Here we go, the stove is starting to heat up! We had ourselves a little bit of action on day two of the virtual Winter Meetings with a trio of interesting signings, let’s get right into it!

Royals Continue Busy Start to the Offseason

The Kansas City Royals have been taking advantage of the inefficient market thus far this offseason. Dayton Moore and company have been one of the most aggressive teams so far, adding both Mike Minor and Michael A. Taylor.

According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, they added another veteran piece to the mix on Tuesday, reaching an agreement with first baseman Carlos Santana on a two-year, $17.5 million deal.

Santana is a solid veteran presence on a young, rebuilding Royals team. The 35-year old struggled last season, but still led the league with 47 walks and posted a .349 on-base percentage over 60 games. He also hit a career-high 34 home runs for the Indians in 2019.

The righty now gives Kansas City a legit middle of the order bat, and his on-base prowess will be a welcome addition to a Royals offense that finished with the fourth lowest OBP in baseball last season. Santana figures to slot in as the everyday first baseman, bumping Hunter Dozier over to the hot corner in place of the non-tendered Maikel Franco.

Adam Eaton Returns to the South Side

Two days into the virtual Winter Meetings, two moves for the Chicago White Sox.

According to Chuck Garfien of NBCSports Chicago, the Sox have brought outfielder Adam Eaton back to the South Side on a one-year, $7 million deal. Garfien notes that the pact also includes a second year $8.5 million team option.

Eaton had his club option declined by the Nationals after struggling and missing time at the end of the 2020 season. Over 41 games, the he posted just a .669 OPS and -0.9 WAR. Chicago is obviously banking on a bounce-back from the veteran lefty.

As of now, Eaton figures to slot in as the everyday right fielder for the Sox. However, according to Jayson Stark of the Athletic, the Rick Hahn may not be done making moves just yet. Stark notes that even after signing Eaton, Chicago is still in on sweet-swinging outfielder Michael Brantley.

Stark also mentioned that Chicago could look to add a starting pitcher even after trading for Lance Lynn.

Giants Grab Potential Low-Risk, High-Reward Arm

Well that didn’t take very long!

Just six days after being non-tendered by the Minnesota Twins, Matt Wisler is off the open market. According to Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic, the righty is headed to the Bay Area on a one-year, $1.15 million deal.

Wisler certainly has the makings of a low-risk, high-reward signing for the Giants, after being one of the most surprising players let go last week. Though it’s a bit of a small sample size, the 28-year old is coming off one of his best seasons in the big leagues.

Over 25 innings, Wisler struck out 35 batters while posting a 1.07 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and averaging 12.5 K/9. A ton of that success can be credited to Wisler relying on his most dominant pitch, his slider. The righty threw the pitch 83% of the time, and opposing hitters produced just a .143 batting average against the pitch.

If Wisler continues to dominate with his new team, he could certainly work his way into some high-leverage situations in a relatively weak Giants bullpen.

Jason Castro Drawing Interest

According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, free agent catcher Jason Castro is drawing interest from teams “looking to add an everyday or platoon catcher.”

Castro certainly isn’t a star, but he is a serviceable veteran backup. At the plate, the lefty doesn’t offer much besides some occasional power (18 HR’s with the Twins in 2019). The defensive side of the ball is where Castro earns his money.

The 33-year old is known for his excellent pitch-framing skills, as well as his ability to work well with younger pitchers.

Morosi notes that two of the teams engaged with Castro, as well are other catchers on the market, are the Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros.

The post Rumor Roundup: Day Two of the Virtual Winter Meetings! appeared first on Metsmerized.

With Jacob deGrom and Marcus Stroman — who accepted the Mets’ $18.9 million qualifying offer last week — already Sharpie’d into the rotation and right-hander Noah Syndergaard apparently making progress in his rehab from Tommy John surgery, there are still holes to fill.

Kluber, 34 and a two-time American League Cy Young Award winner (2014 and 2017) has made just eight starts since the beginning of the 2019 season due to myriad injuries (broken forearm, oblique in 2019; shoulder tear in 2020), but was a top-tier starter in the years leading up to his health issues (2.85 ERA, 151 ERA+ from 2014 through 2018).

Morton, 37, is coming off a down year with Tampa Bay after making two consecutive All-Star appearances in 2018 and 2019 with Houston and the Rays, respectively (3.09 ERA, 140 ERA+ over 63 combined starts; 4.74 ERA, 90 ERA+ in 2020).

