Houser, who was acquired by the Brewers in 2015 for Carlos Gómez, has been a utility arm during his time in Milwaukee. He has spent time in the rotation and the bullpen, but has logged 21 starts in back-to-back years. Houser registered a 4.12 ERA in 111 1/3 innings in 2023.

Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Along with Houser, the Mets also received Taylor. The righthander spent his tenure with the Brewers as a backup outfielder, registering a career 102 OPS+ while clubbing 41 homers in 331 games. While he has pop, Taylor is more of a defense-first outfielder. He finished last season with two outs above average and in the 85th percentile for arm strength.

In the deal, the Mets sent the Brewers Crow. The Mets’ 29th overall prospect was acquired last season from the Angels in June in exchange for Eduardo Escobar. Crow registered a 1.88 ERA in four Double-A starts before injuring his elbow and missing the entire minor league season while in the Mets system. Crow, who had Tommy John surgery in August, will likely miss the entire 2024 season.

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On Tuesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic speculated on his podcast “Fair Territory” that the bidding for Shohei Ohtani would ultimately come down to the Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers. Noting that he could not see Steve Cohen “simply passing” on bidding on Ohtani this offseason.  Rosenthal also included the Texas Rangers, San Francisco Giants, and Seattle Mariners as teams who may enter the mix for Ohtani, but he noted that he felt the bidding ultimately would come down to LA vs. New York for the likely 2023 AL MVP.

Update 9/18

Mets owner Steve Cohen is expected to make the biggest offer for Ohtani, John Harper of SNY reported on Monday. This is even with the caveats that Ohtani might not pitch in 2024 and that the Mets might not be going all-in as a team next season.

According to Harper, though,  a rival team executive said the Mets’ thinking on that might change if Ohtani says he’ll come to New York.

“I can’t even imagine what the payroll would be in that case, since they’re still paying off the (Max) Scherzer and (Justin) Verlander contracts, but Cohen is obviously willing to do whatever it takes,” the executive said, per Harper.

Cody Bellinger is another name in the conversation as the Mets look to improve their offense. With Ohtani as the main attraction and Bellinger as a worthy back-up option, a team executive believes the Mets will “slow-play it” next season if they miss out on both players. Regardless, a priority will be continuing the develop the team’s next young core. But with Cohen in the owner’s chair and new president of baseball operations David Stearns taking over, it’s too early to rule out a big splash like Ohtani or Bellinger.

Original Article

Los Angeles Angels two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani is set to enter free agency after the 2023 season wraps up. His impending free agency has drummed up many questions about what will motivate Ohtani’s decision, including factors such as geography and winning. In an article by Jim Bowden of The Athletic, the former GM talked with executives across the league to get the pulse on the Ohtani Market.

Before the news of Ohtani having a tear in his UCL, there had been reports circulating all season about how much he would fetch in the open market, with some venturing a number over $700 million. While talking with said MLB executives, Bowden relayed that the majority think he will get a contract (value-wise) in the same ballpark as Yankees’ slugger Aaron Judge, who received a $360 million deal this past offseason, with the possibility of escalators into the $500-600 million range. However, it was noted that when talking with executives from larger markets, that $500 million would be the floor even with injury concerns. The Japanese superstar brings in so much global appeal that he would bring great financial value to a franchise, and it still is worth taking a risk on him returning to his prior pitching status.

Photo by Roberto Carlo

While the number that Ohtani will demand in free agency will play a big part in where he lands, geography has been a big player in the forecasting of where the former MVP will go. When Shohei originally came to the MLB, there were reports that the Angels main leg up was Ohtani’s want to play for a West Coast team. Despite that, this time around, it seems as though winning is at the forefront of his mind, as an industry source tells Bowden, “Although he prefers the West Coast, the potential to win championships will be given more weight than geography.” While the article mentions that Ohtani may still prefer the West Coast, his want to win opens up the board for big-spending teams like the Mets, Yankees, and Cardinals.

