AROLDIS CHAPMAN, LHP

Position: RP B/T: L/L

Age: 37 (02/28/1988)

2025 Traditional Stats: 41 G, 24 GF, 17 SV, 38 IP, 3-2, 1.18 ERA, 0.763 WHIP, 58 SO, 10 BB

2025 Advanced Stats: 351 ERA+, 40.6% SO%, 7.0% BB%, 1.94 xERA, 1.50 FIP, 1.99 xFIP, 2.0 bWAR, 1.8 fWAR

RUNDOWN

Aroldis Chapman is having as good of a season as any high-leverage reliever in baseball. The future Hall of Famer has played a big role in a Red Sox’s bullpen that owns a 3.44 ERA, the third-best mark in the American League. Chapman has always had plus stuff. A dominant four-seam fastball with stuff to play off of it. This season, his sinker in particular has been a major weapon. Opponents are hitting .102 with a .184 slugging percentage against it. He is also throwing his sinker a career-high 32.8% of the time. Dominance.

A few weeks ago, it seemed as if the Red Sox were all but confirmed to be sellers at the deadline. Moving the likes of Alex Bregman and Chapman felt inevitable. But their situation has drastically changed. The Red Sox finished the first half as the hottest team in all of baseball, rattling off 10 straight wins. All of a sudden, they are now three games out of the top spot in the AL East. Unless the team begins the second half with an improbable losing streak, Chapman is not going anywhere.

FÉLIX BAUTISTA, RHP

Position: RP B/T: R/R

Age: 30 (06/20/1995)

2025 Traditional Stats: 34 G, 27 GF, 18 SV, 33 2/3 IP, 1-1, 2.41 ERA, 1.040 WHIP, 48 SO, 20 BB

2025 Advanced Stats: 163 ERA+, 35.6% SO%, 14.8% BB%, 2.66 xERA, 3.17 FIP, 3.07 xFIP, 1.1 bWAR, 0.6 fWAR

RUNDOWN

Félix Bautista missed all of last season as he recovered from Tommy John surgery. The hard-throwing right-hander has returned and pitched well this season. His 18 saves are the seventh-best mark in the American League. If the Orioles had played better baseball out of the gate, I’m sure that number would be higher. One concern for Bautista is his walk rate. He is walking 5.3 hitters per nine. His previous high was 3.8 per nine in 2023.

Since the start of June, the Orioles are 22-16. This mini resurgence has made it a conversation as to whether or not they do a full sell or a soft sell at the deadline. The latter seems the likelier of the two. If that’s the case, like Chapman, Bautista is unlikely to be dealt. He has two more years of control, and the Orioles will look to compete again in 2026, but if an enticing offer presents itself, who knows?

DAVID BEDNAR, RHP

Position: RP B/T: L/R

Age: 30 (10/10/1994)

2025 Traditional Stats: 36 G, 29 GF, 13 SV, 32 IP, 2-5, 2.53 ERA, 1.125 WHIP, 45 SO, 9 BB

2025 Advanced Stats: 170 ERA+, 34.6% SO%, 6.9% BB%, 2.92 xERA, 2.02 FIP, 2.55 xFIP, 1.0 bWAR, 1.1 fWAR

RUNDOWN

David Bednar has had an interesting season. After just three appearances, the Pirates optioned him to Triple-A Indianapolis on April 1. While he did take the loss in two of those three appearances in their first series of the season, it was still shocking to see him optioned so early on. Bednar was recalled on April 19 and has been with the big league team since.

Since returning and reclaiming his spot as the team’s closer, he has been magnificent. Over his last 33 appearances, Bednar owns a 1.74 ERA across 31 innings. He has made 18 consecutive appearances without giving up an earned run, dating back to May 24. He has shown over the last few months that he is a dominant and reliable arm late in games. Bednar having an additional year of control will only increase the price in return. With the Pirates 19 games below. 500, expect the right-hander to be moved this month.

DENNIS SANTANA

Position: RP B/T: R/R

Age: 29 (04/12/1996)

2025 Traditional Stats: 40 G, 14 GF, 5 SV, 40 1/3 IP, 3-2, 1.56 ERA, 0.818 WHIP, 29 SO, 7 BB

2025 Advanced Stats: 274 ERA+, 19.1% SO%, 4.6% BB%, 3.19 xERA, 2.49 FIP, 3.82 xFIP, 1.8 bWAR, 1.0fWAR

RUNDOWN

Dennis Santana is a name some Mets fans will be familiar with. He briefly pitched for the team in 2023, throwing 10 2/3 innings across nine appearances. He struggled in those opportunities, pitching to a 5.91 ERA. His pitch mix has changed since then, and as a result, his numbers have drastically improved. In 2023, he used all five of his pitches at least 10% of the time. His most-used pitch, the sinker, was getting crushed. That season, opponents hit .444 with an 1.000 slugging percentage against the sinker.

