Diamondbacks

The former fan favorite hasn't been playing much more than if he were still on the Mets, as he's still operating in a bench role primarily. He's batting .219 and lacking significant pop -- he has four doubles and no homers, while driving in just five runs during the first month of the season. 

The Mets have reshaped their roster over the last year and change, saying goodbye to some familiar faces (some beloved, some not) in the process. Every week, we'll take a look at how some of those former Mets are performing with their new teams...

Wilmer Flores, Diamondbacks

Flores is hitting .236 in 17 games. So far, he has no homers and only one RBI with four doubles with his new team. 

The Mets have reshaped their roster over the last year and change, saying goodbye to some familiar faces (some beloved, some not) in the process. Every week, we'll take a look at how some of those former Mets are performing with their new teams...

Wilmer Flores, Diamondbacks

Flores is struggling in Arizona, hitting just .200/.256/.275 with zero homers and three doubles in 40 at-bats over 12 games. He's been slumping especially badly since April 6, with just three hits in 20 at-bats.

The Mets have reshaped their roster over the last year and change, saying goodbye to some familiar faces (some beloved, some not) in the process. Every week, we'll take a look at how some of those former Mets are performing with their new teams...

Wilmer Flores, Diamondbacks

Most Mets fans miss Wilmer, who the team non-tendered this offseason. So far for the Diamondbacks. Flores is hitting just .227/.292/.318 with no homers in 22 at-bats over six games. 

Curtis Granderson makes his return to Citi Field as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday night.

The 37-year-old Granderson is hitting .266/.431/.468 with three HR in 33 games this season for the Blue Jays. Granderson played for the Mets from 2014 until being traded to the Dodgers for a player to be named later (who turned out to be Jacob Rhame) last August.

After signing a four-year deal worth $60 million prior to the 2014 season, Granderson hit .239/.341/.444 with 95 HR in 573 games for the Mets...

The Mets believe free agent Howie Kendrick could be a "potential fit" at second base, reports Mike Puma of the New York Post.

Dodgers OF and former Met Curtis Granderson was left off the Dodgers' World Series roster. 

Granderson has played six postseason games with the Dodgers -- three in each series. In 15 plate appearances, he's only tallied one hit while striking out eight total times in those games. 

The 36-year-old did not find good fortunes in Los Angeles during the regular season as he hit only .161 over 36 games.

Granderson, who was in his final year of his four-year, $60 million contract with the Mets, was traded to the Dodgers for minor league reliever Jacob Rhame. He hit .239 with 95 homers and 247 RBI over his four-year stint with the Mets.

Dodgers outfielder and former Met Curtis Granderson believes Mets' hitting coach Kevin Long has what it takes to succeed in a managerial role. 

Long recently interviewed for the Mets' manager position on Friday as the team continues to look for Terry Collins' successor. Among the wide array of candidates are Brad Ausmus, Alex Cora, Robin Ventura, and Joe McEwing to name a few. 

Granderson, though, feels that Long can make an impact in the manager role despite his lack of experience...

There's a lot of skepticism at the true impact a hitting coach can have on a swing decades in the making, but one of the few who has undeniably made his mark is Kevin Long. That talent has made him invaluable to the Mets and has pushed his name near the top of the list of managerial candidates.

Long has had a significant effect on Mets hitting since joing the team in 2015. He translated the organizational focus on plate discipline -- not necessarily with the goal of drawing walks, but with the goal of finding a pitch to drive -- in a way that clicked for many of their hitters.

Curtis Granderson, who had sung Long's praises since they worked together in the Bronx, rebounded from a rough Mets debut to put together one of the best seasons of his career. Yoenis Cespedes, Neil Walker, and Asdrubal Cabrera both saw big spikes in on base percentage working under Long as well. And Long's intense work with Daniel Murphy certainly seems to have paid off as well, albeit not for the Mets...

Michelle Ioannou, MetsBlog | Twitter |  The 2017 season was not supposed to go the way that it did. Mets fans were supposed to be basking in October baseball bliss, celebrating entering the postseason for the third year in a row. Instead, all Mets fans are doing is basking in some of the much needed changes that have been made in the mere 96 hours since the season ended.