Bowden wrapped up the article by ranking the ten most likely landing spots for the biggest free agent in MLB history, where he slotted the New York Mets at number four. Only trailing the Dodgers, Rangers, and Mariners, the former GM’s reasoning had a lot to do with Steve Cohen’s wallet. Billy Eppler, who originally brought Ohtani to Los Angeles, could also play a role in recruiting him to New York, as they have kept in contact since Eppler left the Angels. 

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David Stearns.

Stearns is apparently “down the road” in his discussions with Steve Cohen and the Mets regarding their vacant President of Baseball operations positions, according to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic.

Stearns became the general manager of the Milwaukee Brewers in 2015. In that time, he brought the Brewers to the postseason five times and acquired players such as Freddy Peralta, Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, Christian Yelich, and Jackson Chourio via trades, drafts, and free agency. He was promoted to the president of baseball operations in 2019.

Stearns’ contract with the Brewers allowed him to speak with other major league teams after the August 1 deadline. He’s been in an advisory role with the Brewers since stepping back from front-office duties this winter. While it was reported that he is down the line with the Mets, the other organization that Stearns is connected to is the Houston Astros.

While the Mets have been the favorites, the Astros are a dark horse that could sign Stearns. He previously worked for both the Mets and Astros before settling in Milwaukee, and his wife is from Houston.

New York, however, may have the edge over Houston for several reasons. Stearns grew up a huge Mets fan and is from the New York City area. The Mets also just fired four directors from their front office, leaving Stearns with complete freedom to run the organization from top to bottom.

Meanwhile, it was reported by The Athletic that Dana Brown, the current GM of the Astros, agreed to his position because there was no president of baseball operations, explaining it was easier to deal with the owner directly.

Stearns, Billy Eppler, and Cohen all declined a comment from the Athletic regarding Stearns. His friends, however, reported to Rosenthal and Sammon that Stearns was “re-energized” and ready to return to a leadership position with a major league club. According to Andy Martino of SNY, the Mets will maintain Eppler as the general manager if Stearns becomes the president of baseball operations.

The push for Stearns has been persistent and seems almost inevitable. Cohen has publicly spoken about adding a president of baseball operations since buying the team and has conveniently held out until 2023 when Stearns becomes a free agent.

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Carlos Carrasco has cleared waivers and will remain with the Mets. Carrasco will be a free agent at the end of what has been a dismal season for the veteran right-handed pitcher.

Here are where the other players on waivers landed:

• RHP Lucas Giolito – Guardians
• RHP Reynaldo Lopez – Guardians
• LHP Matt Moore – Guardians
• OF Harrison Bader – Reds
• OF Hunter Renfroe – Reds

Right-hander Dominic Leone was claimed off waivers by the Mariners from the Angels. The Mets received top 30 prospect Jeremiah Jackson from the Angels at the deadline for Jackson. Outfielder Randal Grichuk and right-handed pitcher Mike Clevinger went unclaimed.

Original Post – Aug. 29, 19:20

The New York Mets have placed Carlos Carrasco on waivers, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported.

If claimed, all money owed to Carrasco through the rest of his contract would transfer to his new team. If he goes unclaimed, the Mets would keep him. Of course, the Mets could also end up just releasing him, and placing him on waivers could be a sign that the team is officially ready to move on. But passing through waivers does not automatically result in a release.

Carlos Carrasco. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

He is a free agent at the end of the season.

If Carrasco is claimed or released, it could possibly open the door for top prospect Mike Vasil, who has 56 1/3 innings at Triple-A this year, to make his MLB debut. Joey Lucchesi, who has a 3.54 ERA in six MLB starts this season, would probably be the more likely candidate to fill the spot in the rotation.

Carrasco has been with the Mets since the 2021 season, arriving in the trade that also sent Francisco Lindor to Queens. He suffered a hamstring injury before the 2021 season that pushed his Mets debut back to the end of July, and struggled when he finally made it onto the mound. In 12 starts over the season’s final two months, Carrasco had a 6.04 ERA — including an infamous 13.50 ERA in the first inning.

