Good morning, Mets fans!

On Wednesday, Boston Red Sox and Rafael Devers agreed on an 11-year, $331 million deal. Former MLB player Carlos Baerga reported the news on his Instagram. The one-year, $17.5 million contract that Devers previously signed this free agency to avoid arbitration will be superseded by the extension. In 2022, Devers had a hitting slash of .295/.358/.521 with 27 home runs and 88 RBIs. It is possible that frustrations over losing Xander Bogaerts to the Padres in free agency prompted the Red Sox to give such a large offer to keep Rafael Devers. Christian de Block has more on the story.

Now, it is time for the morning briefing.

Latest Mets News

Will Sammon of The Athletic reports that Drew Toussaint will be the Mets’ amateur scouting director. A member of the Mets’ scouting department for several years, Toussaint was most recently the club’s assistant director of amateur and international scouting. Michael Mayer also reports that Dick Scott is going to be the Triple-A Syracuse Mets manager for 2023. Scott served as the Mets coordinator of coaching development and instruction the last two years. He was also the Mets bench coach in 2016 and 2017. Ross Bentley has more information on these stories.

Michael Mayer reports that on Jan. 7 at 2 p.m., Steve Cohen invites all New Yorkers to a community visioning session at Citi Field to discuss the future of the 50 acres of asphalt around the stadium. You can RSVP at this link.

Michael Mayer also reports that Dick Scott is going to be the Triple-A Syracuse Mets manager for 2023. Scott served as the Mets’ coordinator of coaching development and instruction the last two years. He was also the Mets bench coach in 2016 and 2017.

Wayne Randazzo was recently hired as the play-by-play commentator for the Los Angeles Angels. He released a farewell statement regarding his time with the Mets.

Bryan Kalbrosky of ForTheWin interviewed Mets HOF catcher Mike Piazza.

Latest MLB News

Robert Murray of FanSided reports that free agent outfielder Roman Quinn in agreement on a minor league contract with the Cleveland Guardians. Quinn, who spent last season with the Phillies and Rays, gets an invite to spring training. The Guardians have also signed RHP Touki Toussaint, C Cam Gallagher, RHP Michael Kelly to minor league deals that include spring training invites, according to Zack Meisel of the Athletic.

Daniel Kim of ESPN reports that the KBO announced their 30-man roster for the World Baseball Classic. As expected, big leaguers Ha-Seong Kim, Tommy Edman and Ji-Man Choi all made the team and will be representing Korea.

Latest on MMO

On this Date in Mets History

The post Morning Briefing: Red Sox Give Rafael Devers Huge Extension appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Mets took on the Marlins on Wednesday night at Citi Field looking to salvage the second game of the two-game series. Taijuan Walker took the ball for the Mets looking for his fifth win against Miami on the season. Despite falling behind 4-0, the Mets put together a late comeback behind a huge day from Eduardo Escobar to take the finale from the Marlins 5-4.

After a scoreless first inning from Walker, Francisco Lindor blooped a base hit into left field in the bottom half of the inning to extend his hitting streak to 13 games. The Mets were unable to get Lindor in from first base, and they struggled to get much offense going against Jesús Luzardo for most of the night.

While the Mets’ bats failed to produce, Walker had a strong start to his night. Through three innings, he allowed just one hit while striking out four Marlins hitters.

Walker and Luzardo matched zeroes until the Marlins broke the ice in the top of the fourth inning. Charles Leblanc led off the inning with a double down the left field line, and Walker retired the next two hitters without allowing him to advance. Walker nearly made it out of the inning unscathed, but the red hot Bryan De La Cruz turned on a two-strike fastball and put it over the center field fence to give the Marlins a 2-0 lead.

In the fifth inning, Walker found himself in trouble again. Jacob Stallings and Lewin Diaz both hit singles, and Leblanc drew a two-out walk to load the bases for Brian Anderson. Anderson worked the count full, but Walker struck him out with a perfect down-and-in splitter to strand the bases loaded and keep the deficit and just two runs.