That's not a bad thing. In fact, it's a great thing to be basking in, especially after all of the injuries and other questionable decisions that happened throughout this season. MRIs not being taken, minor leaguers not being ready for the bigs even though they should be, injury after injury after injury... I don't have to go into detail, you all know how horrid this season was.

It was the opposite of how any of us thought it was supposed to go, with literally everyone thinking this was a playoff team. The pitching was there and finally together. The big bats were there, especially with Yoenis Cespedes's extended contract. No one could have expected the season to go the way it did. And if you did suspect that, you really need to go and play lotto...

Jose Reyes will make his first-ever start in left field on Tuesday night when the Mets play the Reds in Cincinnati.

Juan Lagares is starting in center field with Brandon Nimmo in right field.

Reyes, who played one inning in center field earlier this year, has started 60 games at shortstop, 31 games at third base, and seven games at second base this season.

The Mets recently lost outfielders Michael Conforto (shoulder) and Yoenis Cespedes (hamstring) for the season. They traded outfielders Jay Bruce and Curtis Granderson earlier this month.

Curtis Granderson, who the Mets traded to the Dodgers earlier this month, wrote an article in the Players' Tribune thanking Mets fans and the city of New York.

Two of Granderson's first memories with the Mets were how "thoughtful and generous" David Wright was in helping to get him acclimated and "Lucas Duda hitting bombs."

Granderson and Duda hit it off and "Club Grandy" started in the locker room.

Dodgers OF Curtis Granderson reflected on his time with the Yankees in his latest Players' Tribune article. 

Granderson, who was recently traded from the Mets to the Dodgers, looked back on his time with both New York teams. With the Yankees specifically, he recalled his first game in 2010. 

Not only was Granderson joining the defending World Series champions, but he had to play in Fenway Park against the Red Sox in his first time wearing a Yankees uniform. He had only heard about the rivalry, but it was Yankees captain SS Derek Jeter that made him truly understand what it meant to the fans...

RH reliever Jacob Rhame, who the Mets received from the Dodgers in exchange for Curtis Granderson, is now the team's No. 23 ranked prospect, according to MLB.com.

Rhame's ranking is the highest among all the prospects the Mets have received while trading Granderson, Lucas Duda, Addison Reed, Jay Bruce, and Neil Walker over the last few weeks.

"Like a number of young players we got, he's a righthanded pitcher who throws hard," Mets GM Sandy Alderson said, according to Newsday. "He's close to major-league ready. Hopefully, we'll see him either in September or spring training. We're very happy we got him."

The Mets don't currently have any more trades in the works, GM Sandy Alderson said on Monday.

"There's another week or so between now and the August 31 deadline for players to be on a playoff roster. So, anything can happen," Alderson said, according to Newsday. "As of right now, there's nothing in the works."

With the team ouf of contention, the Mets have traded Lucas Duda, Addison Reed, Jay Bruce, Neil Walker, and Curtis Granderson over the last few weeks.

The Mets traded OF Curtis Granderson to the Dodgers in exchange for RH reliever Jacob Rhame over the weekend.

The 36-year-old Granderson was in the final year of a four-year, $60 million deal.

The Mets have acquried minor league reliever Jacob Rhame in the trade that sent Curtis Granderson to the Dodgers, the team announced on Sunday.

In 41 games for the Dodgers' Triple-A team this season, Rhame pitched in 41 games, posting a 4.31 ERA while earning two saves in four opportunities. All 210 of his appearances in his minor league career have come in relief, and he has a career 3.11 ERA. 

Rhame was drafted by the Dodgers in the sixth round of the June Amateur Draft in 2013.

Meanwhile, Granderson, 36, is in the final year of a four-year, $60 million deal.

There are five teams, including the Nationals, that have recently reached out to the Mets about acquiring Curtis Granderson, radio host Mike Francesa reported Friday on WFAN.

I'd also list the Orioles, Brewers and Twins -- and maybe the Pirates and Yankees -- among the teams still keeping an eye on Curtis, who is free to be traded after clearing waivers earlier this month. 