Minor, 32, has been a quintessential back-end starter for most of his career — save for his 65-relief-appearance, 2.55 ERA 2017 season in Kansas City. Despite putting up a 5.56 ERA over 12 appearances (11 starts) between Texas and Oakland in 2020, Minor’s 3.84 ERA (1.19 WHIP, 130 ERA+) line over 2018 and 2019 (60 starts) evidence remaining value.

We will keep you posted with new information as it becomes available.

The post Source: Mets Showing Interest in Corey Kluber, Charlie Morton, Mike Minor appeared first on Metsmerized.

Jeff Passan of ESPN is reporting that the Oakland A’s have acquired left-hander Mike Minor from the Texas Rangers for two players to be named later.

Minor, 32, is in the final year of his deal and is owed around $2 million over the rest of this season.

After an All-Star season in 2019 that saw Minor post a 3.59 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with 200 strikeouts over 32 starts, it’s been all downhill for the veteran southpaw this season.

Minor is 0-5 with a 5.60 ERA, 4.84 FIP, and 1.36 WHIP through seven starts. His 8.9 strikeouts per nine innings is an improvement, but all his other metrics are pointing in the wrong direction. He’s a free agent after this season.

The post Oakland A’s Acquire LHP Mike Minor appeared first on Metsmerized.

Phillies Eyeing Tigers Hurlers

The Phillies have been in recent trade talks with the Tigers, per Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia. The teams will play a two-game interleague series starting today, where Philadelphia’s general manager Matt Klentak will join the team in Detroit to get a better look at the club’s trade prospects-specifically eyeing southpaw Matthew Boyd and All-Star closer Shane Greene.

The Phillies have lingering holes to plug in their starting rotation and at the back end of their bullpen, and acquiring the talents of Boyd and Greene would add depth past just this season. Boyd has three more years left of control, and Greene is under control through next season.

Boyd has pitched a solid 2019 season, with a 4.13 ERA through 120 innings. Greene has arguably been one of the most valuable closers in baseball this year, earning 22 saves with a 1.25 ERA for Detroit. The Tigers reportedly have a very high asking price for their controllable hurlers, as the rebuilding team needs talent and will aim high for prospects of the future.

Yankees Interested in Mike Minor

The Yankees are taking an interest in Rangers lefty Mike Minor, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. While New York is eyeing several rotation prospects, it is still questionable on whether or not they will go the starting pitching route before the deadline. With Luis Severino returning shortly from his season-long stint on the injured list, and the depth from James Paxton and Domingo German as capable postseason starters-along with Masahiro Tanaka and CC Sabathia– the team’s rotation is in pretty good shape. It could certainly use another arm like Minor to back up the staff in the playoffs with questions surrounding Severino’s return, and the lefty could fill a hole in the rotation for 2020- but the price for the southpaw will be steep because of his rights for next season.

Minor is earning just $9.5 million dollars this season and next. This makes him a target for several small-market teams. Although the Yankees are opposed to rolling out a massive budget, a trade for the southpaw could help them to try and avoid unnecessary luxury tax complications. The Rangers will want a haul of prospects back for their All-Star because of his control beyond the season-which may send New York in a different direction.

New York may instead look for a rental and sign another starter during free agency next winter, but for now they remain weighing their options, sending scouts to watch Minor and several other hurlers as the deadline creeps up on them.

Rockies Open To Blackmon Offers

The Rockies are willing to listen to offers for Charlie Blackmon, according to Jon Paul Morosi of MLB.com. Going 3-12 since the start of July, Colorado holds the National League’s worst record this month. As their playoff hopes fade, the team plans to focus on the future and while they don’t plan on selling players under contract beyond the end of the season, sources say there is a possibility they would move Blackmon-if the price is right- but that a trade before the deadline is improbable.

Blackmon has a 15 team no trade clause which could complicate the process. He is due to earn $21.5 million for the next two seasons. The lefty has hit .319/.365/.602 this year with 21 homers.

Rays Inquiring About Hunter Pence

According to Jon Morosi of MLB.com, the Rays have inquired on the Rangers All-Star outfielder/designated-hitter Hunter Pence. Texas had a hot start but has fallen out of the Wild Card race and the club will surely be pursuing trades for pending free agents like Pence.

The chances that the Rays catch the first-place Yankees in the AL East are highly unlikely, but the team is just 1 game back of a Wild Card Berth behind the resurging Cleveland Indians and Oakland Athletics. Tampa Bay has a legitimate shot at becoming a viable playoff team, and acquiring a big bat to bolster their lineup could help them secure a Wild Card spot.