Buck Showalter chose to reward Walker and let him start the sixth inning, but the decision backfired on Buck and the Mets quickly. Nick Fortes drew a leadoff walk, bringing De La Cruz up with for a third at-bat against Walker. With Seth Lugo seemingly ready to go in the bullpen, De La Cruz doubled for his third hit of the night and put an end to Walker’s night.

Lugo entered the game with runners on second and third and nobody out. He got ahead of JJ Bleday 0-2, but Bleday was able to hit a fly ball deep enough to left field to bring in a run an extend the Marlins’ lead to 3-0 on a sacrifice fly. Despite allowing the run to score, Lugo retired all three batters he faced in the inning and finished the inning with just the lone run scoring.

It appeared Lugo would make quick work of the Marlins in the seventh inning after he retired the first two batters, but he lost the strike zone and walked Leblanc before Anderson doubled into the gap in left-center to make it a four-run lead for Miami.

The Mets’ bats were lifeless in the first six innings against Luzardo. They were unable to score and hit just two singles against the Marlins’ young southpaw. In the seventh, they finally got on the board.

Jeff McNeil started the inning with with second base hit of the night, raising his batting average to .321. Escobar followed with his 20th home run of the season to cut the Marlins’ lead in half. The home run put the Mets right back into the game and sent the Marlins into their bullpen.

Here’s the Escobar shot. Desperately needed for the #Mets.

New York still has work to do, down two.

4-2 Marlins, bottom 7. pic.twitter.com/UQv7nq6hNe

— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) September 29, 2022

After a scoreless eighth inning from Adam Ottavino, the Mets threatened again in the bottom half of the inning. Brandon Nimmo and Pete Alonso drew back-to-back walks to start the inning and put the tying run on base with nobody out. After the two walks, Lindor swung at a first pitch slider and hit a mile-high fly ball to center field for the first out. Mark Canha drew the third walk of the inning and loaded the bases for McNeil, but like Lindor, he hit a shallow fly ball on the first pitch.

With the game likely on the line with the Mets down to their final four outs, Escobar came through again with another big hit. His bases loaded single to right field drove in two runs and got the Mets even. Mark Vientos came up with a chance to give the Mets the lead, but the rookie struck out with runners on the corners to retire the side with the game still tied.

Clutch, Eduardo Escobar has all four #Mets RBIs tonight.

4-4, bottom 8. pic.twitter.com/CCrg2Zg5A3

— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) September 29, 2022

Edwin Díaz entered for the second consecutive day in the top of the ninth inning, and for the second consecutive day, he was untouchable. After striking out three in his inning of work in the first game of the series, the Mets’ closer struck out the side in order on just 13 pitches to give the Mets a chance to win in the bottom of the ninth.

With one out in the ninth, Tomás Nido hit a long fly ball off the top of the wall in center field for a double to put the winning run in scoring position. Terrance Gore pinch ran for Nido before Nimmo drew a walk. With the winning run in scoring position, the Mets had a golden opportunity to win the game with Alonso and Lindor due up, but the Mets’ two stars were unable to get the job done. Alonso chased a 3-2 slider out of the zone for his fourth strike out of the night, and Lindor popped up on the infield to send the game to extras.

Drew Smith took the ball for the Mets in the top of the 10th and did a terrific job of keeping the free runner from scoring. He retired all three hitters with two strikeouts, and didn’t allow Jon Berti to move from second base.

In the bottom of the 10th, Escobar once again came up with a chance to produce. Canha flew out and McNeil was intentionally walked to bring Escobar up with a chance to win the game, and for the third time, he came up big. He singled against the shift to bring in Lindor with the game winning run to give the Mets a 5-4 win and a one game lead in the N.L. East race.

Eduardo Escobar wins it for the #Mets.

Every run the #Mets scored tonight was via Escobar. Just a terrific night, a terrific month. #Mets now own a full game lead in the NL East.pic.twitter.com/7gvYq2LDKu

— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) September 29, 2022

Player of the Game: Eduardo Escobar

Escobar may have struggled to find a groove for a majority of the season, but the Mets’ third baseman continued his incredible September in Wednesday’s win over Miami. Escobar went 3-for-5 with a home run and drove in all five Mets runs. Escobar is hitting .330 with eight home runs and 24 RBIs in September, and he almost single-handedly generated Wednesday’s comeback win.

