Good morning, Mets fans!
The MLB lockout started today after the collective bargaining agreement between the MLB and the MLBPA expired yesterday at 11:59 PM EST. It is the first MLB stoppage in the last 26 years, and the ninth stoppage overall in MLB history. There is no clear end date to the lockout, but hopefully a new CBA can be established before the start of the 2022 MLB regular season on March 31, 2022. Click the link to read Robert Manfred’s statement to baseball fans on the lockout. Also, Rich Sparago of Metsmerized has more on this story.
Now, it is time for the morning briefing.
Latest Mets News
Max Scherzer had his introductory press conference yesterday at 1:00 PM EST. Scherzer shared a lot of information with the media, but he emphasized his satisfaction with joining two-time Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom and Steve Cohen in Queens. Additionally, Scherzer said that it would be “the ultimate dream” for the Mets to win the world series and “I really enjoy being where you’re expected to win.” Nate Mendelson has more on this story.
Jeff Passan of ESPN reports that Marcus Stroman signed a three-year, 71 million dollar contract with the Chicago Cubs that includes an opt out after the second season. Nate Mendelson has more on this story.
Yesterday, the Mets received a 3.75 million dollar payment from the Seattle Mariners to partially fund a portion of Robinson Cano‘s 2022 salary, according to Jacob Resnick of SNY.
New jersey numbers for the mets have been released. Jeff McNeil will wear #1, Starling Marte will wear #6, Eduardo Escobar will wear #10, Mark Canha will wear #19, and Max Scherzer will wear #21.
The Mets have signed catcher Nick Dini and LHP Rob Zastryzny to minor league deals.
Latest MLB News
Jerry Dipoto (president of baseball operations for the Seattle Mariners) confirms that the organization had a meeting with Seiya Suzuki on Zoom. Dipoto: “I don’t know where that will lead. But I can tell you, we’re interested. He’s a great player.”
The Phillies signed right-handed reliever Corey Knebel to a one year, ten million dollar deal and Johan Camargo to a one year, 1.4 million dollar deal.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that Mark Melancon has agreed to a two year, twelve million dollar deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reported that Rich Hill (1 year, 5 million dollars guaranteed) and James Paxton (1 year, ten million dollars) have been signed by the Boston Red Sox.
Chris Taylor and the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed on a contract yesterday: four years, 60 million dollars with a fifth year, 13 million dollar option.
The San Diego Padres signed Nick Martinez on a four year, 20 million dollar contract. Martinez gets opt outs after the first and second years of the contract.
The Orioles signed Jordan Lyles on a one year, seven million dollar contract with a 2023 club option.
The Red Sox have traded Hunter Renfroe to the Milwaukee Brewers for a package that includes Jackie Bradley Jr.
Latest on MMO
Alex Horowitz discusses excitement around the new Met acquisitions.
On This Date in Mets History
1968: The Mets took Wayne Garrett from the Atlanta Braves the in the rule 5 draft.
1991: Bobby Bonilla signed a five year, 29 million dollar contract with the Mets, making him the highest paid player in the NL at the time. In fact, the Mets owe Bonilla 1.19 million dollars per year until 2035.
Let’s go Mets!