Fast forward to this season, and Santana is now using his sinker 7.1% of the time, his fourth most-used pitch. He heavily operates with a slider and a four-seam fastball, with the former being his best weapon. Opponents are hitting .139 with a .153 slugging percentage against his slider. Santana is having the best season of his career, even showing capabilities of closing from time to time when Bednar was struggling. With an additional year of control and an improved pitch mix, maybe the Mets would have interest in a reunion.

Packages

All four of these pitchers will likely have a similar price tag – Chapman’s may differ a little since he’s a rental. The Mets will likely be willing to deal from their second-tier prospects, as well as the struggling and out-of-options Mark Vientos. In any of these deals, they could part with arms such as Will Watson, Zach Thornton, Brendan Girton, or Frank Elissalt. Younger hitting prospects such as Edward Lantigua and Colin Houck may also be available.

Recommendation

Of the four, Bednar seems like the most realistic and impactful acquisition the Mets can make. He has been one of the best relievers in the majors since getting recalled from Triple-A, and his closing experience would help alleviate some pressure from Edwin Díaz and Reed Garrett.

The post MMO Trade Profile: High-Leverage Relievers appeared first on Metsmerized.

Position: RP B/T: L/L
Age: 36 (02/28/1988)

2024 Traditional Stats: 68 G, 61 2/3 IP, 3.79 ERA, 1.346 WHIP, 5-5, 98 SO, 39 BB
2024 Advanced Stats: 111 ERA+, 37% K%, 14.7% BB%, 2.96 xERA, 3.04 FIP, 3.14 xFIP, 1.1 fWAR

Rundown

Aroldis Chapman is known for firing a 105.8-mile-per-hour fastball in 2010 when he was just 22 years old—the fastest pitch ever recorded in MLB history. He still averaged 98.7 MPH on his fastball in 2024 and has even touched 105. He has thrown more 103, 104, and 105 MPH pitches than anyone else. Quite simply, he is the hardest-throwing pitcher in recent memory, aside from some very up-for-debate takes regarding people like Nolan Ryan or Satchel Paige. His fastball has earned Chapman the nickname “The Cuban Missile.”

Chapman defected from Cuba in 2009 as a 21-year-old, immediately drawing interest around the league thanks to his blazing fastball. When he debuted with the Cincinnati Reds, he became one of the game’s premier closers. Over his first six seasons in the majors, Chapman posted a stellar 2.17 ERA across 319 innings and locked down 146 saves.

In 2016, the Yankees traded for Chapman, only to flip him to the Cubs at the Trade Deadline in exchange for Gleyber Torres. Down the stretch, Chapman played a pivotal role in helping Chicago end their 108-year World Series drought. After the championship, Chapman returned to the Yankees, signing a record-setting five-year, $86 million deal. At the time, he signed the largest contract ever given to a reliever.

When you can consistently touch 101 MPH on the radar gun, it seems impossible to be outmatched, and for the most part, Chapman has shown that to be true. But even with his heater holding steady, he’s started to lose an edge. For instance, in 2022, his ERA climbed above 4.00 for the first time in his career. At first glance, his 10.7 SO/9 looks solid. Compared to his career average of 14.9 SO/9 entering the year 2022, it shows a definite decline for the Missile. This drop in strikeouts and his struggles to find the zone led to an unmanageable 1.54 SO/BB rate. Even a 101 MPH fastball cannot save you if you lose control.

Chapman was mired in some controversy off the field. According to manager Aaron Boone, Chapman missed a mandatory team workout with the Yankees before the 2022 postseason. General manager Brian Cashman fined him and was barred from making the postseason roster.

While it’s unclear how Chapman’s disciplinary issues impacted his value, the Yankees elected not to re-sign him. The Royals then took a flyer on him, and after a great first half in 2023, they flipped him at the Trade Deadline to the Rangers for emerging ace Cole Ragans. Once again, Chapman played a central role in a win-win trade—he helped his new team secure a Fall Classic victory while the Royals added a future star.

Chapman now comes off a 2024 season in which he regressed slightly, but his underlying metrics remain solid. His 3.79 ERA isn’t eye-catching, but it comes with a 3.04 FIP and 2.98 xERA. Additionally, he still strikes batters out at a crazy high rate of 37.1%. Unfortunately, he still has no idea where the ball is going. His BB% of 14.4% ranks in the 1st percentile. More significantly, Chapman also couldn’t limit hard contact, a defining characteristic in the past. Batters averaged a 90.5 MPH exit velocity, ranking in the 9th percentile.

