What’s up with the Mets? 🍎

• The Mets are expected to work out a deal with SS/3B Carlos Correa, which could come together by the end of the week (Rosenthal)

• New York is expected to continue to be active in the trade market once the Correa deal is renegotiated (Rosenthal)

• Former Mets 1B/OF Dominic Smith reportedly signed a one-year, $2.4 million contract with the Nationals (USA Today)

• The Marlins checked in on the availability of 3B Eduardo Escobar earlier this offseason (Miami Herald)

• The Mets signed LHP TJ McFarland, C Oscar Campos, and OF Lorenzo Cedrola to minor league contracts (tracker)

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Correa Watch: Day 15 🚨

On December 21st, the Mets and Carlos Correa reportedly agreed to a 12-year, $315 million contract. However, after undergoing a physical later that week, the Mets raised similar concerns to that of the Giants over Correa’s leg. San Francisco had originally agreed with Correa on a 13-year, $350 million contract the week prior.

In 2014, Correa broke his fibula and sustained ligament damage close to his ankle, requiring surgery to remedy. Correa has never missed any time due to the injury in the major leagues. Correa has missed only 42 of a possible 384 games since the start of the 2020 season, much of which came in 2022 after being placed on the COVID-19 injured list midyear.

Both Mets owner and CEO Steve Cohen and Correa’s agent, Scott Boras, are on record discussing the contract, with both instances taking place before Correa took a physical with the Mets.

Should the deal be completed, Correa will join the Mets as their new regular third baseman…

January 3 - The Athletic

• The Mets are expected to get a deal done with Correa, potentially by the end of the week, and it will likely be a dramatically different looking contract

• New York has the leverage, but they still want Correa to be happy with the deal both sides eventually agree to

January 2 - New York Post

• Talks are expected to resume again between the Mets and Correa’s agent, Scott Boras, following a lull over the holidays

• There is still a good chance both sides come to an agreement

January 1 - Associated Press, SF Chronicle

• The Giants are among the teams that have checked back in with Scott Boras on Correa, but they will not pivot back to a new deal even if the Mets fail to complete their deal with him

December 29 - Daily News, New York Post

• Mets owner and CEO Steve Cohen is upset with the leak about the team being concerned with Correa’s physical, and has made sure there’s only a small circle in the know about what’s currently happening

• Other teams are being told that for now, it’s, “only a Mets game” with Correa. “I’d be surprised if he’s not [a Met],” one person said.

• Both the Mets and Giants likely see post-traumatic arthritis in Correa’s ankle

December 28 - New York Post, SI, MLB Network

• There are no other teams currently involved in Correa’s free agency (MLB Hot Stove said on-air by Jon Morosi)

• The deal is seen at 51-49 at getting done

• The issue with Correa’s leg won’t necessarily impact him over the next 3-5 years, rather towards the second half of the contract

• The injury/surgery on Correa’s leg is at risk of becoming arthritic with time

• That Correa hasn’t had any problems at all with his surgically repaired leg/ligament - aside from minor impact last season - suggests his leg is holding up well

December 27 - SNY

• The Mets and representatives for Correa were working again on Tuesday to come to a revised agreement, but no details on progress have been offered to the public at this time

December 26 - New York Post

• Correa is committed to finalizing this deal with the Mets, although he isn’t open to restructuring the length and financial terms of the contract

• It is unclear whether or not discussions have resumed following a break on Christmas

• There is a, “55 percent” chance a deal will be completed between Correa and the Mets

• The Mets were well aware of the findings from the Giants’ doctors after he took his physical with the Giants

• Correa’s agent, Scott Boras, and the Mets could try to work language into the contract which would protect the club financially if Correa were to miss an extended period of time due to an injury specific to his fibula

December 25 - New York Post

• The two sides are trying to work through the issues found on Correa’s medicals

• The Mets and Correa’s camp remain optimistic a deal can be completed

• The two sides were discussing the MRI results compared to the functionality of the joint along with Correa’s recent history of dependability

• Other teams have checked in on Correa since his deal with the Mets hit a snag, but both sides are, “motivated” to work through the issues

December 24 - Mets share similar concerns as the Giants did over Carlos Correa's physical

December 21 - Mets and Carlos Correa agree to 12-year, $315 contract

Stories to read 🔗

• An assessment on the state of affairs between the Mets and Correa

• Mets and Correa/Boras have every reason to make this deal go through

• Mets share similar concerns to Giants over Correa

• The Carlos Correa domino effect

• Mets, Carlos Correa agree to 12-year, $315 million contract

Hot Stove 🔥

• The Yankees officially hired Brian Sabean as Executive Advisor to Brian Cashman

• The Red Sox and 3B Rafael Devers agreed to a one-year, $17.5 million contract to avoid arbitration

• The Cubs are close to a free agent deal with 1B Eric Hosmer (Heyman)

• The Twins are showing interest in RHP Michael Wacha (The Athletic)

• The Orioles officially acquired 1B/OF Ryan O’Hearn from the Royals in exchange for cash considerations