Happy Friday Mets fans! Here’s the scoop on the latest hot stove developments around the league.

Realmuto Discussions Persist

Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported yesterday that the San Diego Padres have remained in contact with the Miami Marlins regarding a potential deal for star catcher J.T. Realmuto, and are apparently willing to clear a path to win the sweepstakes.

Between developing starter Austin Hedges and top prospect Francisco Mejía, general manager A.J. Preller could possibly ship the former off in exchange for pitching, according to Morosi. Hedges put up a career-best .711 OPS this past year – largely thanks to the .250/.298/.474 clip he turned in following a month-long stint in Triple-A – and his 32 defensive runs saved since 2017 leads among catchers with at least 1600 innings of work. That said, he’d certainly have to take a backseat to Realmuto, who is infinitely more useful as an everyday player, particularly with the bat.

In an earlier interview on the Hot Stove program on MLB Network, Morosi had insisted that the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tampa Bay Rays, and Houston Astros could all still be in play, with “a little bit of” the Cincinnati Reds involved as well (relay tweet courtesy of MLB.com‘s Joe Frisaro).

Machado, Harper Not Keen on Philadelphia

Though money will speak the loudest in the scheme of things, it may be worth noting that both Manny Machado and Bryce Harper have a favorite city in mind, and it is definitely not where the “stupid” money is. In a recent piece for the New York Post, Joel Sherman writes that neither player “particularly likes” the idea of playing in Philadelphia long-term, and that both have “preferred” the Yankees.

Whether or not the interest (and lack thereof, in Philly’s case) stems from the city or the ballclub within the city itself, this is not the first time a hot commodity on the free agent market has spurned the City of Brotherly Love. Just last offseason, Japanese two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani effectively rejected the Phillies’ advances before they could be made in a Q&A with Jon Morosi.

Given the fact that neither hitter has officially ruled out the organization, this news should be taken with a grain of salt. Though it certainly lends well to Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York as prospective landing spots.

Morosi also notes that the Phillies are pursuing left-handed starter Dallas Keuchel.

Teams in Touch with Ottavino

Morosi has also reported that setup man Adam Ottavino has garnered “continued interest” from the Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox, and Colorado Rockies, the last with whom he has spent the last seven years. The 33-year old posted personal bests this past year with a 2.74 FIP, 12.98 K/9, 2.6 bWAR, 2.0 fWAR, and 34 holds, while tying a career-high in appearances with 75.

At one point a target in the Mets’ search for a setup man behind Edwin Díaz, Ottavino is projected by MLB Trade Rumors to earn a three-year, $30MM contract – a figure none too different from those of Joe Kelly (three years, $27MM with the Los Angeles Dodgers), Andrew Miller (two years, $25MM with the St. Louis Cardinals), and Jeurys Familia (three years, $30MM with the Mets). His 9.5 runs above average was the third-highest mark in the majors among sliders this past year, though a 4.81 ERA through the season’s final two months could be a red flag – especially for a pitcher who has struggled to stay healthy as Ottavino has.

Up to Eight Teams in on Harrison

While no traction has come about in the market for utility infielder Josh Harrison, the line remains long and diverse, according to Fancred Sports‘ Jon Heyman. The Reds, San Francisco Giants, Milwaukee Brewers, Texas Rangers, and Washington Nationals are all interested, and even such teams as the Yankees, Phillies, and Dodgers could inquire as well, depending on their fortunes with the bigger bats in Machado and Harper.

Harrison, 31, is coming off his worst offensive season as a regular, as his .656 OPS, three steals, 0.6 oWAR can attest. That said, the Cincinnati product has 20 career defensive runs saved at second base, as well as another 20 at third, and could be primed for a bounce-back campaign given the 70-plus games he sat out nursing a hand injury that persisted through the year. His .891 OPS with men in scoring position and .299/.337/.422 career line against American League pitching could translate well with a change of scenery, though it’s no guarantee he gets such a chance as an everyday option.

Blue Jays Add Pitching Depth

The Toronto Blue Jays have signed right-handed starter Matt Shoemaker to a one-year major league deal according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports.

Shoemaker, 32, was non-tendered by the Angels after struggling to a 4.94 ERA in just 31 innings this past season. He was also limited to only 77.2 innings in 2017. He had his best season in 2014 when he finished second in AL Rookie of the Year voting thanks to a 3.04 ERA, 3.26 FIP and 1.07 WHIP in 136 innings for the Angels.

The move gives the Blue Jays much-needed rotation depth behind Marcus Stroman and Aaron Sanchez.