At this point in his career, Chapman is a high-risk, high-reward option. His disgusting fastball still generates strikeouts, but it’s so wild and perhaps prone to hard contact that Chapman is completely unpredictable. If he can harness his command and go back to allowing less hard contact, he still has the potential to be dominant, but in his older age, the margin for error has shrunk.

Contract

Neither MLB Trade Rumors nor The Athletic ranked Chapman among the Top 50 Free Agents, but FanGraphs slotted him in at 37th. They predict he will net a one-year, $10 million deal, which seems reasonable for a 37-year-old with a high ceiling. However, he earned $10 million last year coming off a slightly better season, so it wouldn’t be surprising if he took a pay cut this time around.

Recommendation

The Mets are in desperate need of a left-handed reliever. Right now, their bullpen features just one southpaw: Danny Young. So, they’ll likely sign a lefty, but perhaps not Chapman. While Chapman wouldn’t be the worst signing of all time, he is the definition of unknown. He’s getting older, and although his fastball hasn’t lost much velocity, he’s at an age where his performance can go downhill quickly. David Stearns generally looks for bargains in the reliever market, and Chapman isn’t that commodity. Unless Chapman can prove he’s worth the risk, it’s more likely he’ll land elsewhere. The Mets might not offer him the closer or setup man role he’d want, nor the salary he’s looking for.

Overall, given his volatile pitching style and also the Mets’ recent signing of Genesis Cabrera to bolster their left-handed bullpen depth, pursuing the 37-year-old Chapman seems unnecessary. Cabrera provides a younger, more cost-effective option with less risk, making Chapman a less attractive fit for the team’s needs.

The post Free Agent Profile: Aroldis Chapman, RP appeared first on Metsmerized.

The late-game chaos started with a peculiar decision by manager Carlos Mendoza. That specific decision was to bring closer Edwin Díaz into the game with two outs and two on in the eighth inning. Dedniel Núñez battled back after allowing two base hits to strikeout Bryan Reynolds for the inning’s second out. Instead of allowing Núñez to attempt to wiggle himself out of trouble, Mendoza called upon Díaz for the game’s final four outs.

Díaz promptly served up a four-pitch walk and two-run single giving the Pirates the 2-1 lead. Díaz, like Núñez, pitched on Saturday, his first appearance since his 10-game suspension concluded. Luckily, after Mendoza stuck to his guns, Díaz rebounded after the Mets regained the lead in the top of the ninth inning to earn the win.

Sean Manaea. Photo by Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Elsewhere on the mound, Sean Manaea continued his terrific season as he made his 17th start of the season. He tossed six scoreless frames, allowing only two hits to go along with six strikeouts. Manaea only allowed four hard-hit balls, lowering his season ERA to 3.43. He has now only allowed one earned run over his last 18 innings.

Reed Garrett tossed a scoreless seventh inning, thanks in large part to a double play, as he pitched for a second-straight day.

The Mets’ offense had an interesting day. After stranding runners in scoring position in two different innings, they finally broke through in the eighth. Brandon Nimmo came through with a clutch two-out double which scored Francisco Lindor giving the Mets a 1-0 lead.

After the blown save by Díaz, the Mets responded quickly in the top of the ninth inning. New York loaded the bases against Aroldis Chapman; this thanks to great at-bats by Francisco Alvarez and José Iglesias, who both worked out walks. Lindor then came to the plate and lined a two-out and eventual game-winning single to left field.

Thanks to the win, the Mets are once again at .500 with a 44-44 record. They have also guaranteed a series split with Pittsburgh entering the fourth and final game in Pittsburgh tomorrow.

Statistic of the Game: 6.85 ERA

For whatever reason, the New York Mets have owned veteran closer Aroldis Chapman. Through 22 1/3 innings against the Mets, Chapman has posted a 6.85 ERA. The team that Chapman has struggled the most against outside the Mets; the Houston Astros, who Chapman has a career 5.55 ERA against.

Player of the Game: Francisco Lindor

Francisco Lindor continued his under-the-radar stellar season. Lindor reached base for times on Sunday, posting a 3-for-4 day with two RBIs and his 26th double of the season. His last hit of the game was a two-run single that scored the eventual game-winning run; it came with two outs.

Lindor entered the game trailing only Elly De La Cruz among National League shortstops in fWAR. He is very deserving of his first All-Star game nod while in a Mets uniform.

On Deck

The Mets continue their set with the Pittsburgh Pirates with a series finale tomorrow afternoon. First pitch at PNC Park is slated for 12:35 pm ET with the probable pitching matchup being Christian Scott versus Mitch Keller.

The post Late-Game Chaos Results In 3-2 Mets Victory appeared first on Metsmerized.

