Good morning, Mets fans!
Free agency officially began on Monday, meaning players can sign with any team as they please. Two more Mets hit the open market — Carlos Carrasco and Adam Ottavino — the latter whom declined his $6.75 million player option. Monday also marked the deadline for clubs to tender players qualifying offers.
Photo by Roberto Carlo
Latest Mets News
The Mets have hired Yankees bench coach Carlos Mendoza to be their new manager. Once finalized, Mendoza’s contract is expected to be worth $4.5 million over three years, with an option for a fourth year. Mendoza has been with the Yankees’ organization since 2009 and has spent the last four seasons as Aaron Boone‘s bench coach. Mendoza previously managed the Charleston RiverDogs in 2012.
Adam Ottavino told Joel Sherman of the New York Post that he approached the Mets about restructuring his contract, but the club wasn’t interested, leading him to opt out of the final year of his contract. Ottavino pitched to a 3.21 ERA with 62 strikeouts in 61 2/3 innings, racking up 12 saves as well.
Kodai Senga was named a finalist for the NL Rookie of the Year award, joining Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll and Dodgers outfielder James Outman. Senga was not among the three finalists for the Cy Young award.
Bryce Montes de Oca has cleared waivers and will remain with the Mets organization. The hulking right-hander missed all of 2023 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in the spring. The Mets also claimed infielder Zack Short off waivers from the Tigers.
Latest MLB News
In a stunning turn of events, Craig Counsell signed a five-year contract worth $40 million to manage the Cubs. The deal makes Counsell the highest paid manager in MLB history by average annual value. Will Sammon of The Athletic reports that the Mets made Counsell an offer of significantly less value, and Mike Puma of the New York Post reports that Counsell did not give the Mets a chance to match Chicago’s offer. Brewers owner Mark Attanasio said on a Zoom call that Counsell “has lost us and he’s lost our community.”
The Guardians have hired Stephen Vogt to be their next manager. Widely known as a popular clubhouse figure, Vogt was a two-time All-Star during his playing days and spent 2023 as the bullpen coach for the Mariners.
Only seven players received a qualifying offer by Monday’s deadline – Josh Hader, Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Nola, Matt Chapman, Sonny Gray, Cody Bellinger, and Blake Snell. Jorge Soler, Rhys Hoskins, Teoscar Hernandez, J.D. Martinez, and Mitch Garver were among the notable players who did not receive one.
The Braves have exercised their $20 million option on Charlie Morton, bringing him back for his 17th year in the majors. Morton pitched to a 3.64 ERA/3.87 FIP with 183 strikeouts in 163 1/3 innings in 2023, but he missed the final few weeks of the season due to an index finger injury.
Michael Conforto has opted into the final year of his contract with the Giants, and he will make $18 million in 2024. Conforto hit .239/.334/384 (99 OPS+) with 15 homers in 470 plate appearances in his first year in San Francisco.
Javier Báez did not opt out of the remaining four years and $98 millon left on his deal with the Tigers. Báez endured a rough 2023 season, batting just .222/.267/.325 (62 OPS+) with nine homers in 547 plate appearances.
Drew Smyly did not exercise his opt-out from his contract with the Cubs and will make $8.5 million in 2024. Smyly bounced between the rotation and the bullpen in 2023, posting a 5.00 ERA in 142 1/3 innings.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that the Angels spoke to Torii Hunter about their managerial position, but owner Arte Moreno prefers to hire a manager with big league experience. Buck Showalter and Ron Washington are among the finalists for the job.
MLB Trade Rumors released their top 50 free agents with predictions for the 2023-24 offseason.
The Marlins picked up their $3.625 million option on utility man Jon Berti for the 2024 season. Berti, who always seems to be a thorn in the Mets’ side, hit .294/.344/.405 with seven homers and 16 steals in 424 plate appearances in 2023.
The Pirates made a few roster moves, most notably reinstating Oneil Cruz and JT Brubaker from the 60-day injured list. Righty Yerry De Los Santos was outrighted to Triple-A Indianapolis, Miguel Andjuar was claimed off waivers by the A’s, and lefty Angel Perdomo was claimed by the Braves.
The Yankees announced that Matt Bowman, Franchy Cordero, Domingo Germán, Billy McKinney, and Ryan Weber all elected free agency in lieu of taking an outright assignment. Catcher Carlos Narvaez was added to the team’s 40-man roster.
In a swap of minor league catchers, the Mariners sent Tatem Levins to the Rays in exchange for Blake Hunt. The Mariners are placing Hunt on their 40-man roster.
Latest on MMO
Jorge Eckardt breaks down the Mets’ organizational depth chart for left field.
On This Date in Mets History
1995: The Mets sign right-hander Rick Reed to a minor league contract. The journeyman hurler has appeared in just 11 major league games over the last three seasons.
2012: After three rocky seasons, the Mets and Jason Bay agree to terminate his contract a year early. Bay finishes his Mets tenure with a .687 OPS and 26 homers in 986 plate appearances.
Birthdays: Orlando Mercado (62), Andy Tomberlin (57), Glendon Rusch (49), Kris Benson (49), Willie Collazo (49)
