The free agency saga of Shohei Ohtani took many turns on Friday. It was first reported Friday morning by Jon Morosi of the New York Post that Ohtani’s free agency decision was “imminent.” J.P. Hoornstra of Dodgers Nation then reported that Ohtani made his decision and was signing with the Blue Jays. Morosi then claimed that Ohtani was en route to Toronto which prompted the entire baseball world to think that Ohtani was going to be a Blue Jay. However, these reports were debunked by several reporters, including Bob Nightengale and Jon Heyman, who claimed that Ohtani was not going to Toronto, but was rather home in southern California. He may or may not wind up a Blue Jay, but the reports by Hoornstra and Morosi appeared to be a bit premature. For MMO’s live reporting of this series of events, click here.

Morosi later apologized to the baseball community for reporting false information.

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On Friday, the Mets announced that they signed outfielder Taylor Kohlwey to a minor league deal. The 28-year-old Kohlwey was a career minor leaguer before making his major league debut this past season with the Padres, though he only saw 13 at-bats. He is a career .296/.387/.444 hitter at the Triple-A level.

MMO’s own Mike Mayer reported on a few coaching changes in the Mets’ minor league system. According to Mayer, A.J. Sager will be the pitching coach for Triple-A Syracuse. Sager spent last season as the pitching coach for Double-A Binghamton, and will be replacing Kyle Driscoll who has accepted a job as pitching coordinator in the Diamondbacks organization. Mayer also reported that Gilbert Gomez, a former Mets prospect, will manage High-A Brooklyn this year. He most recently served as the manager for Low-A St. Lucie.

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The Cardinals announced that they traded outfielder Tyler O’Neill to the Red Sox in exchange for pitchers Nick Robertson and Victor Santos. Jon Heyman of the New York Post was the first to report O’Neill being sent to Boston. O’Neill had a huge year in 2021 when he recorded a .912 OPS, but has struggled the past two seasons. He replaces Alex Verdugo in the Boston outfield and will hope a change of scenery can allow him to return to his 2021 form.

Jon Heyman also reported that the Giants signed Yoshi Tsutsugo, who spent part of the 2023 season in their minor league system.

Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that the Braves acquired infielder David Fletcher and catcher Max Stassi from the Angels in exchange for infielder Evan White and pitcher Tyler Thomas.

The Tigers signed catcher Anthony Bemboom to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training. Bemboom spent 2023 in the Orioles’ system and received 11 at-bats at the big league level.

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Brian Wright makes the case for Bobby Abreu to make the Hall of Fame. Abreu was a longtime Phillie but ended his playing career with the Mets.

The latest preview in MMO’s Mets Madness series features the 2016 Mets matched up against the 1988 Mets.

On This Date in Mets History

2000: Mike Hampton signed an eight-year, $121 million deal with the Colorado Rockies, just two months after helping the Mets reach the World Series. It was the largest contract in major league history at the time.

Birthdays: Geoff Hartlieb (30), Adam Wilk (36), Buddy Baumann (36), Fred Lewis (43), Jeff Duncan (45), Tony Tarasco (53), Mike Fyhrie (54), Juan Samuel (63), Bruce Boisclair (71), Doc Medich (75), Jerry Cram (76), Del Unser (79)

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Phil Regan has filed a lawsuit against claiming age discrimination the New York Mets, according to TMZ.

Regan was the interim pitching coach for the Mets in 2019, taking over for the fired Dave Eiland on June 20, 2019. Under Regan, the Mets’ pitching staff blossomed, improving their team ERA to 3.48 after recording a 4.88 ERA in the first half. Jacob deGrom won the Cy Young Award that season, too.

Regan claimed that he was not retained only because he was 82 at the time. He also alleged former general manager Brodie Van Waganen called him “too old” and said the team would hire him back in 2020 “if we don’t find the young pitching coach we are looking for.” The Mets hired Jeremy Hefner that offseason.

Since the Mets chose not to retain him, Regan has not been hired by another MLB team, though he served as a pitching coach in the Domincan Winter League during the following offseason.

Matthew Bilt, Regan’s attorney, spoke with TMZ about Regan and his ongoing situation. “Phil is the first to crack jokes about his age,” Blit said, “however there is nothing funny about a person being told that they are being passed over because their employer wants someone younger. That’s discrimination, plain and simple.”