According to Francys Romero of MLB, Aroldis Chapman is in agreement on a contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The deal is pending physical. It is a one-year, $10.5 million deal, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

Original Post: Jan 22 at 1:14 pm ET

With the reliever market finally heating up, Andy Martino of SNY reports the Mets, along with the Yankees, have shown interest in Hector Neris and Aroldis Chapman. Both teams are in contact with each player’s representatives.

Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

According to Martino, the Mets have around $10 million left to spend this offseason and would like to upgrade their bullpen. Neris, a right-hander who spent time in the Phillies and Astros organizations, has a career 3.24 ERA in 541 innings pitched. He was one of the best relievers in baseball in 2023, having a career year with a 1.71 ERA. Neris is looking for a multi-year deal with an AAV of around $7-$11 million.

Chapman is no stranger to New York, spending seven of his 13 major league years with the Yankees. A flame-throwing southpaw who regained his once iconic 103 mph fastball in 2023, Chapman is an intriguing fit for any team. He has a career 2.53 ERA but struggled during his time in New York. His 6.9 BB/9 in 2022 was his highest since 2011. Once a feared closer in baseball, he won his second World Series with the Rangers in 2023.

The Mets haven’t made many splashy moves this offseason, instead opting for depth and experience. Neris and Chapman would fit their current trend of signing players to low-medium risk contracts with high reward potential. The team has players like Nate Lavender and Bryce Montes de Oca in their farm, but the former has no big league experience, and the latter is recovering from Tommy John surgery. In need of bullpen help and the market dwindling, the competition will be fierce in signing the remaining players available.

The post Aroldis Chapman Signs With Pirates appeared first on Metsmerized.

Yamamoto decided to join Shohei Ohtani in the Dodger blue, taking the Mets bid to Los Angeles and allowing the organization to match the dollar figure.

While many didn’t believe it at the time, the Mets were reportedly the third team behind the Yankees and Dodgers during Yamamoto’s brief free agency. The outcome, while disappointing, confirmed these reports.

Now that Yamamoto is officially off the table, it’s time for the Mets to look forward. There are still plenty of free agents available and the Mets still have quite a few roster spots to fill.

David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Starting Rotation

The most notable area the Mets need to fill is the rotation.

Missing out on Yamamoto certainly makes this area trickier to fix. The 25-year-old would have slotted as the Mets ace for 2024 and the next decade.

Instead, the Mets rotation for 2024 is top-heavy. Kodai Senga and José Quintana are solid options at the top, but the bottom is filled out with question marks in Luis Severino, Joey Lucchesi, Tylor Megill, and José Butto.

Adding Adrian Houser on Thursday helped lengthen the rotation, but he’s more of a depth piece than a difference-maker. He started in 21 games last season but failed to make it past the fourth inning eight times and registered a 4.12 ERA.

Still, even with these holes, the Mets are looking at more of a patch job this offseason than long-term solutions. David Stearns already hinted the Mets wouldn’t pivot to other big names such as Jordan Montgomery or Blake Snell if they missed out on Yamamoto, which makes sense when looking at the dollar figures they’re asking for after dominating seasons past age 30.

The more realistic option on the market is Lucas Giolito. He had a horrid second half in 2023 but is a former All-Star who is projected to take a short-term deal with the hopes of parlaying it into a longer-term deal in 2025.

Another option for the Mets would be Shōta Imanaga. The left-hander has a career 2.96 ERA in Nippon Professional Baseball, and is renowned for his excellent command and deceptive low 90s fastball.

Designated Hitter

The next area of immediate focus for the Mets should be the designated hitter. The position has been destitute for the Mets since the National League adopted it and this offseason could change that narrative.

The most logical route would be a reunion with Justin Turner. The 38-year-old had another above-average offensive season, slashing .276/.345/.455 with 23 homers and 96 RBI with the Red Sox. He could slot into the middle of the Mets lineup and do damage.

Plus, Turner also solves another issue for the Mets: Third Base. Ronny Mauricio is going to miss the entire 2024 season after tearing his ACL and Brett Baty registered a .598 OPS in 108 games last season. Turner gives the Mets another option at the position in case Baty struggles again or if Mark Vientos can’t handle the defensive responsibilities.

The other options on the market are J.D. Martinez and Jorge Soler. Martinez slugged 33 homers and recorded a .893 OPS at age 35, while Soler recorded a .853 OPS with 36 homers with no protection in the Marlins lineup.

Both are enticing and strong right-handed bats. The only issue with the two is their fluidity on the roster. Martinez and Soler are true DHs. Martinez will be 36 next year and played all but three games at DH in 2023. Soler on the other hand played 62 games in the field last season but registered -3 outs above average and a -5 run value in the field.