On Deck

After a day off on Thursday, the Mets will start their biggest series of the season on Friday when they take on the Atlanta Braves at 7:20 p.m. ET at Truist Park. Jacob deGrom (5-3, 2.93 ERA) will start the opener for the Mets against Max Fried (13-7, 2.50 ERA) for the Braves.

DeGrom has faced the Braves twice in 2022, and is 1-1 in those starts. In 12 1/3 innings against Atlanta, deGrom has allowed five runs on six hits will striking out 21 batters.

Fried has made four starts against the Mets in 2022, and he has allowed two earned runs in all four starts. He went 2-2 against the Mets and pitched to a 3.00 ERA over 24 innings.

The Mets need just one win in the series with Atlanta to clinch the tiebreaker in the division race.

The game will be broadcast on SNY, and the radio call will be on WCBS 880.

The post Escobar’s Huge Night Sparks Mets’ 5-4 Walk-Off Win appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Mets (93-55) entered Sunday afternoon at Citi Field looking for the four-game sweep over the Pittsburgh Pirates (55-92). With their ace, Jacob deGrom on the mound, the Mets relied on a four-run eighth inning to clinch the desired four-game sweep via a 7-3 victory. The offense, thanks to the eighth inning explosion, was able to compile 12 hits. Meanwhile, Mets’ pitchers combined to tie the major-league record for the most strikeouts in a nine-inning game (20). An all-around terrific effort.

The Mets struck first right out of the gate. During a Brandon Nimmo infield single, the ball was tossed into the dugout allowing Nimmo to reach second. He then came home after a Jeff McNeil RBI single. In the same frame, Pete Alonso was hit by a pitch. That was the fifth time a Met was hit by a pitch in the past game plus. Alonso let Oviedo know that he was not happy and the benches cleared briefly. Order was restored and the Mets led 1-0 after the first inning.

Mets-Pirates Benches clearing… pic.twitter.com/ZgHQLWB2hp

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 18, 2022

New York struck for two more in the second inning. The bases were loaded thanks to singles by Nimmo and Tomás Nido, Luis Guillorme also walked. Following that, McNeil then drew a walk of his own, Oviedo’s third of the game, and Alonso grounded into a fielder’s choice. When it was all said and done, the Mets pushed across two more runs and led 3-0 after two innings.

Jacob deGrom was sensational for the game’s first five innings. He tallied 13 strikeouts and only allowed one hit through these five frames. Unfortunately, when he was closing in on the 100-pitch mark in the sixth inning, he tired. After two singles, Oneil Cruz took him deep. This not only tied the game at three, but it also ended deGrom’s now so-so looking outing. His final line: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 13 SO. He threw 101 pitches.

Though, despite the blemish to his afternoon, deGrom was able to set another major-league record. Sunday’s outing was the 40th straight in which he allowed three runs or less (record dating back to 1913, when earned runs became an official statistic).

Mandatory Credit: Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports

Joely Rodríguez entered in the seventh and pitched two tremendous innings to keep the ballgame tied. He threw 25 pitches and struck out five of the six hitters he faced. Just a superb outing for the left-handed reliever who has posted five scoreless outings in his last six appearances.

The game was a 3-3 stalemate until the bottom of the eighth inning. Nido singled to center and was pinch ran for with Terrance Gore. Gore used his electrifying speed to do what he does best, make things happen on the base paths. He stole second and went to third base on an errant throw. Nimmo then drove him home via a single to the outfield.

Daniel Vogelbach singled later in the inning with the bases loaded to bring home two more runs. Then, Eduardo Escobar grounded into a fielder’s choice to score the Mets’ seventh and final run of the game. Trevor May came in the ninth with a 7-3 lead and pitched a scoreless frame.

Worth noting, the Mets struck out 20 Pirates’ hitters in the game, this tied the major-league record (nine-inning game). Terrific performances by the offense and the pitching to help the Mets clinch a four-game sweep.

