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The Mets signed reigning Cy Young award winner Justin Verlander to a two-year contract with $86 million, with a vesting option for a third year. With Jacob deGrom gone, Verlander is expected to anchor the Mets’ rotation alongside fellow three-time Cy Young award winner Max Scherzer, just like they did for the Tigers last decade.

“My goal is to win. And I couldn’t be happier to be a Met,” Verlander said on the Flippin’ Bats Podcast.

Coming off a year of rehabbing from Tommy John Surgery, the 39-year-old looked like his old self in 2022. He went 18-4 with a sparkling 1.75 ERA/2.49 FIP (220 ERA+) and a 0.829 WHIP with 185 strikeouts against 29 walks in 175 innings.

Latest Mets News

Mets catcher James McCann is drawing some trade interest at the Winter Meetings. Robert Murray of FanSided reports that the Cardinals could go after McCann if they miss out on Sean Murphy.

The Mets are reportedly pursuing outfielder Andrew Benintendi as an option to patrol center field if Brandon Nimmo departs. Benintendi made his first All-Star Game in 2022, hitting .304/.373/.399 (120 OPS+) in 521 plate appearances while splitting time between the Royals and Yankees. However, he hit just five homers and missed the end of the season with a wrist injury.

Edwin Díaz was named to the All-MLB First Team alongside Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase. Max Scherzer and Francisco Lindor were both voted to the All-MLB Second Team.

Latest MLB News

The Phillies signed shortstop Trea Turner to an 11-year contract worth $300 million. The deal also includes a full no-trade clause. Turner turned in another strong season in 2022, making his second All-Star game while hitting .298/343/.466 (121 OPS+) with 21 homers, 39 doubles, 27 steals, 100 RBIs, and 4.9 rWAR in 708 plate appearances.

The Yankees have given general manager Brian Cashman a four-year contract extension, keeping him in the Bronx through 2026. Cashman has held that position for the Bronx Bombers since 1998.

Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports that Yasiel Puig is attending the Winter Meetings with his agent, Lisette Carnet. Puig says he had a positive experience playing in Korea this year and is confident his legal issues have been resolved.

The Cubs have met with each of the remaining free-agent shortstops. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports there’s even a scenario where the Cubs could sign two of the three star shortstops available.

The Angels have agreed to a two-year contract with right-handed reliever Carlos Estéves. The longtime Rockies fireballer pitched to a 3.47 ERA/4.08 FIP with a 1.175 WHIP and 54 strikeouts in 57 innings in 2022.

The Blue Jays are showing interest in Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds. Toronto is looking to upgrade in center field and would like to add an athletic switch hitter.

The Angels, Red Sox, and Blue Jays are all showing interest in Japanese ace Kodai Senga. The 29-year-old is considered one of the best arms on the market and doesn’t have a posting fee attached to him.

Padres All-Star pitcher Joe Musgrove is in Antarctica, where he set a record by throwing a pitch 86 miles per hour, the fastest ever recorded on the continent. The record is still pending approval from the Guinness Book of World Records. In doing so, Musgrove also raised money for the Challenged Athletes Foundation.

Latest on MMO

Nate Mendelson profiles Kyle Crick as a possible replacement for Adam Ottavino.

Nate Mendelson looks at Bryan Reynolds as a potential trade target.

On This Date in Mets History

1989: The Mets swap closers with the Reds, trading Randy Myers to Cincinnati for John Franco, Kip Gross, and Don Brown. Franco would go on to spend 14 years in Flushing and serve as the team’s captain.

2006: The Mets trade Brian Bannister to the Royals for reliever Ambiorix Burgos. Bannister got off to a promising start in the 2006 season but missed the majority of the year due to injuries.

2011: The Mets have a busy day at the Winter Meetings, first signing reliever Jon Rauch and Frank Francisco to bolster their bullpen. They then trade outfielder Angel Pagán to the Giants for outfielder Andres Torres and another reliever, Ramón Ramírez.

2013: After a four-year run with the Yankees, the Mets sign three-time All-Star outfielder Curtis Granderson to a four-year, $60 million contract. While he missed most of the 2013 season, Granderson produced back-to-back 40-homer seasons for the Bronx Bombers in 2011 and 2012, finishing fourth in MVP voting in 2011.

Birthdays: Amado Samuel (84), Larry Bowa (77), Tim Foli (72), Luis Rosada (67), Terry McDaniel (56), Kevin Appier (55)