Good Morning, Mets fans!
Will Sammon of The Athletic reports that the New York Mets and free-agent Japanese pitcher Kodai Senga met and the encounter went well, industry sources say.
Senga, a right-handed pitcher is coming off a solid season for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of the Nippon Professional Baseball league, where he posted a record of 11-6 with a 1.94 ERA. In 11 total seasons in Japan, he posted a 2.42 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. The Mets are one of many teams interested in Senga’s services and they feel he could be a strong addition to the rotation.
Now onto the morning briefing!
Latest Mets News
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that Major League Baseball is looking into possible collusion between Mets owner Steve Cohen and Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner. This stems from a November 3rd article written by SNY‘s Andy Martino, where he explains that the Mets will not bid on free-agent outfielder Aaron Judge, out of mutual respect for each other. On the other end, Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred stated to reporters that he does not believe the two clubs have colluded against Judge or the players association but did confirm an investigation was taking place.
Latest MLB News
Front Office Sports reports that the Atlanta Braves are set to become a public company. Liberty Media will spin off the team and its real estate developments into a separate stock to better highlight the team’s value long term.
Los Angeles Angels pitcher and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani has announced that he will play for Team Japan in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, set to take place in 2023.
Jon Morosi of MLB Network tweets that the Seattle Mariners have checked in with Milwaukee Brewers infielder Kolten Wong. On the final year of his contract, Wong, who hits left-handed, is coming off a career year in OPS+ with a mark of 118.
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports that Major League Baseball has announced their new venture called “MLB University,” which is a new career development program designed to prepare diverse, mid-level front office professionals for advancement to senior baseball operations or on-field roles.
Ricky Doyle of NESN writes that the Boston Red Sox have made contract offers to free-agent infielders Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers.
Today marks the day when teams must decide to tender contracts to players by 8 p.m. ET, as reported by Jon Morosi of MLB Network. Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger has been named as a possible non-tender candidate and if that happens, the Toronto Blue Jays have interest in signing him, as well as free-agent outfielder Brandon Nimmo. Toronto wants to add a left-handed bat and they feel Rogers Center is a great place for that said bat.
The Kansas City Royals announce that broadcaster Steve Physioc has decided to retire after 43 years as a broadcaster. The Royals also announced the hiring of Jake Eisenberg to their radio group. Eisenberg will be heard primarily on the Royals Radio Network but will also fill in for select games on Bally Sports Kansas City. Last season, Eisenberg filled in for Mets radio broadcasts for select road trips with Wayne Randazzo, as Howie Rose took a more limited role in the booth.
Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports on free-agent pitcher Justin Verlander‘s thoughts on the Houston Astros and where he might end up in 2023.
Major League Baseball announced that the 2024 All-Star Game will take place at Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers. This is the second time the game has taken place in Arlington, the first time came back in 1995.
Evan Drelich of The Athletic reports on Rob Manfred’s thoughts on Pete Rose and his Hall of Fame eligibility.
The Miami Marlins have hired former player Jeff Conine as Special Assistant to team owner Bruce Sherman. Conine, who was an original Marlin, played two stints with the team, won two World Series, as well as being part of the organization previously before being fired in 2017.
Jeff Passan of ESPN reports that Aaron Judge‘s 62nd home run ball will go to auction after the man who caught it turned down an offer for $3 million.
The Seattle Mariners have dealt outfielder Kyle Lewis to the Arizona Diamondbacks, in exchange for outfielder/catcher Cooper Hummel, as reported by Jeff Passan of ESPN.
Latest on MMO
Michael Mayer discusses how the Mets draft class of 2022 fared in their first seasons of pro ball.
On This Date in Mets History
1985: Dwight Gooden wins the NL Cy Young award. Gooden had a stellar season with 24 wins and pitching to an ERA of 1.23 with 285 strikeouts.
Birthdays: Matt Wise (47), Allen Watson (52), Gary Sheffield (54), Steve Henderson (70), Jay Hook, (86)
Let’s go Mets!