Despite the win, the Mets’ division lead still stands at a single game. That due to the Atlanta Braves completing their own sweep, three games, over the Philadelphia Phillies earlier this afternoon. Atlanta welcomes in Washington for a three-game set next.

Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Player of the Game: Brandon Nimmo

Nimmo has been walking a ton recently, as he saw his on-base percentage climb to .358. In Sunday afternoon’s game, he did way more than just walk, as he had three hits and delivered the go-ahead run in the eighth inning. In total, he went 3-for-5 with two runs and a RBI.

Others that deserve some recognition are Rodríguez (2.0 IP, 5 SO), McNeil (2-for-2, 2 RBI), and Vogelbach (2-for-4, 2 RBI). There were several different key contributors in the victory.

On Deck

Next up for the Mets is one of their two remaining opponents that have a record above .500, the Milwaukee Brewers (78-68). Game one of three, at American Family Field, is slated for a 7:40 P.M. ET first pitch Monday night. The probable pitching matchup is a terrific one, as Max Scherzer faces off against Corbin Burnes.

The post Mets Win 7-3, Clinch Four-Game Sweep Over Pittsburgh appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Photo by Ed Delany of MMO

AAA (Game 1: Scranton (3-0) 7, Syracuse Mets (0-3) 6 Box Score

• Carlos Cortes LF: 1-for-4, 2 R, BB, K
• Daniel Palka 1B: 1-for-3, HR, 3 RBI, BB, K
• Quinn Brodey CF: 1-for-2, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 3 SB

Syracuse was able to overcome some sloppy defensive play (three errors) to force extra innings but ultimately dropped a third-straight game to the RailRiders. After falling behind 4-1 early, Daniel Palka tied the game with a three-run bomb in the fifth.

Quinn Brodey was the star for the Mets, stealing three bases before tyng the game again with a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning.  Brodey, a third-round pick in 2017, slashed .174/.255/.285 last season with 14 steals, mainly between AA and AAA.

• RHP Eric Orze (L, 0-1, 0.00 ERA) 1.0 IP, H, BB, K
• RHP Stephen Nogosek (0-0, 2.70 ERA) 2.0 IP, ER, H, 4 K
• RHP Cole Gordon (0-0, 9.00 ERA) 2.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 H,  2 BB, K

Gordon made his AAA debut in the start for Syracuse, coming off a solid season with Binghamton where he recorded a 3.69 ERA and 1.01 WHIP. However, he struggled with his command early on Friday, before being victimized by a two-run Greg Bird home run. Nogosek looked sharp, working out of a bases-loaded/no-out jam by striking out Oswald Peraza and Estevan Florial.  Orze was tagged with the loss, allowing an unearned run in the top of the 8th.

AAA (Game Two): Scranton (4-0) 10, Syracuse Mets (0-4) 1 Box Score

• Carlos Rincon 1B: 1-for-3, 2 K
• Daniel Palka RF: 1-for-2, 2B, BB
• Mark Vientos 3B: 1-for-2, 2B, K

The Mets dropped their fourth-consecutive game to the RailRiders to open the year after getting blown out in the second game of a doubleheader.  However, Rincon and Palka have gotten off to solid starts; Rincon is 5-for-14 to begin the year, while Palka is 2-for-5 with a double and home run. Vientos, the Mets’ highest-ranked prospect in AAA, recorded his first extra-base hit of the year with a double in the seventh inning.

• RHP Jose Rodriguez (L, 0-1, 18.90 ERA) 3.1 IP, 7 ER, 6 H, 3 BB, 4 K
• RHP Yoan Lopez (0-0, 21.60 ERA) 1.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, BB, 3 K
• LHP Alex Claudio (0-0, 0.00 ERA) 1.1 IP, 2 H, BB

Mets pitching had no answers for the RailRiders. Starter Jose Rodriguez was crushed for seven runs, allowing three home runs in only 3 1/3 innings. Yoan Lopez, claimed off waivers from the Marlins on the eve of the season, couldn’t stop the bleeding in relief, allowing a home run to noted Mets-killer Ender Inciarte.

