Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Good morning, Mets fans!
In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Trevor May expressed optimism about the bullpen next season, saying that he thinks they can reach the “next level” in 2022. May acknowledged the loss of Aaron Loup (0.94 ERA, 0.95 WHIP in 2021), saying: “missing (Loup) is going to be tough.”
However, May added that “five guys that broke with the team at opening day threw over 63 times. I don’t think people understand how unheard of that is.” The Mets bullpen ranked ninth in the league last season with an ERA of 3.90, and they will look to improve upon those numbers for next season.
Now it is time for the morning briefing.
Latest Mets News
Aaron Boone complemented the Mets on choosing Buck Showalter for manager by saying it was “a great hire.” Boone also said that Showalter has “got so much respect around the game and I have such respect for him.”
The MLB lockout is preventing Showalter from meeting the Mets and his new players. Alex Horowitz has more on this story.
Michael Mayer reports that the Mets signed outfielder Daniel Palka. Palka hit 27 home runs for the Chicago White Sox in 2018 and last played in the MLB in 2019. He also had a .836 OPS in AAA this past season.
Jacob Resnick of SNY reports that the Mets also signed RHP Kevin Gadea.
The #Mets have also signed Kevin Gadea, a 27-year-old RHP from Nicaragua.
After missing *four* years due to TJS and Covid, Gadea posted a 2.61 ERA between Double-A and Triple-A with the Yankees in 2021. pic.twitter.com/W5q66j1fEM
— Jacob Resnick (@Jacob_Resnick) December 22, 2021
Gadea was a former Rule 5 pick by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016 but he never pitched for their organization due to injury.
Latest MLB News
The Pittsburgh Pirates hired Caitlyn Callahan, a development coach that is also the first in-uniform female coach in the organization’s history.
Geoff Pontes of Baseball America wrote a piece covering the best college left-handed pitchers to watch for the upcoming MLB draft.
Latest on MMO
Dilip Sridhar analyzes a potential trade for Matt Chapman.
Nate Mendelson discusses how the Mets landed on Buck Showalter.
On This Date in Mets History
1999: Mets GM Steve Phillips convinced the Houston Astros to get the rights to Mike Hampton, a pitcher coming off a 22-4, 2.90 ERA, and 239 innings pitched during the prior season.
Birthdays: Tim Harkness (84), Jerry Koosman (79), Tim Leary (63), Jerry Manuel (68), Josh Satin (37), Jordany Valdespin (34), Rick White (53)
Let’s go Mets!