The 2022 season was a bounce-back for Carrasco. While he never quite returned to the pitcher he was when he was with Cleveland, he still ultimately had a successful year at the back end of the Mets rotation. Over 29 starts and 152 innings, Carrasco had a 3.97 ERA and 97 ERA+, just a little bit below average. As the No. 5 starter when everyone was healthy though (which wasn’t often), it was fine.

The 2023 season for Carrasco has been almost symbolic of the Mets season as a whole — a disaster. He’s made 20 starts and pitched just 90 innings, putting up a 6.80 ERA over those frames, and it has been worse as of late too. Carrasco threw eight scoreless innings in Arizona on July 6, and since then has 10.24 ERA over eight starts while averaging under four innings per outing.

The Angels Release… Everyone

The Carrasco news came shortly following Jeff Passan of ESPN reporting the Los Angeles Angels placed Lucas Giolito, Matt Moore, Reynaldo López, Hunter Renfroe and Randal Grichuk all on waivers. Giolito, López and Grichuk were all traded to the Angels just one month ago at the trade deadline.

Passan reported it is a salary dump move for the Angels.

The team put Dominic Leone, who the Mets traded to the Angels for prospect Jerimiah Jackson, who has a 110 wRC+ in Double-A so far.

The Mets previously traded Eduardo Escobar to the Angels for minor league pitchers Coleman Crow and Landon Marceaux in June. Crow and Jackson are both currently on the Mets Top 30 prospect list on MLB Pipeline. 

The Angels, who bought aggressively at the deadline, appear to have given up on competing in 2023. Shohei Ohtani is a free agent at the end of the season. If he leaves this offseason, the Angels will not have made the playoffs in Ohtani’s entire tenure with the organization.

Rosenthal’s report also listed Harrison Bader (Yankees), Mike Clevinger (White Sox) and José Cisnero (Tigers) as players who have also been placed on waivers.

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Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Mets have concerns with Carlos Correa‘s physical, according to Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic.

It has been quite an eventful week leading up to Christmas for Correa. The former Astro raised eyebrows with a tainted physical on Monday with the San Francisco Giants, and he lost his 13-year, $350 million deal with the organization the following day. That led to the Mets swooping in and reaching an agreement with the superstar shortstop on a 12-year, $315 million contract in a shocking turn of events.

However, after taking his physical with the Mets on December 22, the Mets have found the same outlying issue. Per Rosenthal, “the Mets continue to express reservations about the long term stability of Correa’s leg.” It is important to note that, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the two parties are trying to work through the issues right now.

The injury in question, however, is from before Correa was in MLB. In a minor league game in 2014, Correa fractured his right fibula and received minor ligament damage after sliding into third base after he hit a triple. While Correa has had a number of injuries in his career, Rosenthal highlighted that in eight major league seasons, Correa has never re-injured his right-leg.

Scott Boras also commented on Correa’s physical with the Giants on Wednesday. “You’re talking about a player who has played eight major-league seasons,” Boras said. “There are things in his medical record that happened decades ago. These are all speculative dynamics.”

It is important to note that the Twins, who have gone through the signing process with Correa twice, have had no reported problem with his physical. Minnesota had a reported 10-year, $285 million offer on the table for Correa this offseason.

Rosenthal notes in his story that the two parties could agree to a restructured contract if concerns over Correa’s leg remain, or they could insert language saying that portions of the deal would not be guaranteed if Correa missed a set amount of time with a specific leg problem. However, Rosenthal also suggests that Boras could fight any attempt to alter the deal at this late stage, especially after owner Steve Cohen has already made public comments about the deal.

While the Mets have concerns with the physical, both parties are attempting to work through it. Rosenthal reported that the Mets are confirming the first physical and will consult with team medical personnel for a different opinion. Correa hasn’t missed serious time since the 2019 season. He played in 342 games over the last three seasons and has recorded a 128 OPS+. Correa also impressed with the Twins in 2022, clubbing 22 home runs and recording a 140 OPS+ in 136 games. It remains to be seen what direction this crazy saga takes next.