Veterans Claudio and R.J. Alvarez both contended with some traffic but were able to hold Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to one unearned run over the final 2 1/3 innings.

AA: Binghamton (1-0) 8, Hartford (0-1) 2 Box Score

• Francisco Alvarez C: 3-for-5, HR, 2 2B, 3 RBI, K
• Brett Baty 3B: 2-for-5, HR, 2B, 2 R, RBI
• Ronny Mauricio SS: 2-for-5, RBI, 2 K, CS

You couldn’t have asked for a better way for the Rumble Ponies to open the season, racking up eight extra-base hits in the victory   The Mets’ top three prospects went a combined 7-for-15 with a pair of home runs and five RBIs.  Baty opened the scoring for Binghamton, with a solo home run in the first.

Alvy clears them all⚾️💣!

Mets Top Prospect Francisco Alvarez hits a 3-Run HR and extends the @RumblePoniesBB led to 6-0 over the @GoYardGoats!#LetsRumble pic.twitter.com/GzhbA9cmg1

— Binghamton Rumble Ponies (@RumblePoniesBB) April 9, 2022

Alvarez had a huge night in his AA debut, coming off of his breakthrough 2021 season where he slashed .272/.388/.544 with 22 home runs between A/A+.  Mauricio is also looking to build off a strong finish to 2021, going 10-for-31 in eight games with the Rumble Ponies.

• RHP Jose Butto (0-0, 0.00 ERA) 4.0 IP, 3 H, 8 K
• RHP Yeizo Campos (W, 1-0, 0.00 ERA) 2.0 IP, BB, 3 K
• RHP Bryce Montes de Oca (0-0, 0.00 ERA) 1.0 IP, 2 BB, 2 K

Butto, the Mets’ 11th ranked prospect, got the ball on opening day and was dominant.  Signed out of Venezuela in 2017, Butto posted a 3.83 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 10.03 K/9 between A+ and AA last season.  He’s certainly going to be a name to watch in Binghamton.

The 6’7″, 265 lb Montes de Oca closed out the game, striking out a pair of Yard Goats on 100 mph fastballs. Control will be the biggest question for the big right-hander, who walked 7.15 through nine while pitching mostly for Brooklyn in 2021.

Stanley Consuegra, Photo by Ed Delany of MMO

A: St. Lucie Mets (1-0) 9, Daytona Tortugas (0-1) 6 Box Score

• Alex Ramirez CF: 3-for-5, R, RBI, K
• Stanley Consuegra RF: 2-for-4, R, K
• Shervyen Newton SS: 2-for-3, RBI, 2B, BB

It was a nice opener in St. Lucie as well, as the Mets’ offense came out of the gate strong in Daytona. Ramirez, the Mets’ most exciting prospect in low-A, opened the year with a multi-hit game after he slashed .258/.326/.384 in his first professional season. Consuegra was also impressive in his debut for St. Lucie after posting a .270/.325/.500 line in the Gulf Coast League. Newton has seen his status as a prospect fade after a few lackluster seasons in low-A, so it’s nice to see a positive opener from the switch-hitting shortstop.

• LHP Keyshawn Askew (0-0, 0.00 ERA) 3.0 IP, R, 4 H, 2 BB, 4 K
• LHP Nick Zwack (W, 1-0, 9.00 ERA) 3.0 IP, 4 R, 3 ER, 7 K
• RHP Grant Hartwig (H, 0-0, 0.00 ERA) 2.0 IP, 4 K

Askew, a 10th round pick out of Clemson in 2021, worked around some traffic to hold Daytona to just one unearned run in his St. Lucie debut. Zwack’s performance was a mixed bag, as he did allow three earned runs over three innings, but struck out seven while earning the win and hitting up to 94 mph. Hartwig, signed as a minor-league free agent in 2021, was the most impressive Mets pitcher on Friday, striking out four over two perfect innings.

The post Mets Minors Recap: Francisco Álvarez Has Huge Night in Double-A Debut appeared first on Metsmerized Online.