Mandatory Credit: Mary Holt-USA TODAY Sports
Good morning, Mets fans!
Sunday saw another large wave of deals get done, as well as a major trade. The Mets were one of many teams who made moves, signing reliever Adam Ottavino.
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The Mets signed former Yankee relief pitcher Adam Ottavino to a one-year, $4M deal to strengthen the bullpen. Ottavino, 36, is an 11-year MLB veteran who spent the first chunk of his career in Colorado before heading to the Bronx and pitching for the Red Sox in 2021. Despite an inflated ERA the past couple of years (4.21 last year and 5.89 in the shortened 2020 season), Ottavino is a durable arm (60+ appearances in the previous four full seasons) who has only had one year in his career with a FIP above 4.00 (2017).
The Mets are holding an intrasquad game on Friday, March 18, free for fans to attend.
Steve Cohen spoke to the media about the new “Cohen Tax,” how the team is shaping up, and more. Watch it here.
The Mets come in at #5 in the first MLB.com pre-season power rankings, ahead of division rivals and reigning champion Braves. Click here for the full rankings.
Latest MLB News
The Yankees have got their shortstop. The bombers have acquired Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who was recently traded from the Rangers to the Twins, Josh Donaldson, and catcher Ben Rortvedt in exchange for Gary Sanchez and Gio Urshela. It’s a good trade for the Yankees, who get a strong defensive shortstop in IKF without giving up any prospects, but rather taking on Donaldson’s salary (2 years, 50M left) to provide the Twins some relief. The Yankees see Kiner-Falefa as a stopgap at shortstop until top prospect Anthony Volpe is ready.
The Twins swung a trade on Sunday, sending 2021 first-round draft pick Chase Petty to the Reds for two-time all-star Sonny Gray, as well as minor leaguer Francis Peguero. Minnesota has been looking to bolster its pitching staff, and Gray is a great get.
Right-handed reliever Brad Boxberger has signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the Milwaukee Brewers to remain on the team he spent the 2021 season. Boxberger was steady for the Brew Crew last year, posting a 3.34 ERA in 64.2 strong innings.
41-year old free-agent Nelson Cruz signed a one-year deal with the Washington Nationals.
The Boston Red Sox and reliever Matt Strahm agreed to a one-year contract. The 30-year old right-hander has spent several seasons with the Padres and has had a walk rate under 2 per nine innings for three consecutive years.
Vince Velasquez signed a deal with the Chicago White Sox. Velazquez, a starting pitcher who has spent most of his career with the Phillies, will join a pitching staff anchored by Lucas Giolito.
Infielder Hanser Alberto signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers with a ’23 player option. Alberto is a glove-first player who can play all around the infield.
The Nationals signed veteran starter Anibal Sanchez. The right-hander last pitched in 2020 with the Nationals when he posted a 6.62 ERA in 53 innings.
The Red Sox are finalizing a deal with Jake Diekman to help the bullpen. It’s said to be a multi-year deal, with the amount not yet known. Diekman is a left-hander who excels at striking batters out (12.31 K/9 last year) but has always had control issues (5.01 career BB/9).
Joc Pederson, fresh off of a World Series championship with the Atlanta Braves, is drawing interest from multiple teams. One report states that the Cleveland Guardians are among those interested.
According to sources, the San Diego Padres are “aggressively shopping” Wil Myers and Eric Hosmer.
The Yankees re-signed speedy outfielder Tim Locastro to a one-year deal contract.
The Cubs re-signed 14-year veteran reliever, Jesse Chavez.
In non-free agent news, superstar Mike Trout may not be roaming center field when the season gets underway. Despite full health, Angels skipper Joe Madden said that Trout could see more time in a corner OF spot, with the speedy Brandon Marsh filling the eight spot.
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Jacob deGrom‘s health has been a question mark all offseason. Billy Eppler, however, gave some positive words about our ace’s status. Read more about it here.
Buck Showalter and Billy Eppler held a press conference yesterday. Read all about it in Patrick Glynn’s piece.
Glynn also asks and answers the question, “Do the Mets have the best rotation in baseball?”
On This Date in Mets History
Birthdays:
- Josh Stinson (34)
Let’s go Mets!
