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The Braves acquired catcher Sean Murphy in a three-team blockbuster trade with the Brewers and the A’s. Atlanta sent All-Star backstop William Contreras and right-handed pitching prospect Justin Yeager to Milwaukee and sent catcher Manny Piña, right-handers Freddy Tarnock and Royber Salinas, and the organization’s top-ranked prospect, southpaw Kyle Muller to Oakland. The A’s meanwhile acquired utility man Esteury Ruiz from the Brewers and sent righty reliever Joel Payamps to Milwaukee.
A Gold Glover in 2021, Murphy put together another solid season in Oakland in 2022, hitting .250/.332/.426 (120 OPS+) with 18 homers, 37 doubles, and 5.1 fWAR. Murphy also cut his strikeout rate down to 20.3% and finished 22nd in MVP voting.
Latest Mets News
The Mets are set to hold press conferences for their newly signed players throughout this week. David Robertson, José Quintana, and Brooks Raley will be introduced via Zoom on Wednesday at 11:30 am, while Brandon Nimmo‘s conference will be at Citi Field on Thursday at 10 am.
Chris Bassitt has agreed to a three-year contract worth $63 million with the Blue Jays. The deal is pending a physical. Bassitt pitched in a career-high 181 2/3 innings for the Mets in 2022, turning in a 3.42 ERA/3.66 FIP and 1.145 WHIP, though he struggled in his lone postseason start.
Latest MLB News
The Twins have agreed to a three-year contract with catcher Christian Vázquez. The 32-year-old split time between the Red Sox and the Astros, hitting .274/.315/.399 (99 OPS+) with nine homers and 1.6 fWAR in 426 plate appearances. He also went 4-for-17 in Houston’s run to the World Series title.
Many fans around the sport have had their thoughts on teams spending like Steve Cohen’s Mets. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic writes that the league needs more owners who are willing to spend to better the team.
The Astros have engaged in trade talks with the Diamondbacks surrounding outfielder Daulton Varsho. The versatile Varsho had somewhat of a breakout year, hitting .235/.302/.443 (109 OPS+) with 27 homers, 23 doubles, 16 steals, 74 RBIs, and 4.9 rWAR. Varsho registered 19 DRS in the outfield and started 18 games behind the plate.
Latest on MMO
Nate Mendelson looks back at how former NPB pitchers have faired in MLB. He also examines some free agents who could serve as the Mets’ fourth outfielder.
Tyler Antonelle profiles free agent southpaw Matt Moore as a potential bullpen target.
On This Date in Mets History
1998: The Mets sign free agent outfielder Rickey Henderson. The 39-year-old has experienced a dip in production over the past few seasons but still stole an MLB-leading 66 bases and drew an AL-best 118 walks against 114 strikeouts in 670 plate appearances in the 1998 season.
2001: The Mets bring back speedy outfielder Roger Cedeño on a four-year contract worth $18 million. Originally traded to Houston as part of the Mike Hampton deal, Cedeño spent 2000 with the Tigers, where he stole 55 bases and hit 11 triples. The team also signs righty David Weathers to a three-year deal with $9.4 million. Weathers is coming off the best year of his career, appearing in 80 games and recording a 2.41 ERA and a 1.151 WHIP in 86 innings between the Cubs and Brewers.
2020: The Mets hire Jared Porter to replace Brodie Van Wagenen as the team’s general manager. Porter was most recently the assistant GM for the Diamondbacks.
Birthdays: Joe Christopher (87), J.C. Martin (86), Ron Taylor (85), Doug Saunders (53)
