In return, the Bronx Bombers will send starting pitcher Nestor Cortes, infield prospect Caleb Durbin and cash to Milwaukee.

Photo by Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Williams is heading into his final year of arbitration before free agency. The same holds true for Cortes, whose hold on a starting rotation spot for the Yankees weakened once they signed left-hander Max Fried earlier this week. Durbin is a 24-year-old versatile infielder who spent most of 2024 in AAA with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Before the deal, he was considered an in-house candidate to take over at second base for New York.

Both Williams and Cortes will leave their teams on sour notes. Williams gave up the series-deciding home run to Pete Alonso in Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series against the Mets, and Cortes surrendered a walk-off grand slam to Freddie Freeman in Game 1 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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The Mets were slated to take on Chris Sale and the Atlanta Braves in Game 2 of a pivotal three-game set to decide the fate of both clubs’ postseason hopes on Wednesday night. However, due to Hurricane Helene ripping through the southeast, Games 2 and 3 of the series have been pushed back to a Monday doubleheader if necessary. While many unfortunate factors prevented this series from being completed, it could end up helping the Mets overall.

Now that the Mets will be missing out on two games, they could clinch a postseason spot without playing another game against the Braves. If the Mets, who currently are tied for the second Wild Card spot with the Diamondbacks, lead Arizona by a game after Sunday, they will have clinched a spot in the postseason. The doubleheader could still need to be played in the case that the Braves are still in the hunt for the final spot, but if the Mets hold a one-game lead over Arizona it would take all pressure off the Amazin’s going into that Monday matchup.

Photo by Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

Wild Card Update

Neither the Mets or Braves played Wednesday due to Hurricane Helene. However, the Diamondbacks beat the Giants 8-2 and tied themselves with the Mets for the second Wild Card spot while going up a full game on the Braves for the third and final Wild Card spot. 

The Padres lost, meanwhile, 4-3 to the Dodgers. They have a 3.5-game lead on the Mets and trail the Dodgers by three games in the NL West race.

With the Dodgers win last night, and the Phillies clinching a first-round bye, the Mets next opponent, Milwaukee, is officially locked in the No. 3 seed and will have nothing to play for the remainder of the season when it comes to seeding and a potential bye.

Latest Mets News

Francisco Lindor was announced as the Mets’ starting shortstop for Wednesday’s game before the game was postponed. 

Top Mets prospects Jett Williams and Drew Gilbert are two of the eight Mets players who will be playing in the Arizona Fall League. 

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters that there is a “good chance” Sean Manaea will start on Friday against the Milwaukee Brewers, per Tim Healey of Newsday. This would make Manaea available to pitch in the wild card round. 

Latest MLB News

Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes said he is shutting down for 7-10 days as he will likely be receiving a PRP injection, per Jorge Castillo of ESPN. Cortes underwent an MRI on his left elbow on Tuesday, his UCL is in tact and will be receiving a second opinion from at least two other doctors; there are hopes he could return if the Yankees make a deep playoff run. 

Yankee Stadium will be hosting Dominican Winter League games in November, a year after Citi Field hosted LIDOM games of their own. Tigres del Licey and Águilas Cibaeñas will face off in two games in the Bronx on November 8 and 9. 

The Chicago Cubs called up top-100 prospect Kevin Alcantara, who registered his first big league hit in his first game. 

Bo Bichette told reporters that he is undergoing surgery on his fractured right middle finger, per Ben Nicholson-Smith of SportsNet. Bichette should be “good to go” for 2025 spring training.

Julio Rodriguez of the Seattle Mariners joined Bobby Witt Jr. as the only two players to ever start their careers with three consecutive 20/20 seasons.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde told reporters that LHP Grayson Rodriguez will not be available in the postseason and is done for the 2024 season, per Jorge Castillo. Rodriguez has been out since early August with a lat strain. 

The Philadelphia Phillies clinched a first round bye with their win and the Brewers loss on Wednesday night.

The Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox were officially eliminated from the postseason on Wednesday.

Latest on MMO

The last two games in the Mets-Braves series have been postponed. 

Francisco Lindor was slated to return to the Mets’ lineup on Wednesday. 

A rough third inning derails Luis Severino‘s start against the Braves. 

On This Date in Mets History 

2015: The New York Mets beat the Cincinnati Reds to win the National League East for the first time since 2006.

2012: David Wright records his 1,419th career hit to pass Ed Kranepool for the most hits in franchise history.