The Bullpen

Stearns has been busy this offseason making smart moves to steadily improve the ‘pen. He has added veteran arms in Jorge López, Michael Tonkin, Yohan Ramírez, and Austin Adams this offseason, while also signing Kyle Crick, Cole Sulser, and Andre Scrubb to minor-league deals.

Still, the Mets bullpen is missing one or two pieces. Late-inning arms.

One popular name that fits the profile is David Robertson. The 39-year-old was stellar for the Mets in the first half of 2023, pitching to a 2.05 ERA before being flipped to the Marlins for the Mets now No. 6 prospect Marco Vargas and Ronald Hernández.

It’s also worth noting Robertson lives in Rhode Island and would be open to a reunion with the Mets. He did, however, struggle with the Marlins in the second half of 2023. R0bertson pitched to 5.05 ERA in Miami and was demoted from the closer’s role.

Another arm the Mets could pursue is Aroldis Chapman. The ex-Yankee fixed a mechanical issue in the 2022-23 off-season and was back to throwing 103 miles per hour last season.

With his old velocity, Chapman had another overpowering season. He struck out 15.9 batters per nine, finishing with a 3.09 ERA and World Series ring in 2023.

The free agent market starts to thin after Chapman and Robertson. Josh Hader is still available but is asking for a contract worth more than Edwin Díaz. The Mets could turn to Matt Moore or Michael Fulmer, but those two have little to no experience late in games.

The post Evaluating The Remaining Free Agent Market appeared first on Metsmerized.

The long awaited arrival of one of the Mets’ top prospects, Ronny Mauricio, will finally be coming to fruition as he is going to be promoted to the major league roster in the coming days. The initial news came from Daniel Álvarez-Montes of El Extrabase, who reported that the Mets third-ranked prospect will be promoted when the rosters expand to 28 on Friday, September 1. For more in-depth analysis of the call-up, click here.

Ronny Mauricio – Final Destination? Outfield. Photo Courtesy of https://momentodeportivord.com/que-significa-carlos-correa-en-los-mets-para-ronny-mauricio/

The Mets won in walk-off fashion Wednesday night, as they salvaged the last of three games against the Texas Rangers by a score of 6-5. Denyi Reyes had his best performance as a Met, going 5 1/3 innings while only allowing two earned runs on three hits, but that became a minute detail in a night that was all about DJ Stewart.

Stewart started his heroic night by teaming up with Daniel Vogelbach on a pair of home runs in the second inning to give the Mets a 2-0 lead. Facing a 5-3 deficit in the bottom of the eighth, DJ struck again as he knotted the game right back up by sending another home run over the right field wall. He also sparkled in the field as he ran into the right-center field wall to rob Marcus Semien of a double in the top of the ninth. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th in a 5-5 game, Stewart got hit by the first pitch he saw from Aroldis Chapman to win the game and cap off his unforgettable night.

The Mets will take Thursday to rest as they prepare to host the red-hot Seattle Mariners over the weekend at Citi Field.

Latest Mets News

All sorts of Pete Alonso buzz has been swirling around for the past two months. Most recently, there has been an increase in rumors concerning Alonso having a negative impact on the clubhouse. But an article from Deesha Thosar article of FOX Sports tried to put that to rest. The article highlights that a possible trade involving Alonso will be purely fiscally motivated. Alonso gave off the sentiment that the trade rumors are not getting to him, and many Mets players rallied around him. The article details how a Mets higher-up said players were upset with the reports saying Alonso was “toxic,” and many players plan to make it known that they want him back with the club for years to come. 

Daniel Palka, who the Mets recently signed back to a minor league contract, quite literally hit a home run out of the ballpark as he sent a moonshot that traveled 458 feet and was rocketed 112.8 mph off the bat. 

458 feet at 112.8 mph by Daniel Palka in his second day back with the Triple-A Syracuse Mets.

He had three hits in his first game back.

pic.twitter.com/njoNDPBwxP

— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) August 30, 2023

Latest MLB News

Juan Recio and Jeff Passan of ESPN provided an update on the Wander Franco situation, as the Dominican Republic is investigating a second formal complaint that the Rays’ shortstop engaged in a relationship with a minor. This is the latest of three accusations against Franco; prosecutors from the division that are investigating Franco’s situation hope to speak with him in the coming weeks.

The New York Yankees are calling up two of their top 10 prospects in outfielder Jasson Domínguez and catcher Austin Wells, Passan of ESPN also reported. The two newest call-ups join Anthony Volpe, Oswald Peraza, and Everson Pereira as the Yankees continue to call up highly touted prospects in their system to the major league level. The two latest additions are expected to join the club in Houston during their series against the Astros over the weekend. 

