Good morning, Mets fans!
The Mets, through the team’s socials, issued an emotional farewell post to Pete Alonso. SNY shared Alonso’s own written goodbye to fans, where he thanked New York and reflected on how the city shaped him as a player and a person.
“New York, thank you,” Alonso wrote. “These last few years have shaped me in ways I’ll carry for the rest of my life. This city demands your best and I’m proud to look back knowing I gave everything I had into earning the privilege of wearing that jersey.
“I’ve been blessed with incredible teammates, coaches, trainers, staff, and countless people who helped shape me into the player and man I am today. I’m forever grateful for every person who challenged me, supported me and believed in me along the way.
“Thank you for the passion. Thank you for the love. Even the tough love that comes with playing for New York. When it came time for first pitch, thank you for being electric through it all. Thank you for getting rowdy every time I stepped up to the plate and made the building shake when the ball found a seat over the wall. Your energy fueled me more than you’ll ever know. You believed in me, and you made me better.
“With love,
“Polar Bear.”
Alonso and recently-departed closer Edwin Díaz will both speak to the media today at 4 p.m EST.
Now, onto the morning briefing!
Pete Alonso (20) Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Latest Mets News
Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet reports that the Blue Jays and Mets both checked in regularly on free-agent reliever Robert Suarez, but neither made a formal offer, as Atlanta moved quickly to sign him for three years and $45 million.
Meanwhile, the New York Post adds that the Mets only discussed general concepts with Suarez and weren’t eager to exceed the structure of the deal they gave Devin Williams. With deferrals, Williams’ $51M contract effectively values around $44M, close to Suarez’s final number.
In Winter Ball action, Luisangel Acuña had two more hits and Adbert Alzolay pitched a scoreless inning.
Latest MLB News
According to the New York Post’s Jon Heyman, veteran reliever Mark Leiter Jr. has agreed to terms with the Athletics, pending a physical.
The Blue Jays made it official, announcing via their official site that they’ve signed KBO MVP and Choi Dong-won Award winner Cody Ponce to a three-year contract.
Free-agent reliever Colin Holderman has found a home, agreeing to a one-year deal with the Cleveland Guardians, per FanSided’s Robert Murray.
The Athletic’s Will Sammon reports that outfielder Lane Thomas and the Kansas City Royals have agreed to terms on a deal.
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported that Dodgers World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto has confirmed he will pitch for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic. However, reports out of Japan indicate that his teammate Roki Sasaki will not participate.
Latest on MMO
The latest edition of MMO Roundtable features some not-so-pretty responses to Alonso’s departure.
On This Date In Mets History
1986: The beginning of the dismantling of the 1986 team was only beginning, as the Mets sent Kevin Mitchell, Kevin Armstrong, Kevin Brown, Shawn Abner, and Stan Jefferson to the Padres for Kevin McReynolds, Gene Walter, and Adam Ging. While McReynolds had a somewhat respectable career, Kevin Mitchell would go on to win a Silver Slugger and an MVP after leaving New York.
Born On This Date: None.