Pence is signed to a one year, $2 million dollar deal which fits the Rays low payroll-especially for a rental during a season where their playoff hopes are uncertain. The righty is currently slashing .290/.349/.581 for the highest OPS of his career. Tampa Bay  has primarily used Austin Meadows and Avisail Garcia at DH this year, and Pence has been more productive than both of these players on the season. The club could use a veteran leader like Pence to help guide their young team, and the Rangers could surely benefit from the Rays strong farm system in return.

The post MLB Rumor Roundup: Phillies Eyeing Tigers’ Hurlers, Rockies Listening On Blackmon appeared first on Metsmerized.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that the Mets and Phillies are both showing “strong interest” in left-handed starting pitcher Mike Minor.

Minor, 31, is currently in his second year with the Texas Rangers in which he has made four starts this year, registering a 2.60 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 3.94 FIP, and 22 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings. In his most recent start, Minor tossed a complete game shutout in which he only surrendered three hits and two walks while striking out seven batters.

The Mets and Phillies have both previously expressed interest in Minor, even as recently as this past offseason. It is unclear how far along negotiations are between the clubs.

If the Mets were to acquire Minor, the team would almost certainly slot him in as the fifth starter in the rotation, with Jason Vargas being the casualty given his rough start to the 2019 season and the fact that he was pretty dreadful in 2018 as well.

Minor is set to make $9.5 million both this year and in 2020 before hitting free agency at the end of next season.

The post Mets, Phillies Both Showing Strong Interest in Mike Minor appeared first on Metsmerized.

On Friday night, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that both the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies have shown interest in the Texas Rangers lefty Mike Minor.

This certainly makes sense, as the Mets are still seeking a lefty to add to their bullpen. Minor would be a major addition, as he could serve as a left-handed version of swingman Seth Lugo.

However, on Saturday afternoon MLB Trade Rumors reported that talks between the Mets and Rangers have reportedly “stalled” as GM Brodie Van Wagenen isn’t eager to put together the type of package that fits the Rangers asking price.

Earlier in December, TR Sullivan of MLB.com reported that the Mets and Rangers had met at the Winter Meetings. Though specifics were not known at the time, the Rangers were said to be interested in Mets pitching prospects Anthony Kay and David Peterson.

Minor was lights out while pitching out of the Kansas City Royals bullpen in 2017. Over 77 innings, he recorded a 2.55 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 2.62 FIP, and issued just 22 walks. He was also very effective against opposing lefties, as he limited them to a slash line of .163/.235/.196.

Prior to the 2018 season, Minor singed with the Rangers, and he returned to the starting rotation. Over 28 starts, he went 12-8 with a 4.18 ERA and posted a 3.7 WAR. Under his current contract, Minor is owed around $9 million over each of the next two seasons. 

The post Mets Pursuit of Minor Stalled Over Rangers Asking Price appeared first on Metsmerized.

Good morning, folks!

Latest Mets News

Seth Lugo has hired Ballengee has his agency group.

Latest MLB News

Nick Crafardo of the Boston Globe says the Orioles have gotten trade calls for Dylan Bundy and Alex Cobb.

Anthony Castrovince talks about the success of the opener.

Latest NL East News

Jon Heyman of FanCred says the Braves made an attempt at Michael Brantley.

Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post says the Nationals have interest in Brian Dozier.

The Phillies like Mike Minor‘s work out of the bullpen per Todd Zolecki.

Latest on MMO

Josh Finklestein writes about Kevin Plawecki‘s best trade fits.

Josh also says the Blue Jays could be trade partners with the Mets.

Birthdays: Matt Ginter turns 41, Frank Taveras turns 69.

The post Morning Briefing: Do You Hear What I Hear? appeared first on Metsmerized.

Photo: Mets.com

Good Morning, folks!

Latest Mets News

Craig Mish of Sirius XM says the Braves are slight favorites in the J.T. Realmuto race. He says the Mets are still in on Realmuto.

Latest NL East News

Mark Bowman of MLB.com says the Braves have not had meaningful Realmuto discussions, so time will tell I guess.

The Nationals brought back Matt Adams on a one-year deal.

Jon Heyman says the Phillies consider Mike Moustakas as a fallback to Manny Machado.

The Phillies have interest in Mike Minor.

Latest on MMO

We had a roundtable discussion on the Mets offseason so far.

Rob Piersall writes about minor league rule five selection, Braxton Lee.

This Day in Mets History

Birthdays: Chris Jones turns 53, Chris Jelic turns 55, Tom Gorman turns 61

The post Morning Briefing: Quiet Weekend Following Winter Meetings appeared first on Metsmerized.