“Phil debated doing this for many years,” Bilt added. “But the hurt from the conversation that he had with Mr. Van Wagenen continues to haunt him to this day. He can hear the exact words playing in his head over and over. Phil knew this had to be done.”

The 2019 season marked the end of a long career in the Mets organization for Regan. He was first employed by the Mets in 2009 as the St. Lucie Mets’ pitching coach and stayed there until 2015. From 2016-2019, Regan was the Mets’ minor league assistant pitching coach and interim Mets pitching coach. However, in 2021 (under new ownership and front office), the team’s media guide listed Regan as a “senior advisor of pitching development.” As of publishing, though, Regan is not listed on the team’s front office directory.Once Regan took over as pitching coach in 2019, he received high praise from the Mets starters.

In an interview with MMO in 2019, Noah Syndergaard spoke about the impact Regan had on the staff: “Phil does a great job of implementing new school methodologies with old school tendencies. … He’s really good mechanically, but he’s also embracing the analytics part of the game, like the hop measurement, and the spin rate, and all that.”

As of publishing, the Mets have not released a statement regarding Regan’s lawsuit.

The post Ex-Mets Pitching Coach Phil Filed Discrimination Lawsuit Against Team appeared first on Metsmerized.

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Mets fans, an all-new episode is here!

This week Mike and I are joined by new Mets Triple-A hitting coach, Collin Hetzler!

Collin discussed his time with Driveline Baseball and how he eventually landed with the Mets organization, players at the developmental levels to keep an eye on, the excitement to work with Francisco Alvarez and Brett Baty, the Jeff McNeil extension, and much more!

How has the Steve Cohen regime created such a strong minor league culture in only a couple of years? For Collin that answer is resources, which Cohen and company has made to feel unlimited:

“Absolutely, 100%. I’ve got a handful of friends who work for other teams and ask me about my experience with the Mets, and I tell them that it’s a great time to be a Met. We’ve got an owner who is a genuine fan and has given both the major and minor leagues unlimited resources, to where very often we’re not told no whenever we need something which gives us a clear competitive advantage compared to other teams in the league. It’s just a really good time to be a Met: whether it’s a player, coach, development, or anyone here…It’s exciting and only going to keep getting better.”

Watch and subscribe to the MMO Youtube channel here.

The post MMO Weekly Episode 33: Triple-A Hitting Coach Collin Hetzler appeared first on Metsmerized.

Mandatory Credit: MLB photos via USA TODAY Sports

The New York Mets have hired Eric Hinske as an assistant hitting coach, according to The Athletic‘s Ken Rosenthal. MMO has confirmed the report.

Hinske played 11 years in the majors and has been coaching since 2014.

Hinske has been a hitting coach since 2014 when he took on a position with the Chicago Cubs, a place he remained until 2017. Hinske then spent 2017 as the hitting coach of the Los Angeles Angels, where he was replaced after one season. His last job was in Arizona as the assistant hitting coach for the Diamondbacks from 2019 to June 2021.

The 2002 American League Rookie of the Year and three-time World Series champion now joins Buck Showalter‘s staff. He’ll work alongside Jeremy Barnes, who was promoted to hitting coach as Eric Chavez became the Mets bench coach.

Chavez’s promotion led to the opening of the position. In his first year as the Mets hitting coach, Chavez was praised for turning around the Mets offense. Part of that success was Barnes whose promotion may have been motivated by other teams looking into the Mets coach.

Last year’s bench coach Glenn Sherlock is transitioning to a different role on the Mets coaching staff, mainly one where he’ll work with catchers.

Hinske was looked at last season by the Yankees to replace the departure of Chavez. He was “well-liked” by the organization and was formerly a player and scout for them.

Coincidentally, Eppler was in the Yankees’ front office when they traded for Hinske and Jerry Hairston Jr. at the trade deadline in 2009.

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Good morning, Mets fans!

Former Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly and the Toronto Blue Jays are in serious talks on a deal that would make the him the club’s newest bench coach, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

Mattingly began managing the Marlins back in 2016 and led the National East team to one playoff appearance in his tenure with the team. The lone postseason appearance came in the Covid-19 shortened 2020 season where Miami claimed a Wild Card spot and finished second in their division. Prior to his time in Miami, Mattingly was the manager for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2011-15 seasons with three playoff appearances, all of which came in his final three years with the team.