2007: Moises Alou hits a solo home run to extend his 30-game franchise-record hitting streak.

Born On This Date: Brooks Pounders (1990), Doug Sisk (1957).

The post Morning Briefing: Mets’ Final Week Gets Disrupted appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

The day has finally come! Major League Baseball Opening Day is officially upon us!

Unfortunately, the Mets have to wait another day. But let’s take a look at some of the games on the slate for today.

The first game on the docket is the Orioles who will be hosting the Angels while Corbin Burnes makes his Baltimore debut. The Mets’ crosstown rival Yankees go to Houston as they will throw Nestor Cortes against the Astros’ Framber Valdez in a 2022 ALCS rematch. One final matchup to look at will have the reigning champion Texas Rangers hosting the Chicago Cubs in a battle of Cy Young hopefuls, as Justin Steele will be going head-to-head against Nathan Eovaldi. 

What games are the MMO readers looking most forward to? Click here for the full opening day slate.

Latest Mets News

Opening Day for the Mets this season will be delayed as their Thursday game has been postponed until Friday at 1:40 p.m. Click here for more information on Mets Opening Day. 

A non-profit started by Rusty Staub will present the family of slain NYPD officer Jonathan Diller with a check for $50,000 to help the family through immediate financial concerns.

Kodai Senga played catch at Citi Field as he continues to progress in his rehab.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza announced that DJ Stewart has made the team, following his hot end to the 2023 season. Click here to learn more about the decision and J.D. Martinez‘s status to start the season.

Mike Petriello of MLB.com went into detail on why Martinez is such a good fit for the Mets and Citi Field.

Latest MLB News

The Los Angeles Dodgers and catcher Will Smith agreed to terms on a 10-year, $140 million contract extension, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Max Scherzer is progressing well according to Rangers GM Chris Young, as reported by Buster Olney of ESPN. Young does not plan to place Scherzer on the 60-day IL, which could mean a possible May return.

The Cincinnati Reds announced that their up-and-coming second baseman Matt McLain had successful surgery to address cartilage damage and repair his labrum in his left shoulder. There is no timeline but the Reds hope to have him back this season.

Major League Baseball’s owners approved the sale of the Baltimore Orioles to David Rubenstein, who released a video message to Orioles fans. 

The Marlins traded infielder (and Mets killer) Jon Berti to the Yankees, per Craig Mish of Miami Herald Sports.

Red Sox RHP Noah Song is undergoing Tommy John surgery, per Chris Hatfield of SoxProspects.com.

Diamondbacks top prospect Jordan Lawlar will be having surgery on his right thumb and is expected to miss at least a couple of months, per Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. 

The Boston Red Sox acquired RHP Naoyuki Uwasawa in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays, per Jeff Passan. Uwasawa spent nine years pitching in Japan prior to this season. 

The Houston Astros claimed RHP Penn Murfee off waivers from the Atlanta Braves, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. The Astros put Kendall Graveman on the 60-day IL to make room. 

Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano and starting pitcher Alek Manoah are “likely” to start the season on the IL, per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com.

Latest on MMO

There is a new Metsmerized Pod out with Mets broadcaster Keith Raad!

MMO is giving away a code for Out of the Park Baseball 25!

The Mets are ready for opening day! Read about the players’ feeling towards the 2024 opener!

On This Date in Mets History

2019: Pete Alonso records his first major league hit in the eighth inning of his MLB debut against the Washington Nationals.

Birthdays: Brad Emaus (38), Paul Wilson (51), Craig Paquette (55)

The post Morning Briefing: Happy Major League Baseball Opening Day! appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Good morning and happy Valentine’s Day, Mets fans!

Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes Jr. has withdrawn from the World Baseball Classic after he recently tweaked his hamstring. The 2022 All-Star was expected to lead Team USA’s rotation alongside Clayton Kershaw, Brady Singer, and Miles Mikolas. With Cortes out of the picture, Adam Wainwright and Kyle Freeland will be expected to play bigger roles as the Americans look to defend their title.

Latest Mets News

Keith Hernandez has agreed to a three-year contract to remain in the SNY booth. Mike Puma of the New York Post reports that Hernandez is expected to work 110 games in each of the next three seasons. Hernandez, Gary Cohen, and Ron Darling are entering their 18th year working together as the Mets’ TV broadcasting crew.

Brandon Nimmo spoke to reporters in Port St. Lucie on Monday, saying that he bought himself a new car after signing his eight-year contract in December. He also spoke on his decision to withdraw from the World Baseball Classic, saying he didn’t want to risk getting injured before the season started.

