Morning Briefing: Mets Sign Carlos Correa

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Good morning, Mets fans!

The Mets shocked the baseball world early on Wednesday morning by giving star infielder Carlos Correa a 12-year, $315 million deal.

The New York Mets are bringing back reliever Adam Ottavino on a two-year deal worth $14.5 million, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Ottavino served as the set-up man for closer Edwin Diaz for most of the year and pitched excellently in his first year as a Met. The 37-year-old, through 65.2 innings last season, had a 6-2 record, struck out 79 batters and held a 2.06 ERA. Ottavino’s contract includes an opt-out after the first year of his deal.

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The Mets introduced pitcher Justin Verlander in a press conference yesterday morning alongside his agent and Mets general manager Billy Eppler a day after introducing Kodai Senga. Verlander expressed his excitement to join the team while also describing his first time really being available as a free agent in his career. The nine-time All-Star also spoke about his conversations with Mets owner Steve Cohen and how that brought him to his decision to join the orange and blue.

Ken Rosenthal also reported that the Mets have hired Dom Chiti as their bullpen coach. Chiti, who spent the last two seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, has the bullpen coach with Mets manager Buck Showalter during his years managing the Texas Rangers back in 2006 and with the Baltimore Orioles from 2014 to 2016.

MMO’s Michael Mayer is reporting the Syracuse Mets, the team’s Triple-A affiliate has made some coaching changes. Kyle Driscoll, who was previously the Mets complex pitching coordinator, is the team’s new pitching coach. Collin Hetzler, who was previously the Mets’ complex hitting coordinator, is now the team’s hitting coach.

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In KBO League news, former Washington Nationals pitcher Eric Fedde has signed with the NC Dinos, according to Jeeho Yoo of Yonhap News. Fedde’s contract includes a $800,000 salary, $200,000 signing bonus for $1 million, the maximum for first-year foreign players in the South Korean baseball league. The Nationals pitcher spent his entire MLB career in the nation’s capital, but never seemed to settle in, with a career ERA f 5.41.

MLB Network’s Mark Feinsand is reporting the Kansas City Royals have signed Jordan Lyles to a two-year deal worth $17 million. Lyles spent last year with the Orioles and had a 12-11 record with an ERA at 4.42.

Former Miami Marlins and Angels pitcher Drew Rucinski is in agreement with the Oakland A’s, according to Rosenthal. Rucinski spent the last four seasons pitching in Korea, starting in over 100 games and owning an ERA of 3.04. Rucinski last pitched with the Marlins back in 2018.