Morning Briefing: Family of Tyler Skaggs Files Lawsuit Against Angels

Good morning, Mets fans!

The family of former Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs is filing a civil lawsuit against the team, alleging that the team was partially responsible for his death. This comes months after the team’s former communications director Eric Kay was sentenced to 22 years in prison for supplying Skaggs with the opioids that killed him in July of 2019. According to the Wall Street Journal, multiple players knew of Kay’s activities and were aware that Skaggs was using the drugs throughout the season.

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MLB.com ranked the Mets as the second-strongest team in baseball in their first power rankings of 2023. The Mets were ranked only behind the defending champion Astros. The votes were based on the Mets’ strong offseason and the potential signing of Carlos Correa.

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The Kiwoom Heroes of the KBO have permitted outfielder Jung Hoo Lee to be posted. The 23-year-old has torn up the league ever since his career began in 2017 and had his best season in 2022, hitting .349/.421/.575 with 23 homers, 36 doubles, 10 triples, and 113 RBIs in 627 plate appearances. Lee also drew 66 walks against just 32 strikeouts.

Legendary Texas Longhorns head coach Cliff Gustafson passed away at the age of 91 from congestive heart failure yesterday morning. Gustafson spent 15 years as the head coach at South San Antonio High School before a 28-year run with the Longhorns that included two College World Series titles.

The NHL Winter Classic was held at Fenway Park yesterday, and Kiké Hernandez was on hand to support the Bruins. The Bruins also arrived at the game wearing old-time Red Sox uniforms.