Just Mets Digest - December 22-29
Here's a roundup of this week's Mets news and stories, and notes from around the league
What’s Up with the Mets This Week? 🍎
December 29
The Mets had interest in signing OF Teoscar Hernández to a two-year contract with a similar average annual value (no deferrals) to that which he ultimately took in a three-year deal from the Dodgers (Newsday | Athletic)
The Mets remain interested in signing Jesse Winker (Athletic)
December 28
The Mets officially announced the signing of LHP Sean Manaea on a three-year deal The contract is worth $75 million - $23.25 million of which is reportedly deferred - and Manaea will automatically slot in as the team’s ace for the 2025 season
December 27
Pete Alonso and the Mets remain far apart in contract talks, and the Mets are considering alternatives in case they can’t retain Alonso (New York Post)
December 26
Pete Alonso’s market is dwindling (New York Post)
Alonso deserves to be a Met (Newsday)
December 24
$23.25 million of Sean Manaea’s new contract with the Mets is deferred, with payouts of $2.35 million beginning annually in 2035 through 2044 (Athletic)
The industry believes Pete Alonso will eventually sign with the Mets (Rosenthal | Foul Territory)
December 23
The Mets agreed to sign LHP Sean Manaea to a three-year, $75 million contract (story)
The Mets signed LHP Anthony Gose and RHP Luis Ortiz to minor league deals with invitations to big league spring training
Former Met, all-time great and Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson passed away on Saturday at the age of 65 (story)
The Mets luxury tax bill for 2024 was $97,115,609. They were among nine clubs to pay a total of $311.3 million in penalties this past season, up from $209.8 million from 2023 (AP)
Hot Stove Roundup ♨️
December 29
The Giants have Pete Alonso on their radar (SF Chronicle)
The Dodgers met with RHP Rōki Sasaki (OC Register)
The Red Sox have shown an unwillingness to trade 1B Triston Casas to the Mariners for RHP Luis Castillo unless Seattle took Masataka Yoshida as well(MLB.com)
December 28
The Yankees are high on both LHP Andrew Chafin and LHP Tim Hill as they look to upgrade their bullpen (NY Post)
INF Gleyber Torres turned down the Nationals because he didn’t want to play third base (NY Post)
RHP Nick Pivetta is drawing interest from the likes of the Red Sox and Blue Jays (NY Post)
The Padres could look to trade RHP Dylan Cease if they land free agent stud Roki Sasaki this winter (Heyman)
December 27
The Marlins could be open to trading RHP Sandy Alcantara (Miami Herald)
The Dodgers and Padres remain the favorites to sign Roki Sasaki (New York Post)
December 26
The Rangers are showing interest in RHP Chris Martin (Dallas Morning News)
The Yankees are expressing interest in LHP Tim Hill for their bullpen (New York Post)
The Astros will looking for bullpen help and a left-handed hitting outfielder (Houston Chronicle)
December 24
The Rangers are prioritizing re-signing RHP Kirby Yates (Athletic)
The Mets showed interest in Joc Pederson before he signed with the Rangers (New York Post)
December 23
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. won’t negotiate an extension with the Blue Jays beyond the first day of spring training (Sportsnet)
December 22
The Blue Jays and Diamondbacks have expressed interest in Cardinals closer RHP Ryan Helsey (MLB.com)
The Cardinals recently turned down and never presented an offer from the Yankees for Marcus Stroman in exchange for 3B Nolan Arenado (MLB.com)
The Tigers are Guardians are expressing interest in trading for Cardinals starting pitchers, namely RHP Erick Fedde and LHP Steven Matz (MLB.com)
Stories ✍️
What the Mets failed pursuit of Teoscar Hernández might mean (Baron)
The Alex Bregman vs. Pete Alonso debate (Steele)
2024 was only a start, not an end (Surovich)
Realistic, and unrealistic left-handed power options (Baron)
The elephant(s) in the room (Baron)
What’s Brandon Nimmo’s lineup role in 2025 (Mears)
So, what’s left for Pete Alonso? (Baron)