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Buck Showalter has spoken to the Angels about their managerial job, and he’s among the finalists for the position. Showalter was reportedly the runner-up to Joe Maddon for the job ahead of the 2020 season.
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Latest Mets News
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported Sunday that the A’s granted the Mets permission interview manager Mark Kotsay, but the Oakland skipper is no longer under consideration for the Mets’ vacancy. Rosenthal reports that Craig Counsell and Yankees bench coach Carlos Mendoza are among the candidates to manage the Mets next year, but both of them are in the running for the Cleveland job as well. Andy Martino of SNY reported that Counsell is close to making his decision on where he will manage in 2024.
Latest MLB News
The Marlins have hired Peter Bendix away from the Rays to be their president of baseball operations. Bendix has been with Tampa Bay since 2009, when he was an intern, and has been the team’s general manager since 2021.
Former Red Sox general manager Chaim Bloom was an early target for the Marlins before they hired Peter Bendix, but Bloom declined to make himself available. Peter Gammons reported that family was a concern for Bloom, but there’s a chance he could join the Cardinals in an advisory role.
Josh Bell opted into the final year of his contract with the Marlins, and he’s slated to make $16.5 million in 2024. Bell was strong after coming over to Miami from Cleveland at the trade deadline, batting .270/.338/.480 with 11 homers and 26 RBIs in 224 plate appearances.
In other Marlins news, the team declined its option on Johnny Cueto, and is still making a decision on Jon Berti‘s option. Cueto missed most of the 2023 season due to injury, pitching to a 6.02 ERA in 52 1/3 innings.
The Braves declined their options on left-hander Brad Hand and outfielder Eddie Rosario. Hand pitched to a rocky 7.50 ERA after the Braves acquired him from the Rockies this summer. Rosario, meanwhile, hit .255/.305/.450 (100 OPS+) with 21 homers in 516 plate appearances this year.
The Diamondbacks declined their option on veteran reliever Mark Melancon, giving him a $2 million buyout. The four-time All-Star pitched to a 4.66 ERA in 56 innings in 2022 and missed all of 2023 due to a shoulder injury.
After the Reds declined his option, Joey Votto took to social media to thank Reds fans for the years he spent in Cincinnati. Votto was drafted by the team in 2002, and he said he felt intimidated when he first came to the U.S., but he grew comfortable in Cincinnati.
Free agency begins Monday – meaning eligible free agents can sign with any team. Winter meetings will take place in Nashville from December 4-7, and the Hall of Fame class will be announced on January 23.
Latest on MMO
Allison Waxman grades Daniel Vogelbach‘s performance in 2023.
James Villani breaks down free agent reliever Yariel Rodriguez, who the Mets are considered a candidate to sign.
On This Date in Mets History
2020: Steve Cohen dismisses general manager Brodie Van Wagenen and his top four assistants, including Omar Minaya and Allard Baird. Van Wagenen’s moves included the blockbuster trade to acquire Edwin Díaz and Robinson Canó.
2022: The Mets sign Edwin Díaz to a five-year contract worth $102 million, making him the highest-paid reliever in MLB history. Díaz is coming off a masterful 2022 season, in which he posted a 1.31 ERA/0.90 FIP while striking out 118 of the 235 batters he faced.
Birthdays: Jim Gosger (81), John Candelaria (70), Bubba Trammell (52)