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Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

Updated Post – Dec. 15, 16:30 

Super agent Scott Boras accompanied client Brandon Nimmo at Citi Field on Thursday for the presser to announce that Nimmo will be a Met for life following an eight-year, $162 million deal signed by the outfielder.

During that time at Citi Field, Boras was asked about another client and former Met, Michael Conforto. The 29-year-old missed the entire 2022 season because of injury, but is healthy and is receiving interest from multiple teams that reportedly includes the Mets. “Michael is in Arizona, he’s doing great, he’s throwing normally again, back to full health, hitting great and we’re talking to a number of teams about him right now,” Boras said.

The Cubs, Astros, and Mariners are the other known teams to be competing for the services of the former Mets outfielder. Boras on what Conforto is looking for this offseason, “short-term, probably a couple of years with an opt-out.”

Original Post – Dec. 14, 08:10

What has been a blockbuster offseason looks set to continue for the New York Mets as they look to add more offense with a reported interest in free agents Michael Conforto and J.D. Martinez, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Reports emerged from Rosenthal and our very own Michael Mayer on Tuesday night that the Mets had been in contact with agent Scott Boras over star free agent shortstop Carlos Correa. However, that was one superstar the front office missed out on with Correa going on to sign a 13-year, $350 million contract with the San Francisco Giants. It’s the fourth-largest guarantee in MLB history, and also the largest deal for a shortstop. It surpassed the $341 million contract Francisco Lindor signed with the Mets.

However, owner Steve Cohen seems unperturbed by missing out on Correa and has instead turned his attention to other targets. Rosenthal noted in his story that, from people familiar with his thinking, Cohen believes that the Mets still need more offense and another bat despite an already incredible offseason. The Mets will already have a payroll that blows well past the $300 million mark in 2023, but it appears that the front office may add one more piece. We explored here why adding more power to the lineup is crucial.

And, per Rosenthal, Conforto and Martinez appear to be two players that are very clearly on the front office’s radar. It isn’t the first time this offseason that the Mets have been linked with a reunion with Conforto. The free agent outfielder missed the entire 2022 offseason with a shoulder injury. In his final season with the Mets in 2021, Conforto slashed .232/.344/.388 with 20 doubles and 14 home runs in 125 games.

With a 124 wRC+ and 132 homers over a seven-year career, coupled with the fact that he’s still only 29-years-old, Conforto could be an intriguing option for the Mets. He would provide some much-needed outfield depth and, if he can rediscover some of his power from earlier on in his career and remain healthy, he would inject some pop into a lineup that needs another big bat.

Another intriguing option for the Mets and the other player mentioned by Rosenthal is Martinez. The free-agent slugger was linked with a trade to Queens at last year’s trade deadline and he ticks a lot of boxes. The veteran has built a career on taking the cover off the baseball and, with a career on-base percentage of .352, Martinez would not only mash at Citi Field but he could put the ball in play and get on base at a high-rate.

Martinez is coming off a tough year in 2022 having hit just .233/.301/.400 after the All-Star break. He also hit just 16 home runs last year, but his solid .341 on-base percentage proves that he was still able to make things happen offensively. Plus, the 35-year-old still finished as one of the best designated hitters in baseball in 2022 having ranked 10th in wRC+ (119) among DH’s with a minimum of 400 PA in 2022. He also hit 28 homers as recently as 2021 so the lethal power is still very much there.

The five-time All-Star could benefit from a change of scenery in 2023 and he would greatly improve the Mets’ options at the designated hitter position. After all, they got little to no production from the DH spot in 2023, with the position collectively hitting just .218/.314/.371 with 18 home runs and 183 strikeouts. Furthermore, the Mets tied for 15th in home runs with just 171 last year and finished with the fifth-worst hard-hit rate in MLB at 28.6%, per Fangraphs.

