Good morning Mets fans! We remain in the time period after the World Series in which only small transactions and small roster moves are going down. While things are quiet in Queens, the noise from South Florida in terms of J.T. Realmuto‘s future is bringing a lot of discussion to the topic of who (if any outside player) new general manager Brodie Van Wagenen may target to fill the catcher’s position.
Latest Mets News
Tim Britton of The Athletic took a look at three other executives who followed a similar path of first being an agent like Van Wagenen.
Kristie Ackert of the Daily News broke down the Mets’ free agency needs.
Jeff McNeil was named one of Baseball Prospectus‘ annual “Ryan Vogelsong Award” winners. His title was “Full Vogelsong Player of the Year.”
Latest MLB News
Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe shared some updates from Boston Red Sox President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski. Dombrowski is unaware of any invitation to the White House at this time, he mentioned that Michael Chavis could get a look at second base, he said that there is no mandate from ownership to get under the cap and some Red Sox coaches have been given permission to interview elsewhere.
Xander Bogaerts was reunited with his father Jan Maarten Bogaerts who he hasn’t seen in 23 years. His father tried reaching out in 2013 when Bogaerts was in the World Series as well, but Bogaerts still needed some time. This time around he took the initiative by calling him and his girlfriend and inviting them to the World Series.
Baseball Digest named Shohei Ohtani their 2018 American League Rookie of the Year.
Derek Shelton and Chris Woodward are the frontrunners for the open Texas Rangers managerial job as of now. Both candidates already had interviews and Woodward did extremely well all according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
Grant Brisbee of SB Nation wrote a memorial piece about Willie McCovey, who passed away on Wednesday.
Latest NL East News
Derek Jeter responded to Realmuto’s comments about wanting to be on a different team in 2019 according to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com. He said, “Whether or not he signs an extension or wants to stay in Miami, that’s not up to us. That’s entirely up to him, and he has that right. But where he plays for the next two years is entirely up to us.”
Scott Lauber of Philly.com wrote about how the Philadelphia Phillies’ positional needs are centered on Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, but are also not limited to them at the same time.
David O’Brien of The Athletic previewed what he thinks will be both an interesting and important offseason for the Atlanta Braves.
Latest on MMO/MMN
Jacob Resnick gave an update on Mets minor league roster moves and which Mets minor leaguers are going to hit free agency today.
Jack Hendon wrote a “Hot Stove Rumor Roundup” about the recent moves teams are making early in the offseason.
John Sheridan wrote about whether the Mets should target Buster Posey in a trade or not.
Matt Musico poses the question of whether the National League East should wage a bidding war for Realmuto.
Richard Heaton graded Jacob deGrom‘s performance for 2018.
Michael Mayer argued that the Mets should non-tender Travis d’Arnaud.
This Day in Mets History
Birthdays: Greg Harris turns 63 and Tom Paciorek turns 72. Bill Connors was also born on this day in 1941.
