Good morning, Mets fans!

Mets owner Steve Cohen has spent an unprecedented amount of money this offseason to revamp his ballclub and some owners of other major league teams aren’t happy that he’s flexing his checkbook. Evan Drellich of The Athletic reports that some owners and management of other teams are upset that Cohen has spent the money he has and states that consequences are coming down the road for him along with embarrassing MLB commissioner Rob Manfred with his spending.

Beginning in March 2022, the new CBA includes the “Steve Cohen Tax” where any team payroll reaching $290 million and above will be taxed at 80 percent and more as it goes up. Cohen, with the signing of Carlos Correa, has now blown past that number and will be taxed at 90 percent for the upcoming season. As it stands, the Mets have a payroll of $384.7 million for next season, with a luxury tax penalty of $111 million along with $806.1 million invested total this offseason. Seems as if some major league owners are afraid of money, right?

Now onto the morning briefing!

Latest Mets News

Former Met Jacob deGrom took out a full page ad in the New York Post thanking the fans, his teammates, coworkers and teammates for his time as a New York Met.

Newest Met pitcher Kodai Senga’s contract details a few things, which include a $14 million salary for 2023 to 2027 and a $5 million signing bonus.  A $15 million conditional club option for 2028 if Tommy John surgery or a right elbow injury cause him to be placed on the IL for more than 130 consecutive days as well as an opt out after 2025 season if he hits 400 innings pitched in 2023 to 2025 combined. His salary would increase by $2 million for each Cy Young Award won and by $1 million for finishing 2nd to 5th. He would also receive $100K each for WS MVP & Reliever of the Year, $50K for Cy Young ($25K for second place, $10K for third place) and $50K each for All Star, Gold Glove, LCS MVP he gets during the duration of his contract.

The Mets announce the passing of Jett “Macho” Diaz, who was a student at the Newburgh Free Academy and was diagnosed with brain cancer. Jett had the chance to be a Met for a day last summer with the Make-A-Wish Foundation where he got to spend time with Mets players and coaches at Citi Field and threw out the first pitch.
Anthony DiComo of MLB.com tweets that newly signed Met Carlos Correa is eager to play third base, according to his agent, Scott Boras. Correa believes switching to third base will allow him to bulk up without sacrificing his defensive ability on the diamond. Additionally, Jeff Passan of ESPN reports that Alex Cohen pushed for the Mets to sign Correa along with her father, who is a lifelong fan of the team himself. Correa didn’t expect any issues, as he was house shopping in San Francisco this week, according to Ron Kroichick of the San Francisco Chronicle, but an old ankle injury from 2014 caused the whole deal to fall through.

Latest MLB News

The Cincinnati Reds announced that they have signed IF/OF Wil Myers to a one-year contract for 2023, with a mutual option for 2024. Cincinnati also signed catcher Curt Casali to a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2024. Infielder Mike Moustakas was designated for assignment to make room for the move.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post tweets the details of the signing of Tucker Barnhart with the Chicago Cubs. The deal is a two-year deal with the second year of the deal being a player option, and being guaranteed $6.5 million.

The San Diego Padres announced that they have signed former Mets pitcher Seth Lugo to a one year contract, with a player option for 2024.

Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post reports that the Washington Nationals have claimed infielder Jeter Downs off waivers from the Red Sox. Downs was the key prospect acquired from Los Angeles in the Mookie Betts trade a few years back.

The Boston Red Sox have released first baseman Eric Hosmer. Hosmer was acquired by the Red Sox from San Diego after the Padres made a huge mega deal with the Nationals for Juan Soto and Josh Bell.

Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com predicts the possible Top 10 lineups for the 2023 season. The Mets are listed at number one.

The Kansas City Royals have signed pitcher Mike Mayers to a minor league deal. Mayers signs with Kansas City after two seasons with the Angels.

Juan Toribio of MLB.com states that Major League Baseball has reduced the suspension of pitcher Trevor Bauer from 324 games to 194. Since he already served that amount, he has been reinstated to the league for active play. Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports that the Dodgers have until January 6th to make a decision on Bauer to either keep him on their active roster or cut him.

Latest on MMO

A MMO Exclusive: Mat Brownstein talks to Hall of Fame Catcher and Mets legend, Mike Piazza.

On the latest episode of MMO Weekly, Sal and Mike talk Carlos Correa, Liam Hendrik’s rumors, the free spending of Steve Cohen and more!

On This Date in Mets History

1999: Then-Mets GM Steve Phillips struck a deal with the Astros to acquire the rights to 22-game winner Mike Hampton. The trade included Roger Cedeño, Octavio Dotel, and minor leaguer Kyle Kessel to Houston for Hampton. The deal came a week after Ken Griffey Jr. vetoed a swap that would have made him a Met in exchange for Cedeño, Dotel, and Armando Benitez. Hampton pitched admirably for New York in 2000, which included a complete game performance against the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLCS to help win the pennant. Hampton would leave New York in the off-season to head to Colorado, which led the Mets to receive a compensatory pick. That pick was used to draft franchise icon David Wright.

Birthdays: Jordany Valdespin (35), Josh Satin (38), Rick White (54), Tim Leary (64), Jerry Koosman (80), Tim Harkness (85)