Two veterans found new homes Wednesday while clubs are looking to make last-minute additions to their rosters, as players need to be in the organization a month prior to the start of the postseason to be eligible for the postseason roster. One of those players was former Met Billy Hamilton. The Tampa Bay Rays signed the know base stealer to a minor league deal, per Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times, although he might not be able to play right away as he is still nursing a shoulder injury. The other was catcher Tucker Barnhart, who signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers after being released by the Cubs earlier this month. Robert Murray of FanSided was the first to report the Barnhart news.

Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper notched his 300th career home run as he hit a go-ahead two-run shot in the eighth inning of a loss against the Los Angeles Angels. Harper has been in the spotlight from a very young age, donning the cover of Sports Illustrated at 16 year old, and he has not let the expectations get to him. The former phenom has succeeded at every level, and accumulating his 300th home run Wednesday afternoon was just another milestone eclipsed on his trip to Cooperstown. 

BRYCE. HARPER.#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/zy0uCGTa6Q

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) August 30, 2023

Latest on MMO

Ross Bentley did a deeper breakdown of the Mets clubhouse responding to rumors of Pete Alonso being “toxic.”

Metsmerized Online‘s witter page is holding a giveaway for three Kevin Parada rookie cards!

Metsmerized Online is also giving you the opportunity to win three of the Mets newest call-up Ronny Mauricio’ rookie cards!

On This Date in Mets History

2016: In the bottom of the eighth inning, Kelly Johnson broke a 2-2 tie as he hit a bases clearing double to take a give the Mets a 5-2 lead against the Miami Marlins. Jeurys Familia came in for the top of the ninth as he notched his 44th save on the season, breaking Armando Benítez and his own record of saves in a season which previously stood at 43. 

2020: Tom Seaver passes away at the age of 75. “The Franchise” took a young Mets franchise to prominence, leading the Amazin’s to wo World Series appearances and one World Series win, along with notching 3 Cy Young awards and 10 All-Star appearances while with the club. Seaver would go on to be the first retired number in Mets franchise history and is recognized in Cooperstown for eternity.

2021: Trailing 5-1 in the ninth inning of the first game of a day/night doubleheader against the Marlins, Brandon Nimmo sparks a late rally with a two-run homer as he cuts the deficit in half. Newest Met Javier Baez, who reached on an infield single, would then race from first to home on a Michael Conforto double to give the Mets the win, following a week of “thumbs up, thumbs down” controversy.

Birthdays: Ramón Ramírez (42), Hideo Nomo (55), Pat Howell (55)

The post Morning Briefing: The Ronny Mauricio Era Set to Begin appeared first on Metsmerized.

Mark Vientos, Photo by Herm Card

Good morning, Mets fans!

On Thursday afternoon, the New York Mets faced off against the Cincinnati Reds with hopes of securing a series win. However, the game didn’t go as planned for the Mets, as they struggled in the first inning once again. Kodai Senga took the mound for the Mets, but he was unable to keep the Reds at bay in the opening frame, giving up four runs. The Mets were unable to make up the deficit, ultimately losing 5-0. This loss marked the seventh time this season that the team has been shut out, the most in the majors. For more on this game, check out our recap.

During the pregame show by Visit Syracuse, Mets prospect Mark Vientos spoke with Triple-A Syracuse Mets play-by-play man Evan Stockton about his approach to his successful start this season, saying “I live in the present. How can I get one percent better today? I don’t hear what they’re saying.”

Now onto the morning briefing!

Latest Mets News

As per Sportico, New York City Football Club (NYCFC) has released new renderings of their upcoming soccer-specific stadium in Queens, New York. The stadium is currently under construction and is expected to be ready for the 2027 Major League Soccer season. The stadium will be located across the street from the right field area of Citi Field.

David Griffin, a former Division III college player who also played in the independent leagues, has become a successful Triple-A pitcher this season. After initially being held back in extended spring training, he was called up to fill a spot in Syracuse and went on to dominate in his first two Triple-A outings, catching the attention of the Mets front office. While he still has room for improvement to become an MLB caliber pitcher, he has the potential to climb the ladder and eventually pitch for the Mets. MetsMinors.net has more on Griffin and his progress!

Latest MLB News

Kansas City Royals pitcher Aroldis Chapman is reportedly receiving early trade interest, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Chapman, who is a seven-time All-Star, has started the season strong, with 12 2/3 innings pitched out of the bullpen, and a .174/.269/.196 line against opposing hitters. His 38.5% strikeout rate ranks him eighth among relievers with 10+ innings pitched.

According to Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, pitcher Jacob deGrom will be sidelined for an additional two to three weeks due to elbow inflammation.