In the event he's traded during the next few days, I expect it will be similar to what Sandy Alderson got from the Indians for Jay Bruce. In other words, the acquiring team will likely pick up his remaining salary with Alderson adding another arm or two to his farm system.

For a full box score of the game, click here.

Things you should know about tonight's game...

1) Steven Matz was roughed up for seven runs -- six earned -- on seven hits and two walks while striking out four in 3 1/3 innings. He needed 40 pitches to get through the first when he allowed a three-run homer to Gary Sanchez. Matz was removed after loading the bases and allowing a two-run double to Brett Gardner in the fourth. Sanchez singled home two more runs off Chasen Bradford that were charged to his ledger.

2) Curtis Granderson hit a grand slam in the ninth and Matt Reynolds had an RBI single that drove in the Mets' first run in the seventh.

Mets GM Sandy Alderson was not told by ownership to slash payroll during this season, he said Wednesday at Citi Field.

With the team out of contention, Alderson has traded Lucas Duda, Addison Reed, Jay Bruce, and Neil Walker-- all of whom are eligible for free agency after the season -- over the last few weeks, shedding $11.6 million in salary in the process.

However, the Mets did add $2.3 million in salary when they acquired RHP AJ Ramos -- who is expected to be their setup man in 2018 -- from the Marlins last month.

Due to his current hot streak, teams are reportedly again becoming interested in acquiring Mets outfielder Curtis Granderson, sources recently told the NY Post's Mike Puma.

Granderson struggled in April and July, did well in May and June, and is hitting .286 with five home runs, two doubles and 10 RBI, with a .271 BABIP in 11 games during July.

According to Puma, the Nationals, who may be looking to replace the injured Bryce Harper, had a scout at Yankee Stadium on Monday.

The Brewers, who acquired Neil Walker from the Mets this past weekend, reportedly had interest in Granderson prior to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

For a full box score of the game, click here.

Things you should know about tonight's game...

1) Hansel Robles allowed a tie-breaking home run to Aaron Hicks leading off the eighth inning. Gary Sanchez added a solo blast off Erik Goeddel later in the frame.

2) Rafael Montero pitched six innings and allowed two runs on five hits and two walks with six strikeouts. He escaped a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the fourth when he surrendered only a sacrifce fly. Aaron Judge's 36th home run of the year tied the game, 2-2, in the sixth.

Aaron Hicks, Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez each hit solo home runs to power the New York Yankees to a 4-2 win over the Mets on Monday at Yankee Stadium. >> Box score

With the game tied at 2 in the bottom of the eighth inning, Hicks crushed Hansel Robles' 1-1 fastball to deep right field to give the Yankees a 3-2 lead. Sanchez added an insurance run later in the inning with a solo home run off Erik Goeddel.

The Yankees trailed 2-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning when Judge slugged his American League-leading 36th home run of the season, his second in the month of August, to tie the game.

For a full box score of the game, click here.

Things you should know about today's game...

1) Curtis Granderson led the Mets on offense with three hits, three RBIs, and two runs scored. He doubled in the first, hit a two-run homer in the fifth, and added a single in the seventh inning. Michael Conforto hit his 26th home run and had two RBIs, while Jose Reyes had two hits and scored twice. Wilmer Flores also had two hits, including an RBI single in the seventh inning.

2) Chris Flexen struck out a career-high five batters and limited the Phillies to two runs on six hits in five innings to earn his second big league win. Chasen Bradford, Jerry Blevens, Paul Sewald, and AJ Ramos each pitched scoreless innings in relief to close out the win for the Mets.

With Jay Bruce traded to the Cleveland Indians and Curtis Granderson set to be a free agent at season's end, that allows the Mets to move Michael Conforto to right field in 2018.

So where do team officials turn for a center fielder next season? After all, a platoon of Brandon Nimmo and Juan Lagares in that position (with Yoenis Cespedes and Conforto in the corners) really does not seem like the best-case scenario.

The Mets were set to trade Neil Walker to the Yankees on July 31, but the Yankees backed out of the deal ahead of the deadline because of medicals, sources told Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.

Recently, the Yankees have again expressed interest in trading for Mets INF Neil Walker, reports Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.