Oct 2, 2022; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves starting shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) hits a home run against the New York Mets in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Larry Robinson-USA TODAY Sports
Most of the big names are now off the board as Hot Stove season slows down somewhat, but there’s still one significant free agent available. Allow MMO to get you caught up on the latest rumors involving the New York Mets and from around MLB.
Swanson In A Good Spot
Dansby Swanson is the last big, big name available on the open market and he has plenty of suitors interested in him with a plethora of teams looking to upgrade at shortstop. Per Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Cubs, Dodgers, Twins, Red Sox and the Braves are all interested and it is possible Swanson could get a deal worth over $200 million. It is worth noting also that, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic, the Twins are very interested in Swanson after losing out on Carlos Correa, who signed a 13-year, $350 million contract with the Giants. However, Hayes notes that the Twins would be likely outbid by the likes of the Cubs and the Braves.
Swanson is a career .255/.321/.417/.738 hitter and, having slashed .277/.329/.447/.776 with 25 home runs and 96 RBI in 2022, he’s projected to earn himself a very nice payday no matter where he eventually ends up landing this winter.
Twins To Be Busy
Let’s stick with the Twins. Having lost out on Correa, the front office are now attempting to figure out what their lineup will look like heading into the 2023 season and beyond. As mentioned above, they are in on Swanson but they are also showing interest in a few more modest free agents. Former Met Justin Turner is believed to be on the radar, per Dan Hayes, while Jon Heyman notes that right fielder Max Kepler is drawing a lot of trade interest after the Twins signed Joey Gallo to a one-year, $11 million deal. It could be a busy few weeks for Minnesota who still have a lot of work to do.
Mets Shopping McCann, Carrasco
It has been a very busy offseason for the Mets and it doesn’t seem that they are done yet. While reports have suggested they are still looking to add a power bat, multiple reports have indicated that the front office are actively shopping catcher James McCann and starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco. Our very own Michael Mayer has reported that the Mets are now aggressively shopping McCann after signing Omar Narváez on Thursday night.
Joel Sherman of The Post has reported that the Mets are listening to offers on Carrasco, with the RHP perhaps expendable following the additions of Justin Verlander, Kodai Senga and José Quintana. Carrasco went 15-7 with a 3.97 ERA, 3.53 FIP, and 152 strikeouts in 152 innings over 29 starts for the Mets in 2022. Carrasco has one season at $14 million left on his contract.
McCann, meanwhile, has largely struggled in Queens and the veteran has hit just .220/.282/.328 with a combined 13 home runs and 64 RBI in 182 games. He is owed $12.15 million in each of the next two seasons and the Mets may have to eat some salary in order to move the veteran catcher.
O’s After More Pitching
The Baltimore Orioles are looking to add some veteran pitching this offseason. According to Rob Bradford of WEEI, the Orioles are showing interest in veteran pitchers Michael Wacha and Rich Hill. Baltimore is looking to take a leap in 2023 and they want to beef up their rotation with two starters who have been there and done that. Hill posted a 98 ERA+ in 26 starts with the Red Sox in 2022, and he pitched for the Orioles way back in 2009.
