Just Mets Digest: February 3 - 9
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? 🍎
February 8
The Mets will have a patch on their jerseys in 2025 honoring the late Ed Kranepool, who passed away this winter (Jay Horwitz on Amazin’ Day)
Fans can attend open workouts at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie beginning Wednesday morning, February 12, at 9:30 a.m. Entrance to the back fields is free of charge, although fans will be charged $15 to park at the stadium
February 7
Owner Steve Cohen played an integral role in the return of Pete Alonso to the Mets (NY Post)
After a bit of a down year, Alonso could recapture his elite power tool this season (MLB)
Both the Mets and Alonso need a bounce-back season from the first baseman (Athletic)
Darryl Strawberry is excited for the Polar Bear’s return and his potential to break the franchise’s home run record (MLB)
Brandon Sproat, Jett Williams, and Luisangel Acuña will most likely be the Padres’ top targets in a deal for Dylan Cease (NY Post)
The Mets still haven’t ruled out a reunion with José Iglesias (NY Post)
February 6
The Mets recently made an offer of a one-year contract to Jose Iglesias, but the free agent INF is seeing a multi-year deal (SI)
The 2025 farm system rankings have been published, with the Mets ranking No. 9, (ESPN), No. 15 (The Athletic) and No. 12 (Baseball America)
February 5
Mets re-signed 1B Pete Alonso to a two-year, $54 million contract (story)
The Mets have updated their main road uniforms for 2025 and appear to be retiring the home blue jersey (UniWatch)
The Dodgers get all the headlines, but the Mets have added more projected WAR this offseason than any other team (MLB.com)
Should the Mets part with No. 2 prospect Jett Williams in a deal for Padres RHP Dylan Cease? (SNY)
February 4
Players have begun to arrive and work out in Port St. Lucie - Clay Holmes threw live batting practice on Monday, Ronny Mauricio was performing baseball activities, and Christian Scott was working on strength and conditioning as part of his recovery from UCL surgery (SNY)
Anthony Rizzo - who has not been linked to the Mets in free agency - could be a strong backup plan to Pete Alonso (SI)
February 3
An examination of what a potential Mets trade for San Diego’s Dylan Cease could look like (SI)
Down On The Farm 🌾
The Mets minor league affiliates announced their coaching staffs for the 2025 season on Wednesday:
Hot Stove/MLB News Roundup ♨️
February 9
RHP Robert Suárez appears to be the pitcher most likely to be moved by the Padres (SD Union Tribune)
Dodgers manager hopes he can work out a contract extension that realizes his value (ESPN)
The Blue Jays are hiring Kevin Kiermaier as an assistant to the GM (MLB.com)
The Rockies wold like to extend OF Brenton Doyle (Denver Post)
February 8
The Padres are signing veteran OF Jason Heyward to a major league contract as well as OF Connor Joe (Athletic | Star Tribune)
RHP Jeurys Familia is attempting a comeback in MLB (BeisbolFr)
INF Trey Mancini and the Diamondbacks agreed to a minor league deal (ESPN)
February 7
Alex Bregman is still seeking a long-term deal despite it being late in the offseason (USA Today)
The Twins are looking for a backup shortstop to Carlos Correa (Athletic)
Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, was sentenced to almost five years in prison for stealing $17 million from Ohtani (ESPN)
The Angels signed third baseman Yoan Moncada to a one-year deal worth $5 million
Tommy Pham signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates for one year and $4 million
MLB owners voted to approve John Seidler as control person of the Padres after the death of his brother Peter Seidler
According to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, fans are concerned about the lack of a salary cap in Major League Baseball (ESPN)
February 6
Cardinals 3B Nolan Arenado would welcome the idea of being traded to the Red Sox (ESPN)
Despite spring training being a week or so away, the Marlins are still open to adding a veteran starter or two (Miami Herald)
Former Met Harrison Bader agreed to a one-year deal, containing a mutual option for 2026, with the Twins (NY Post)
The Angels announced that they have extended their lease on Angel Stadium, which was set to expire in 2029. The new lease runs through 2032
St. Petersburg mayor Ken Welch indicated that the city is prepared to move on without the Rays (FOX Sports)
The Rangers announced that they will be inducting former shortstop Elvis Andrusinto the franchise’s Hall of Fame
Pitch quality is the one baseball statistic that is arguably changing baseball the most (The Athletic)
February 5
The Cardinals and Red Sox have recently had communications about a trade including 3B Nolan Arenado (MLB Network)
The Yankees reportedly re-signed LHP Tim Hill to a one-year, $2.85 million contract with a club option for 2026 (Passan)
The Dbacks officially re-signed OF Randal Grichuk to a one-year, $5 million contract with a mutual option for the 2026 season
The Orioles officially signed OF Ramon Laureano to a one-year, $4 million contract
February 4
The Tigers are still in pursuit of Alex Bregman (ESPN)
MLB fired umpire Pat Hobert for sharing a gambling account with a professional poker player who used that account to bet on baseball
The Yankees signed RHP Carlos Carrasco to a minor league contract (YES Network)
February 3
San Diego would also still like to add at least a bat and an arm before opening day (MLB)
Former MLB Commissioner Fay Vincent passed away (MLB)
RHP Jack Flaherty agreed to terms on a free-agent pact with Detroit (ESPN)
Veteran infielder Nicky Lopez signed a minor league deal with the Cubs (NY Post)
Hall of Famer Barry Larkin joined the Orlando Dreamers, a group that is attempting to bring an MLB franchise to Orlando, as the organization’s MLB ambassador (Orlando Sentinel)
Stories ✍️
An A-Grade winter for the Mets still has one more move to be made (Baron)
Steve Cohen once again played an integral role in recruiting a star player (Surovich)
It’s now officially time to move forward (Steele)
My top 3 favorite - and weird - spring training storylines from the past (MacLeod)
Let’s get this Pete Alonso thing done already! (Baron)
Were the Mets serious about moving Mark Vientos to first base? (Mears)