As a result, the need for another big bat in the lineup is clear and both Conforto and Martinez would help address what is still a glaring need. Per Spotrac.com, Conforto is projected to sign a one-year, $20.7 million deal while Martinez could get a two-year contract with an average annual salary of $15.1 million on the open market.

There are internal options for the Mets, of course. Highly-rated prospects Francisco Álvarez, Brett Baty, and Mark Vientos could all be in line for bigger roles in 2023, while Daniel Vogelbach remains on the roster. However, for a team that should be competing for the World Series next year, adding a legitimate and proven power bat would be the correct way to address a fatal flaw that really hurt this team in big spots both down the stretch and during the postseason in 2022.

And, for a team that has already added Justin Verlander, José Quintana, Kodai Senga and David Robertson this winter, and re-signed Edwin Díaz and Brandon Nimmo, going out and signing a player like Conforto or Martinez and adding yet another big-time weapon to this lineup would be another clear sign that Cohen will do whatever is within his power to help the Mets win in 2023 and beyond.

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Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Mariners have acquired second baseman Kolten Wong from the Milwaukee Brewers for Jesse Winker and Abraham Toro, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Winker, who had been shopped by the Mariners all offseason, had the worst season of his career in 2022. He slashed .219/.344/.344/.688 with the Mariners and recorded a 103 OPS+. Winker also saw his average exit velocity drop from 90.6 in 2021 to 87.5 in 2022.

Toro, who presumably will take over for Wong at second base, has never put together a full season in MLB. He recorded a career-high 109 games played in 2022 and slashed an abysmal .185/.239/.324/.563. However, Toro is only 25 years old and was one of the hottest prospects in baseball in 2019. He can play second base, third base, and the corner outfield positions.

Wong, on the other hand, is heading to Seattle after having the best offensive season of his career. The Hawaiian slugged a career-high 15 home runs and recorded a career-high 118 OPS+. While Wong has been known for his stellar defense in the past, he was horrendous in 2022 and registered -9 outs above average.

Along with Winker and Toro, the Mariners are also sending the Brewers $1.75 million in cash. This money will help pay off the $8.25 million that Winker is owed in 2023.

This trade is beneficial for both organizations. The Brewers are hoping that Winker returns to the player that averaged a slugging percentage of .504 and 129 OPS+ in Cincinnati. The Mariners, on the other hand, are clearing up a corner outfield position after acquiring Teoscar Hernandez earlier in the offseason. Plus, for Seattle, it continues to be an aggressive offseason for an organization that is looking to take the next steps in its maturation process after finally making the playoffs in 2022 following one of the longest postseason droughts in all of sports.

Per sources, the deal is agreed upon but not finalized. The medicals are being reviewed and Winker is coming off two surgeries.

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Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Good morning, Mets fans!

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that Major League Baseball has informed clubs that teams will be able to carry 14 pitchers on rosters through June 19. This revision comes on the eve of an earlier plan that was meant to force teams to trim down to 13 pitchers on May 30.

Now onto the morning briefing.

Latest Mets News

Former Mets pitcher Dwight Gooden told the New York Post that he will pitch in this year’s Old Timers Game. More on that here.

Latest MLB News

The New York Yankees announced that they have signed infielder Matt Carpenter and added him to the major league roster.

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced that they will retire Gil Hodges‘ number 14 on June 4 before their game against the Mets. Hodges was posthumously elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in December. Hodges played in 18 total seasons, including his final two in New York, as well as leading the Mets as manager to their first World Series title in 1969.

Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson issued an apology to White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson and the family of Jackie Robinson after comments he made to Anderson referring to him as “Jackie.” Donaldson was suspended one game for his interaction with Anderson.

The Miami Marlins have acquired utility infielder Luke Williams from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for minor league infielder Hayden Cantrelle.

The Chicago White Sox announced that they have placed pitcher Joe Kelly on the 15-day injured list with a strained left hamstring and have called up pitcher Tanner Banks from Triple-A Charlotte.