Latest Mets News

Mike Puma of the New York Post is reporting that Craig Bjornson will not return as the Mets bullpen coach next season. Team officials and pitching coach Jeremy Hefner will be leading the interviewing process staring this week. The role would also include the assistant pitching coach position.

Latest MLB News

The Cincinnati Reds announced a slew of coaching staff changes, including the hiring of former New York Mets minor league hitting coordinator Tim LaMonte as their assistant hitting and integrated performance coach. Former Mets outfielder Collin Cowgill will also join the Reds coaching staff as the team’s first base coach after managing the Seattle Mariners’ Double-A affiliate team.

The Dodgers and free-agent right-hander Shelby Miller have reached an agreement, pending a physical, that would bring the pitcher to Los Angeles, according to The Athletic‘s Ken Rosenthal. Miller signed a minor league deal with the New York Yankees last year and pitched for their Triple-A team before being released by the team in late May. The San Francisco Giants then signed him to a minor league deal where he pitched for their Triple-A team. He made four relief appearances with a 0-1 record with the Giants, holding a 6.43 ERA and striking out 14 batters over seven innings.

The Washington Nationals and outfielder Stone Garrett agreed on a deal to bring him to the nation’s capital, according to Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post. Garrett bounced in between appearances with the Arizona Diamondbacks and their Triple-A team, playing in 27 games and hitting for a .276 average in that span. The Nats also signed former Detroit Tigers third baseman Jeimer Candelario to a one-year, $5 million contract, according to Evan Petzold of Detroit Free Press. Candelario played for Detroit for the last five seasons and holding a .243 batting average over that span.

Houston Astros owner Jim Crane says he doesn’t expect to hire a general manager before January, but will have one before spring training, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright and Yankees starting pitcher Nestor Cortes are joining the Team USA roster for the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Wainwright was 11-12 this season with a 3.71 ERA and Cortes was 12-4 this season with a 2.44 ERA.

Variety is reporting Disney now owns 100% of BAMTech Streaming Division, the streaming services group that powers Disney+ and the media company’s other direct-to-consumer services, after buying out MLB’s remaining 15% for $900 million. Disney originally invested $1 billion into BAMTech back in 2016 for 33% stake in the company before buying out the rest of it a year later for over $1.5 billion. Disney also bought out the NHL’s remain stake in the company in August of last year.

Latest on MMO

Mathew Brownstein sat down with former Mets pitcher and 1986 World Series Champ Bobby Ojeda to discuss his time with the team and pitching in the league.

On This Date in Mets History

2007: The Mets traded Lastings Milledge to the Nationals for Ryan Church and Brian Schneider.

2012: David Wright signed what was, at the time, the biggest contract in Mets history, taking on an eight-year, $138 million deal.

Birthdays: Matt Lawton (51), Juan Berenguer (68), Craig Swan (72)

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Ed Delaney, MMO

Good morning, Mets fans!

The Mets announced a few shakeups to their coaching staff, according to the NY Post‘s Jon Heyman.

Eric Chavez has been promoted to bench coach while assistant hitting coach Jeremy Barnes will take over as the primary hitting coach. Former bench coach Glenn Sherlock will work as a catching coach with goals to help limit the opposing running game.

Latest Mets News

The coaching staff shakeup was the primary Mets news from Monday.

Latest MLB News

Future Hall of Famer Miguel Cabrera announced he will retire from playing baseball after the 2023 season. The 12-time All-Star is entering the last year of the eight-year, $250 million contract extension he signed with the Tigers in 2015. Cabrera said that he isn’t stepping away entirely from the sport, saying he wants to help the younger players in the Tigers’ organization.

Originally signed by the Marlins out of Venezuela as a 16-year-old, Cabrera was a World Series champion as a rookie in 2003 and made four All-Star Games for Florida before being shipped to Detroit with Dontrelle Willis after the 2007 season. During Cabrera’s 15-year run in the Motor City, he’s won four batting titles, two MVPs, and a Triple Crown. In 2021, Cabrera eclipsed the 500-home run plateau, and he recorded the 3000th hit of his career this past April.

The Astros signed longtime White Sox first baseman José Abreu to a three-year contract worth $58.5 million. The three-time All-Star batted .304/.378/.446 with 15 homers, 40 doubles, and 75 RBIs in 679 plate appearances in 2022. The Marlins were also in on Abreu before he signed with Houston.

