Morning Briefing: Mets Draft Lottery Odds at 4.3%

Good morning, Mets fans!

Major League Baseball announced the 2024 draft lottery odds Wednesday night, and the Mets came in at 4.3%, the seventh-highest odds in all of MLB. This is the second rendition of the MLB draft lottery following the latest edition of the collective bargaining agreement, where the two sides agreed that the top six picks of the draft will be based on the lottery system. Outside of the top six picks, the seventh through 18th picks will be in reverse standings orders for the remaining teams.

However, if the Mets do not get a top six pick, their 2024 first-round draft selection will move back ten spots, a result of exceeding the surcharge tax threshold with their player payroll for 2023. The Yankees and Padres, who also did not make the playoffs, are in the same boat as the Mets as they also went over the threshold. If these teams do get rewarded a top six lottery pick, their second highest pick will be moved back ten places. 

The 2024 MLB Draft lottery will take place at the Winter Meetings in Nashville, Tennessee on December 5. 

Latest Mets News

Andy Martino of SNY reported the club received permission to interview Craig Counsell for the managerial opening yesterday. He noted that the Brewers would initially deny said permission and have clubs wait until October 31, when Counsell’s contract officially expires, but they have changed course. However, Martino also reported that both Counsell and the Mets are expected to explore all other available options. This is in line with the report from Will Sammon of The Athletic that the Guardians have requested permission to interview Counsell. 

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that Billy Eppler’s former “special assistant,” Steve Martone, has been let go by the club—Martone, who was with Eppler in Los Angeles. 

Jeremy Hefner, the Mets’ current pitching coach, has been receiving interest from other clubs, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post. However, Hefner told team officials that he would wait to see if he fits into the Mets’ plans before considering other jobs. Hefner is under contract with the Mets for the 2024 season. 

Gary Cohen was named a finalist for the Hall of Fame‘s 2024 Ford C. Crick Award for the second consecutive year. Cohen is one of ten finalists among names like Joe Buck and Duane Kuiper; the winner will be inducted into the broadcaster’s wing of the Hall of Fame. 

Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported that the Mets would have fired former general manager Billy Eppler if he didn’t resign. For a more in-depth look into Sherman’s report, click here.

Latest MLB News

Following the Houston Astros’ loss to the Texas Rangers in Game 7 of the ALCS on Monday night, there were many reports that Astros manager Dusty Baker planned to retire. However, on Wednesday, Baker made it official as he told Bob Nightengale of USA Today that he informed Astros owner Tim Crane that he is retiring as manager of the club. The Astros have set up a press conference for Baker to formally announce his decision at noon ET on Thursday at Minute Maid Park. 

The San Francisco Giants are the first team to hire their new manager this off-season, as they officially named and introduced Bob Melvin as their manager yesterday. Melvin will manage his third different team in four years, leaving San Diego just two seasons following his departure from Oakland after a decade stint with the club. In addition, Giants chairman Greg Johnson announced that Melvin’s agreement is through 2026, and the team would extend general manager Farhan Zaidi through 2026 as well. 

The Padres managerial search will now pick up with the departure of Bob Melvin, as Dennis Lin and Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic reported that Mike Shildt will interview for the job on Thursday. The former Cardinals manager is not the only interview San Diego has lined up, as Padres bench coach Ryan Flaherty has an interview scheduled for Friday. 

The Boston Red Sox announced they hired former Chicago Cubs executive Craig Breslow as their chief baseball operator. Breslow, who pitched for the Red Sox in parts of five seasons, is taking over for Chaim Bloom, who only led Boston to one playoff appearance in his four years at the helm. 

Sean Casey, who was brought in as the Yankees hitting coach midway through the 2023 season, announced on his podcast that he will not return for the 2024 season. When talking about it on “The Mayor’s Office” podcast, Casey mentioned how he probably could have if he wanted to but would not due to family reasons. 

Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News announced that the Rangers will start Nathan Eovaldi in game one of the World Series on Friday night. Eovaldi will be matching up against the Diamondbacks’ Zac Gallen. 

The Atlanta Braves announced that relief pitcher Pierce Johnson signed a two-year agreement, with a club option for 2026. After acquiring him from Colorado in late July, Johnson pitched to a 0.76 ERA in 24 regular season games and made three scoreless appearances in the NLDS. 

Latest on MMO

Following a series of moves this past week, Michael Mayer gave an update on the current state of the Mets 40-man roster.

Andrew Tripaldi documented how the Mets will have some competition in the Craig Counsell sweepstakes. 

Reports have been circulating that the Yankees and Padres have had talks about a Juan Soto trade; Andrew Tripaldi looked into it.

On This Date in Mets History

1998: The Mets sign Mike Piazza to a seven-year deal with a total value of $91 million, which then was the richest contract in the history of baseball. Piazza was an all-star for all but one of the seven following years and led the Mets to their first World Series appearance since winning it all in 1986. 

Birthdays: Dominic Leone (32), Jaime Cerda (45)