The New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays Twitter accounts took to the platform to bring information on the impacts of gun violence in lieu of recent tragic events taking place in numerous cities around the country.

WARdle, the Wordle like baseball guessing game, announces rebrand and partnership with MLB Play. The rebrand will change the name of the game to “MLB Pickle” and will feature advertising for other MLB Play games, which are free-to-play.

Latest on MMO

Alex Horowitz highlights the recent success of pitcher Colin Holderman.

Michael Mayer discusses the cracks within the Mets starting pitching depth.

On This Date in Mets History

2010: The Mets completed a series sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies in which all three wins were shutouts. The only other time that’s happened was during the last week of the 1969 season when Jerry Koosman, Tom Seaver, Gary Gentry, and two relievers combined to hold the Phillies scoreless for 27 consecutive innings. Mike Pelfrey tossed seven innings and allowing just three hits. Jose Reyes contributed the biggest hit of the game with a two-run double off of Cole Hamels in bottom of the seventh to make it 3-0. Pedro Feliciano and Francisco Rodriguez struck out three in the final two innings to keep the shutout streak alive.

Birthdays: Todd Hundley (53), Ed Nunez (59), Terry Collins (73)

Let’s go Mets!

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In a bombshell article posted by The Athletic‘s Brittany Ghiroli, Katie Strang and Ken Rosenthal, five women have come forth to detail persistent and unwanted encounters with former Mets manager Mickey Callaway that include lewd and inappropriate behavior.

Callaway reportedly sent three of the women explicit photographs and asked one of them for nude pictures in return, in addition to contacting them electronically in a unprompted manner that made them uncomfortable.

Callaway’s actions reportedly span over five years and with three different ballclubs.

“It was the worst-kept secret in sports,” said one of the women, according to the article.

The women were granted anonymity from The Athletic in order to protect their identities.

Callaway, when contacted by The Athletic, said that he was just made aware of these allegations and declined to rush to a response.

“Any relationship in which I was engaged has been consensual, and my conduct was in no way intended to be disrespectful to any women involved. I am married and my wife has been made aware of these general allegations,” Callaway said.

The Athletic contacted the Mets in August, 2018 — about 10 months after he was hired by the ballclub — to make them aware of some information they had heard about Callaway. The Mets investigated the issue, but Callaway remained as manager until the end of the 2019 season.

Callaway is currently the pitching coach for the Los Angeles Angels, who released a statement in response to the story:

“The behavior being reported violates the Angels Organization’s values and policies,” the team said. “We take this very seriously and will conduct a full investigation with MLB.”

This comes less than two weeks after the Mets fired general manager Jared Porter, who sent lewd and unwanted photographs and text messages to a female reporter that started during his time with the Chicago Cubs.

The Mets early Tuesday morning released the following statement on Callaway:

Statements from Steve Cohen and Sandy Alderson re: the Mickey Callaway story: pic.twitter.com/h1nUT8IeMe

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) February 2, 2021

To read the entire article, please click here.

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The Mets have brought back veteran infielder Todd Frazier according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. No word on the return from the Rangers yet, the Mets also got veteran catcher Robinson Chirinos from Texas.

John Blake on Twitter announced that the Mets would send the Rangers a player to be named later to complete the deal for Frazier (and another for Chirinos).

Frazier is hitting .241/.322/.380 with two home runs and seven RBIs this season in 121 plate appearances.

Here’s Pete Alonso’s thoughts on getting Frazier:

Pete Alonso on the Mets' Todd Frazier acquisition: "He's always welcome here in the clubhouse. Never a dull moment." pic.twitter.com/kBMgtc2a6L

— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) August 31, 2020

The Toms River, New Jersey native hit .233/.316/.418 with 37 doubles and 39 home runs with the Mets combined in 2018 and 2019.

J.D. Davis was not in the lineup, he has been sore since getting hit by a fastball from Aroldis Chapman on the hip.

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