Ken Giles, who spent five weeks training at Driveline in Phoenix, will reportedly begin throwing live batting practice on Friday for any interested team looking to improve their bullpen, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Driveline will provide data on Giles’ pitching metrics, such as ride, spin rate, and slider depth, to help teams assess their comfort level with the pitcher.

Latest on MMO

On This Date in Mets History

2011: In a game against the Rockies, Carlos Beltran hit home runs to all three fields. He hit one over Coors Field’s center field fence in the first inning, went long to left in the seventh, and completed the trifecta with a bomb to the upper deck in right field in the game’s final frame.

1925: Hall of Famer Yogi Berra was born. Berra became a coach for the Mets in 1965 and played a brief stint as a player that year. He later took over as the team’s manager after Gil Hodges‘ death in 1972 and led the Mets to the World Series in his second year. However, the team slumped in 1974 and Berra was let go in 1975 due to rising tensions in the clubhouse. He had a 292-296 record in his four-year stint, which is fifth on the team’s career managerial wins list. Berra passed away on September 22, 2015.

Birthdays: Jack Egbert (40), Mark Clark (55), Kenny Greer (56), Kevin Bass (64), Joe Nolan (72), Bob Heise (76)

The post Morning Briefing: Mark Vientos Trying to ‘Live in the Present’ appeared first on Metsmerized.

Good morning, Mets fans!

According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, the New York Mets are assembling their special instructors for Spring Training and want franchise legend David Wright to work closely with prospects Mark Vientos and Brett Baty. Both Vientos and Baty saw major league time last season and are seen as future options at third base. Baty hit .184 with two home runs in 42 plate appearances, while playing 11 games at third base. On the other end, Vientos, saw similar playing time and hit .167 with a home run in 41 plate appearances, primarily as a designated hitter and two games at third base. The Mets hope in working with Wright, both Vientos and Baty can become viable options for the hot corner.

Now onto the morning briefing!

Latest MLB News

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports that the Kansas City Royals have signed reliever Aroldis Chapman to a one-year deal worth $3.75 million, that also includes performance bonuses. Coming off his worst statistical season in 2022, Chapman missed a mandatory team workout before the Yankees ALDS series versus Cleveland and as a result was left off the postseason roster.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that Raimel Tapia has signed a minor league deal with the Boston Red Sox, as noted by Tapia on his Instagram account.

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How Shift Limitations Will Affect Mets’ Pitchers

On This Date in Mets History

1984: After re-acquiring Tom Seaver from the Cincinnati Reds the offseason prior, the Mets left Seaver unprotected in the annual free agent compensation draft. Seaver was taken by the Chicago White Sox and the vacated spot left by Seaver allowed the Mets to insert into the rotation budding superstar Dwight Gooden.

Birthdays: Ali Sanchez (26), Travis Taijeron (34)

The post Morning Briefing: Mets Want David Wright As Instructor For Prospects appeared first on Metsmerized.

Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Mets have done well to keep their bullpen strong this offseason. In addition to re-signing Edwin Díaz and Adam Ottavino, the team brought in veteran David Robertson, as well as lefty Brooks Raley from Tampa Bay. Additionally, the team has bolstered its depth by acquiring several lower-level relievers like Elieser Hernández and Zach Greene.

The Mets, as it stands, should have a competitive bullpen, but you can never have too many arms. To account for injuries, possible regression from some players, and the loss of Seth Lugo and Trevor May, the Mets may look to add another reliever or too before the start of the season.  In fact, Billy Eppler said on Tuesday that the Mets were “engaged” in the free agent bullpen market.

Here are some of the players the Mets could still target at this point in the offseason.

Zack Britton

The Mets have been linked to former Orioles closer Zack Britton for much of the offseason. Britton, who previously played for Buck Showalter in Baltimore, is not the dominant force he once was and has pitched just 38 innings since 2020, but could still provide value in the right situation. The Mets would be hoping Britton can return to health and rediscover his old form.

Michael Fulmer

Former Mets prospect Michael Fulmer would be a solid pickup to bolster the New York bullpen. Fulmer transitioned from a starting pitching role into a relief one in 2021 and has turned his career around. Fulmer pitched to a 3.39 ERA last season with the Tigers and Twins and was even better in the 2021 season. Fulmer is also still only 29-years-old.

Andrew Chafin

Many thought Andrew Chafin would be an option for the Mets last season, but they ended up trading for Joely Rodriguez to serve as the team’s lefty instead to poor results. Chafin was his usually solid self in Detroit last season pitching to a 2.83 ERA while walking 19 and striking out 67. Chafin is one of the most realistic options for the Mets, and Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported Wednesday that New York was among the teams interested.

