Just Mets Digest - December 29 - January 5
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? 🍎
January 4
Sean Manaea is deferring $7.75 million per year without interest in his new three-year contract. the $23.25 million in deferred money will be paid out between 2035-2044 (Athletic)
A new deal between Alonso and the Mets could include opt-out clauses after the 2025 and/or 2026 seasons (MLB.com)
A potential pursuit by the Mets of Alex Bregman will depend on whether or not Pete Alonso returns (MLB.com)
January 3
Luisangel Acuña was named as a finalist for Rookie of the Year in the Venezuelan Winter League (SI.com)
January 2
The Mets remain the “most likely scenario” for Pete Alonso in free agency despite the standoff (New York Post)
The contract length appears to be the biggest gap to bridge in the Mets/Alonso negotiations (New York Post)
December 31
Former Met Lenny Randle passed away at the age of 75
Market size isn’t a factor for Mets target Roki Sasaki, who is soon expected to begin the process of eliminating teams (SNY)
Sasaki has had in-person meetings with a number of teams - including the Mets and Yankees - and is now in Japan discussing his decision with his family
Joel Wolfe, Sasaki’s agent, told reporters on a Zoom call that he doesn’t expect Sasaki to sign with a team when the international signing period begins on Jan. 15. Instead, a decision is more likely between that date and Jan. 23, the deadline of Sasaki’s posting process
Most importantly for the Mets, Wolfe noted that Sasaki is driven and is targeting teams whose pitching programs will make him better. The Mets are developing quite the reputation for developing pitchers under the current administration
December 30
LHP David Peterson worked with college tennis player Jett Middleton to take a creative round of PFP’s (New York Post)
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)
Hot Stove Roundup ♨️
January 4
The Blue Jays, Cubs, Giants and Tigers are still in the mix for RHP Jack Flaherty (MLB.com)
The Orioles agreed to sign RHP Charlie Morton to a one-year, $15 million contract (MLB.com)
The Dodgers won the bidding on Korean INF Hyeseong Kim - LA awarded him with a three-year contract with a two-year option that can make the total deal worth $22 million (New York Post)
The Nationals are seeking $203.9 million in back pay from the Orioles and the MASN Network, which is co-owned by each club (Baltimore Sun)
January 3
The Angels are now weighing a possible pursuit of Pete Alonso (New York Post)
The Blue Jays and Tigers are the two teams that have the best chance at signing Anthony Santander (SI.com)
RHP Jeff Hoffman is drawing interest as a starting pitcher, and is seeking a deal similar to that the Mets gave RHP Clay Holmes (Athletic)
The Brewers acquired RHP Grant Anderson from the Rangers in exchange for minor league LHP Mason Molina
The White Sox have reportedly signed utilityman Josh Rojas to a one-year deal (MLB.com)
January 2
The Angels have shown some interest in Pete Alonso in free agency, though a player like Anthony Santander appears more realistic (New York Post)
The Tigers are reportedly “all-in” on free agent 3B Alex Bregman (Detroit Free Press)
RHP Max Scherzer is fielding offers from four different teams and is seeing his market heat up (New York Post)
The Orioles and free agent RHP Jack Flaherty are showing mutual interest in a reunion after the right-hander’s bounce back season in Detroit and Los Angeles (The Athletic)
The White Sox officially acquired LHP Tyler Gilbert from the Phillies in exchange for RHP Aaron Combs
December 31
The Cubs are showing serious interest in utility player Josh Rojas, who is a free agent after being non-tendered by Seattle (MLB.com)
LHP Wade Miley, coming off Tommy John Surgery, plans to pitch in 2025 and would like to re-sign with the Brewers (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
The Nationals signed RHP Trevor Williams to a two-year $14 million deal on Monday (The Athletic)
RHP Miguel Castro, who spent some time with the Mets, signed a minor league deal with the Astros (New York Post)
The Yankees officially announced the signing of veteran 1B Paul Goldschmidt to a one-year, $12.5 million deal
December 30
The Blue Jays showed ‘strong interest’ in Gleyber Torres prior to the infielder signing with Detroit earlier this week (Detroit Free Press)
The Angels and Tigers are expressing interest in OF Anthony Santander (Detroit Free Press)
The Dodgers are expected to discuss a contract extension with manager Dave Roberts this winter (LA Times)
The Orioles and Blue Jays both discussed franchise record contracts with RHP Corbin Burnes before the veteran signed with Arizona (Nightengale)
The Marlins acquired first baseman Matt Mervis from the Cubs in exchange for versatile Vidal Brujan (ESPN)
The Nationals inked 1B/DH Josh Bell to a one-year, $6 million contract (New York Post)
Washington signed righty Patrick Weigel to a minor league contract (Talk Nats)
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)
Stories ✍️
The negative focus on Pete Alonso needs to end (Baron)
What is the definition of a successful season for the Mets in 2025? (Surovich)
Don’t count on the Mets falling for Scott Boras’ tactics (MacLeod)
Waving a fond goodbye to 2024 (Steele)
There needs to be a Pete Alonso resolution (Mears)
What the Mets’ failed pursuit of Teoscar Hernández might mean (Baron)