Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Good morning, Mets fans!
Free agency is upon us and teams can now negotiate and sign players without restriction. The Mets have been active so far by locking up closer Edwin Diaz, along with picking up options of Carlos Carrasco, John Curtiss and Daniel Vogelbach. The team has also been linked to left-handed pitcher Andrew Heaney, according to Tim Healey of Newsday.
The 31-year-old lefty, who has ties with Mets GM Billy Eppler during their time with the Angels, netted a prove-it deal with the Dodgers for one season and posted a 3.10 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 14 starts. Spending part of the season with an injured shoulder, Heaney finished the season healthy and had a bounce-back season after having a rocky tenure with the Yankees. Heaney would provide depth for the Mets, along with supplementing a need for left-handed arms, something the Mets have been seeking out for some time.
Now onto the morning briefing.
Latest Mets News
Along with the options picked up for Carrasco, Curtiss and Vogelbach, the New York Mets declined to qualify starter Taijuan Walker and optioned outfielder Terrance Gore to Triple-A Syracuse. Gore declined the assignment and is now a free agent, according to Tim Healey of Newsday.
Latest MLB News
The Major League Baseball Players Association announces four players have become XX (B) free agents. Those players include pitchers Jordan Lyles, Justin Verlander, Mychal Givens and outfielder Tommy Pham. The title XX (B) free agent is for any player who has accrued six years of major league playing time and is not signed for the following season and on a major league roster the day after the conclusion of the World Series.
Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports that the Tampa Bay Rays have declined the 2023 option for outfielder Kevin Kiermaier, who is now a free agent. Topkin also reports that the Rays have dealt first baseman and designated hitter Ji-Man Choi to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Milwaukee Brewers have declined the option for pitcher Brad Boxberger, making him a free agent.
Robert Murray of FanSided reports that the Los Angeles Dodgers have declined the option for third baseman Justin Turner, who is now a free agent. On the other end, Los Angeles has reportedly re-signed pitcher Clayton Kershaw to a one-year deal, as reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
Jon Morosi of MLB Network announces that the San Diego Padres and reliever Robert Suarez are in agreement to a multi-year contract. The deal is reported to be around $46 million for five years.
Latest on MMO
Andrew Steele-Davis discusses the eight Mets players that are on the ballot for the All MLB Team.
On This Date in Mets History
1998: The Mets dealt pitcher Mel Rojas to Los Angeles for Bobby Bonilla with hopes that he would return to his hitting ways from his first stint with the club. After initially being dealt by New York, Bonilla had seen success with the Orioles and Marlins and New York was looking to capitalize on his latest string of successes. After being named the starting right fielder, Bonilla’s second stint was filled with injuries and a lack of production.
Out of the starting lineup by May and out for most of the season with a knee injury, Bonilla returned to the team in September and was limited to a pinch hitter role off the bench, as his spot was taken by outfielder Roger Cedeno. Bonilla’s second time with the Mets was filled with clashes with manager Bobby Valentine and another controversy at the end of the season. During the sixth game of the 1999 NLCS, in which the Mets were eliminated by the Braves in 11 innings, Bonilla reportedly sat in the clubhouse playing cards with teammate Rickey Henderson, much to the dismay of his manager and teammates.
Birthdays: P.J. Conlon (29), Mike Bacsik (45), Damion Easley (53), Roberto Hernandez (58), Dave Telgheder (56)
Let’s go Mets!
