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The Rays are engaged in advanced trade talks in advance of Tuesday’s deadline to protect players from the Rule 5 Draft. The Mets, Cubs, Reds, and Angels have been in touch with the Rays about their pitching availability, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported.
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In a week where the Astros fired both their general manager and his assistant, they ended it off by bringing back bench coach Joe Espada on a new contract for the 2023 season. Long considered a candidate for a managerial job, Espada has been Houston’s bench coach since the 2018 season. His contract expired after the World Series, but it’s not shocking he’s back in the Space City after manager Dusty Baker also re-upped for 2023.
The Mariners have reportedly been doing extensive scouting work on Japanese outfielder Masataka Yoshida. Seattle is expected to be one of Yoshida’s top suitors, though he still has to finalize the terms of his posting agreement with the Orix Buffaloes by December 5. The 29-year-old helped the Buffaloes win the Japan Series, hitting a scalding .336/.449/.557 with 21 homers, 28 doubles, and 89 RBIs while drawing 82 walks against just 42 strikeouts in 508 plate appearances.
The Astros are showing interest in power-hitting catcher Willson Contreras. Houston was close to acquiring Contreras from the Cubs at the trade deadline this year.
The Royals and Zack Greinke have mutual interest in a return to Kansas City for 2023. The 39-year-old was solid for the Royals in 2022, registering a 3.68 ERA/4.03 FIP (111 ERA+) while issuing just 27 walks in 137 innings.
Latest on MMO
Michael Garaffa assesses Drew Smith‘s performance from the 2022 season.
Andrew Steele-Davis profiles free-agent slugger J.D. Martinez.
Jack Markowski looks at which old friends the Mets should consider bringing back.
On This Date in Mets History
2012: R.A. Dickey is announced as the winner of the NL Cy Young Award, receiving 27 of the 30 first-place votes. The 38-year-old knuckleballer went 20-6 with a 2.73 ERA and an NL-leading 230 strikeouts in 233 2/3 innings.
2018: Jacob deGrom wins his first Cy Young award, collecting 29 of the 30 first-place votes. While he won just 10 games, deGrom turned in a minuscule 1.70 ERA with 269 strikeouts in 217 innings pitched.
Birthdays: Darrell Sutherland (81), Tim Hamulack (46), Xavier Nady (44), Joely Rodríguez (31), Akeel Morris (30), Francisco Lindor (29)