The MLBPA has voted on a new executive subcommittee. Francisco Lindor and Marcus Semien are holdovers, while Jack Flaherty, Ian Happ, Lucas Giolito, Lance McCullers Jr., Austin Slater, and Brent Suter are the new members. Max Scherzer, Andrew Miller, Starlin Castro, Zack Britton, James Paxton, and Gerrit Cole are no longer part of the subcommittee.

The Cubs have hired baseball scientist Mike Sonne to work for their research and development department after the season. Meghan Montemurro profiles Sonne for the Chicago Tribune.

The Nationals are hiring this winter for 18 new positions they’ve created. Some of these roles are aimed at better processing and analyzing data.

The Dodgers reportedly met with reigning Cy Young award winner Justin Verlander yesterday. They would be interested in a short-term, high AAV contract. Both New York teams are also interested in the 39-year-old.

The 16-member Contemporary Baseball Era committee was revealed, and they will be tasked with voting in players to the Hall of Fame next month. The committee features Hall of Famers Chipper Jones, Frank Thomas, Jack Morris, Ryne Sandberg, Lee Smith, and Greg Maddux, MLB executives Paul Beeston, Kim Ng, Arte Moreno, Theo Epstein, Dave St. Peter, and Ken Williams, and media members and historians Susan Slusser, LaVelle Neal, and Steve Hirdt.

Free agent outfielder Michael Conforto is engaged in both hitting and throwing programs. The longtime Met sat out the 2022 season after undergoing shoulder surgery.

The Mariners have signed free agent righty Trevor Gott. The 30-year-old was non-tendered by the Brewers after pitching to a 4.14 ERA in 45 games for them.

Latest on MMO

Nate Mendelson looks at how Ronny Mauricio has performed in LIDOM while he plays third base for the first time in his career.

On This Date in Mets History

1966: The Mets acquire two-time batting champion Tommy Davis along with outfielder Darrell Griffith for outfielder Jim Hickman and two-time All-Star infielder Ron Hunt. A Brooklyn native, Davis would be productive for the Mets in 1967 before being shipped to the White Sox.

1994: The Mets send infielder Quilvio Veras to the Marlins for former first-round pick Carl Everett. The young outfielder is a product of Hillsborough High School, the same school that produced Dwight Gooden.

2021: After a day of rumors, the Mets agree to a three-year contract with three-time Cy Young award winner Max Scherzer. The deal is worth $130 million, giving Scherzer the highest average annual value in history.

Birthdays: Rick Anderson (66), Howard Johnson (62), Pedro Martínez (54)

The post Morning Briefing: Mets Promote Eric Chavez to Bench Coach appeared first on Metsmerized.

The Mets are finalizing a deal with Jeremy Hefner to keep him in Queens for at least the next season, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post.

Hefner, who is 36 years old, joined the Mets coaching staff in the 2019 offseason to replace interim pitching coach Phil Regan.

Puma reports that the deal will keep Hefner in Queens for at least 2023 and potentially beyond. He also said the Mets have improved and will continue to improve compensation for coaches. Under the previous ownership regime, the Mets were reportedly notorious for paying coaches under market value. Puma says Billy Eppler has received assurance from owner Steve Cohen the team won’t lose any coaches due to compensation.

During his tenure in Queens, Hefner has dealt with a rotation plagued with injury. Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer have missed significant time under Hefner, as did Noah Syndergaard for two full seasons. Carlos Carrasco started his tenure with his share of ailments, too. That’s just the starters.

Even with the injuries, the Mets’ pitching staff finished seventh in MLB in 2022 with a 3.62 ERA. Since 2019, the Mets staff ERA is 10th in baseball, and fifth in FIP. He’s also credited in part with improvements from the likes of Trevor Williams, David Peterson and Edwin Diaz.

The Mets and Hefner have built a strong relationship since he joined the organization in 2019. The club had multiple opportunities to move on from Hefner and decided to keep him. Steve Cohen kept him when taking over the team, and Sandy Alderson decided to pick up his option going into the 2022 season. It has been reported by many that Buck Showalter and Hefner have created a strong working bond as well. Puma says Showalter respects Hefner’s ability to translate analytics to the staff.

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