What’s Up with the Mets? 🍎

• The Mets extended $19.65 million qualifying offers (thus tying them to draft pick compensation in the 2023 draft should they depart) to Chris Bassitt, Jacob deGrom and Brandon Nimmo - they declined to do so with Taijuan Walker

• The Mets picked up RHP Carlos Carrasco’s 2023 club option for $14 million as well as the $775,000 club option for RHP John Curtiss

• Jeff McNeil won the Silver Slugger Award at second base in the National League, the first Met to do so at second base since Edgardo Alfonzo in 1999

• Terrance Gore was outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse, but he refused the assignment and elected free agency

• The agents for Jacob deGrom have informed the Rangers he could be interested in signing with them this winter (New York Post)

• The Mets are showing some early interest in LHP Carlos Rodón (SI)

• The Mariners have shown early interest in OF Brandon Nimmo (MLB Network)

• The Red Sox are looking for more pitching and have been linked to Seth Lugo’s free agency (Mass Live)

• The Mets would consider re-signing Michael Conforto, who became a free agent last winter but remained unsigned due to a shoulder injury (Athletic)

Hot Stove 🔥

• The Dodgers declined their option on Justin Turner - he is now a free agent

• The Dodgers are close to signing LHP Clayton Kershaw to a one-year contract (Athletic)

• Justin Verlander triggered his opt-out with the Astros - he is now a free agent

• RHP Robert Suárez and the Padres agreed to a five-year, $46 million contract (MLB Network)

• The Brewers declined their option on reliever Brad Boxberger - he is now a free agent

• Evan Longoria heads to free agency for the first time in his career as the Giants declined his option for 2023

• INF Ji-Man Choi is going back to the Pirates in a trade with the Rays (TB Times) - the Rays also declined their option on defensive whizz Kevin Kiermaier

PSA: Dobbs Ferry Youth Little League - Memorial Park Renovation Project 📣

Earlier this year, I wrote about a fundraiser to fuel a badly-needed renovation project for the baseball field used by the Dobbs Ferry Youth Little League. The project has been funded solely by the community members and their generous donations.

We are excited to share with you the project is underway and the expectation is the new field will be ready for the kids on Opening Day in April, 2023. There will be a special “sod laying” ceremony at the field on November 19 on the grounds of the field which should be a fun (albeit chilly) event to officially kick the project off.

However, as is the case with so many things these days, the costs of this project have exceeded our initial expectations. So, we are looking for more help to ensure this project is seen through to completion and the youth baseball and softball teams in Dobbs Ferry and the surrounding communities have a field to play on in 2023.

More information can be found here.

If you are interested in supporting the project, you can use the following mediums to send a donation:

• Zelle: Dobbs Ferry Youth Baseball League, Inc. at dfyouthbaseball@dfyll.org

• Venmo: @wkelly9

Thank you in advance for your support!