Good morning, Mets fans!

On Wednesday, Boston Red Sox and Rafael Devers agreed on an 11-year, $331 million deal. Former MLB player Carlos Baerga reported the news on his Instagram. The one-year, $17.5 million contract that Devers previously signed this free agency to avoid arbitration will be superseded by the extension. In 2022, Devers had a hitting slash of .295/.358/.521 with 27 home runs and 88 RBIs. It is possible that frustrations over losing Xander Bogaerts to the Padres in free agency prompted the Red Sox to give such a large offer to keep Rafael Devers. Christian de Block has more on the story.

Now, it is time for the morning briefing.

Latest Mets News

Will Sammon of The Athletic reports that Drew Toussaint will be the Mets’ amateur scouting director. A member of the Mets’ scouting department for several years, Toussaint was most recently the club’s assistant director of amateur and international scouting. Michael Mayer also reports that Dick Scott is going to be the Triple-A Syracuse Mets manager for 2023. Scott served as the Mets coordinator of coaching development and instruction the last two years. He was also the Mets bench coach in 2016 and 2017. Ross Bentley has more information on these stories.

Michael Mayer reports that on Jan. 7 at 2 p.m., Steve Cohen invites all New Yorkers to a community visioning session at Citi Field to discuss the future of the 50 acres of asphalt around the stadium. You can RSVP at this link.

Michael Mayer also reports that Dick Scott is going to be the Triple-A Syracuse Mets manager for 2023. Scott served as the Mets’ coordinator of coaching development and instruction the last two years. He was also the Mets bench coach in 2016 and 2017.

Wayne Randazzo was recently hired as the play-by-play commentator for the Los Angeles Angels. He released a farewell statement regarding his time with the Mets.

Bryan Kalbrosky of ForTheWin interviewed Mets HOF catcher Mike Piazza.

Latest MLB News

Robert Murray of FanSided reports that free agent outfielder Roman Quinn in agreement on a minor league contract with the Cleveland Guardians. Quinn, who spent last season with the Phillies and Rays, gets an invite to spring training. The Guardians have also signed RHP Touki Toussaint, C Cam Gallagher, RHP Michael Kelly to minor league deals that include spring training invites, according to Zack Meisel of the Athletic.

Daniel Kim of ESPN reports that the KBO announced their 30-man roster for the World Baseball Classic. As expected, big leaguers Ha-Seong Kim, Tommy Edman and Ji-Man Choi all made the team and will be representing Korea.

The Washington Nationals have signed former Met Dominic Smith to a one-year, $2 million deal with an additional two million dollars available in performance bonuses.
Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports that Zach Davies signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks on a one-year, $5 million deal  plus an additional three million dollars available in performance incentives.

Latest on MMO

Ross Bentley proposes low-risk signings to improve roster depth.
Ross Bentley examines the first half of the schedule for the Mets.

On this Date in Mets History

2004: Former Met Tug McGraw passed away on this date. The Mets signed him in 1964, and he bounced around the different levels of the organization until Gil Hodges moved McGraw to the bullpen permanently in 1969. With a deadly screwball pitch as his trademark weapon, Tug saved 86 games as a Met, often reserving his best performances for important moments.
Birthdays: Eduardo Escobar (33), Nori Aoki (40)