Aaron Boone was officially hired to be the New York Yankees’ manager according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Boone will be the 33rd manager in Yankees history.

The 44-year-old Boone will have a press conference at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday at 12:00 p.m. He is signed through 2020 and his contract includes a team option for 2021.

The team also announced that Larry Rothschild will remained on Boone’s coaching staff.

Boone spent 12 seasons in MLB; seven of which as a Cincinnati Red. He was also on the Yankees, Washington Nationals, Florida Marlins, Houston Astros, and Cleveland Indians.

Over the course of his career, Boone hit .263/.326/.425/.751 with 519 runs scored, 126 home runs, 555 RBI, and 107 stolen bases in 3,871 at-bats and 1,152 games played.

Other MLB News and Notes

The St. Louis Cardinals are reported to have offered the Miami Marlins a deal for Giancarlo Stanton that revolves around pitching prospect Sandy Alcantara according to Craig Mish of SiriusXM. The Cardinals were also willing to take on more of his contract than the San Francisco Giants.

However, Jon Morosi of MLB Network notes that the Marlins are interested in Michael Wacha and Jose Martinez.

Even after the Marlins reportedly agreed to the general framework to potential deals with the Cardinals and Giants, a deal is not imminent according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com.

The Oakland Athletics announced that Yankees’ Triple-A manager Al Pedrique will be their new first base coach. Marcus Jensen will become their new bullpen coach while Mike Aldrete will move over to the assistant hitting coach spot.

The Texas Rangers made a major move by agreeing to a deal with Mike Minor. They also signed multiple players to minor league deals including RHP Chi Chi Gonzalez, OF Anthony Gose, LHP David Hurlbut, and INF Christian Lopez according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Furthermore they also re-signed RHP Tony Barnette.

The post MLB Roundup: Yankees Make It Official appeared first on Metsmerized.

On Wednesday night, New York Mets third baseman David Wright was inducted into the Arizona Fall League Hall of Fame. He was part of the 2017 class that also included Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer and Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout.

Wright played for the Peoria Saguaros in 2003 and joins former Mets players Mike Piazza and Shawn Green in the AFL Hall of Fame.

Also on Wednesday,  Mets assistant GM John Ricco admitted that the Mets are not counting on David Wright this season.

Wright is in the early stage of the rehab process as he looks to come back from lower back surgery. “The goal is to come back as strong as ever,” Wright said told Barry Bloom of MLB.com. “It’s kind of baby steps. We’ll do the rehab process. Then we’ll get into a more strenuous rehab process and see how my body responds, and hopefully start revving it up baseball-wise.”

Latest Mets News 

The Mets are considering giving Jacob deGrom an extension this off-season to bypass his arbitration years.

Juan Lagares and Tim Tebow have both started working with J.D. Martinez‘s personal hitting coach.

Sandy Alderson talked to the press about the Shohei Otani and said there is “no downside to looking into it.”

The Mets announced their official coaching staff for next season.

The Mets have also expressed interest in RP Mike Minor.

Latest MLB News 

Corey Kluber won the AL Cy Young Award while Max Scherzer won the award in the NL.

Ken Rosenthal reports that the Pirates have dismissed Director of Latin American Scouting Rene Gayo for accepting improper payment.

Rosenthal also reports that the Atlanta Braves will lose prospects and possibly more for violating rules in the international market.

The Seattle Mariners acquired 3B Ryon Healy from the Oakland A’s for RHP Emilio Pagan and INF Alexander Campos.

Latest NL East News 

Chelsea Jane of the Washington Post writes about Scott Boras’ reporting that the Nationals and Bryce Harper have not discussed a contract extension.

Jeff Todd of MLB Trade Rumors has the latest on the Giancarlo Stanton trade front and most importantly, what Derek Jeter had to say about him when questioned at the GM Meetings on Wednesday.

Gabriel Burns of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution organizes Alex Anthopoulos’ thoughts on a multitude of topics from his introductory press conference.

Matt Gelb of Philly.com gets the thoughts of Phillies GM Matt Klenack on baseball’s new trend.

Latest on MMO

Rob Piersall writes about the Mets start to the off-season is the same old song and dance.

This Day in Mets History

1961: The Mets hold their grand opening of their club offices at 680 Fifth Avenue and introduce their logo.

Birthdays: Don Hahn and Leon Brown turn 69, Dwight Gooden turns 53, Mark Corey turns 43, and Juan Centeno turns 28.

The post Morning Briefing: Wright Inducted Into AFL Hall of Fame appeared first on Metsmerized.