Brad Hand

Former Met Brad Hand was a solid contributor to the Phillies bullpen last season but is still without a home for the 2023 season. Hand was impressive in his short stint in Queens in 2021 and is a veteran lefty with late-inning experience. Hand compiled a 2.80 ERA last season in Philly with an ERA+ of 146.

Will Smith

Just two years ago, Will Smith saved 37 games for the World Series champion Braves. Last season was a step down for Smith, though he did win his second straight championship after being traded to the Astros for Jake Odorizzi. Smith pitched in 65 total games a year ago with a 3.97 ERA and a 102 ERA+.

Aroldis Chapman

Seeing Aroldis Chapman in blue and orange would be bizarre, and his off-the-field history alone could be reason enough for the Mets to steer clear. Still, while Chapman is far from the pitcher he was when he signed a five-year, $86 million deal with the Yankees, he could still prove to be an effective reliever if he rediscovers his stuff, and his confidence.

Corey Knebel

Corey Knebel was the Phillies closer early in the 2022 season but he suffered through numerous injuries and ended up missing the entire postseason run. Knebel is a buy-low option who may not even be healthy for the start of the season but could come in handy if he can stay on the field later in the season.

Alex Colomé

Alex Colomé didn’t exactly have a career year last season in Colorado, pitching to a 5.74 ERA in 47 innings. Still, he may be worth taking a flyer on. Colomé had a 0.81 ERA in the shortened 2020 season for the White Sox and has saved as many as 37 games in his career. It’s possible he’s in line for a bounceback season once he gets away from Coors Field and would make for a solid middle-innings option for Epplerand the Mets.

Other

Aside from the names listed, other options include Ian Kennedy, Trevor Rosenthal, Alex Reyes, Archie Bradley, Matt Moore, Justin Wilson, and Bryan Shaw.

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Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Good morning, Mets fans!

The Miami Marlins seem to be making some news in both the free agent and trade markets. Jon Heyman of the New York Post is reporting the Marlins are among a few teams interested in signing relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman, who is also being considered by a few other MLB teams. The Marlins are also talking with the Minnesota Twins about their All-Star Luis Arraez, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. The 2022 American League batting champion will come at a steep price, according to Hayes, as the Twins are looking potentially for pitcher Pablo Lopez.

Latest Mets News

The Mets held a press conference to introduce their newly acquire catcher Omar Narváez and re-signed reliver Adam Ottavino. General manager Billy Eppler, who led the press conference, commented on multiple subjects.

While emphasizing the depth the Mets roster already have, Eppler said the team continues to look for right-handed batting outfielders and relief pitchers, something the team could have used late in the 2022 season. Some big names still remain available in the free agent market, like Tommy Pham and Adam Duvall, but Eppler also says the team has dabbled in the trade market.

Along with depth, Eppler kept his comments to himself when asked about the Carlos Correa signing. He also kept things quiet when asked about extensions to All-Stars Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil.

To put it in Eppler’s words, we’ll see if “anything actually comes to fruition” in the coming weeks before the start of Spring Training and the World Baseball Classic.

Speaking of Alonso, he continues to hold charity baseball outings while on his offseason. The Mets first baseman held his first annual “Battle for the Bay” home run competition where youth baseball and softball participants from around the Tampa Bay area came to meet MLB players while supporting a good cause. Alonso grew up in the area and continues to do his charitable work back at home.

The 1st annual Pete Alonso “Battle for the Bay” home run competition was a GRANDSLAM💥‼️

Youth baseball & softball participants & @MLB Friends came through to support the amazing day! Congratulations to the champs! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/jw6g0LMAlr

— Play Ball (@PlayBall) January 17, 2023

Latest MLB News

ESPN‘s Alden González is reporting that if Los Angeles Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani  were to be available on the free agent market next season, he could be raking in a contract worth around half a billion (yes, with a B).

Free agent infielder and outfielder Brian Anderson is in agreement with the Milwaukee Brewers, according to The Athletic‘s Ken Rosenthal. The deal is currently pending a physical.

Heyman also is reporting some of the Boston Red Sox’s free agent interests, which include Duvall and Josh Harrison. With shortstop Trevor Story sidelined after having surgery, the Red Sox will also be looking into the shortstop market.

Philadelphia Phillies legend Jimmy Rollins talked with Heyman and Joel Sherman of the New York Post on their podcast and discussed his Hall of Fame eligibility and how confident he is in getting elected.

MLB also released some interesting rankings for a few positions, including who they believe is the top left fielder currently in the game. That honor went to Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez. MLB also released rankings for the top left-handed and right-handed pitchers prospects, with the Marlins having three of those top 20 pitchers. Other teams, like the Toronto Blue Jays,Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Guardians and Phillies each having two.

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Patrick Glynn discusses the press conference from yesterday and Eppler’s comments.

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