Chris Newell was named the 14th manager in Brooklyn Cyclones history, replacing Luis Rivera. Newell served as the team’s bench coach last year and has previous managerial experience in the United States Shore Baseball League.

Adam Ottavino shared his thoughts on the new pitch clock rules, saying that he thinks pitchers like upping their pace when they’re pitching well to keep hitters uncomfortable.

Latest MLB News

Major League Baseball’s Joint Competition Committee unanimously voted to keep the runner on second base rule in extra innings permanent for all regular-season games. The committee also voted that position players will only be allowed to pitch either in extra innings, when the leading team is up by at least 10 runs, or when the trailing team is down by at least eight runs.

Real estate magnate and Washington Nationals owner Ted Lerner passed away Sunday at the age of 97. Lerner took over the reins of the franchise in the summer of 2006, with his family owning 90 percent of the team’s shares. He saw the team win the NL East four times and the franchise’s first World Series in 2019.

The Tigers have agreed to a minor league contract with right-hander Matt Wisler, with an invite to spring training. Wisler was solid for the Rays in 2022, turning in a 2.25 ERA with 35 strikeouts against 14 walks in 44 innings.

Marlins Rule 5 pick Nic Enright announced on his Instagram that he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma back in December and has already completed his first round of treatment. An alum of Virginia Tech, Enright has spent the last four seasons in the Cleveland organization.

The Cardinals have extended president of baseball operations John Mozeliak’s contract through the 2025 season. By the end of this latest extension, Mozeliak will rank as one of the longest-tenured executives in the franchise’s 132-year history in the NL.

The Twins are showing interest in three-time All-Star and Minneapolis native Brad Hand, according to Darren Wolfson of SKOR North. The former Met appeared in 55 games for the Phillies in 2022, posting a solid 2.80 ERA with 38 strikeouts in 45 innings.

Latest on MMO

John Sheridan looks at what to expect from Mark Vientos, who checks in as the eighth-best prospect in the Mets organization in MMO’s rankings.

On This Date in Mets History

1985: The Mets agree to a one-year contract worth $1.32 million with Dwight Gooden, making him the youngest player ever to receive over a million dollars. Gooden won Rookie of the Year in 1984 and won the NL Cy Young award in a historic 1985 campaign.

Birthdays: Kelly Stinnett (53), Tyler Clippard (38)

The post Morning Briefing: Nestor Cortes Jr. Withdraws From World Baseball Classic appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The 2022 World Series is almost set. Both the Philadelphia Phillies, surprisingly, and the more believable, Houston Astros, are each one win away.

The Phillies marched to a thrilling 10-6 victory Saturday, thanks in large part to an electric performances by Rhys Hoskins (2 HRs, 4 RBI) and Bryce Harper (2-for-4, 2 RBI). This increased their series lead to 3-1 over the San Diego Padres. A World Series appearance would be the team’s first since 2009 (loss against the Yankees).

Meanwhile, the Astros continued their domination over the New York Yankees. They shutout the Yankees, 5-0, on Saturday. Gerrit Cole allowed five runs, three earned, over five innings of work in the loss. This would be the Astros  fourth World Series appearance since 2017 (have won one over that span).

Game 5: San Diego Padres vs. Philadelphia Phillies, 2:37 P.M. ET – Series 3-1, Philadelphia 

Besides a hiccup in Game 2, the Phillies have relatively controlled the series against San Diego. There is some rain in the forecast this afternoon in South Philadelphia, though, if the game gets in, it is very possible there is bedlam in the City of Brotherly Love by evening’s end.

Today, Philadelphia will turn to one of their two aces, Zack Wheeler (2-1, 1.40 ERA), to get the job done. Wheeler pitched in Game 1 of the series and turned in seven dominant innings. He struck out eight and only allowed one hit. It resulted in a 2-0 Phillies win.

In that same game, the Padres pitched their ace, Yu Darvish (2-1, 2.84 ERA). Darvish also pitched well. He threw seven innings, allowing three hits (two home runs), two runs, and struck out 7. Expect a very low-scoring game in Philadelphia today, much like Game 1 when each of these pitchers faced eachother on October 18.

Padres Lineup

Game 5. Let's go. #CaptureTheMoment pic.twitter.com/U2w9rkcsD2

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) October 23, 2022

Phillies Lineup

You wanna do it again? #RingTheBell

📺: @FS1
📻: @SportsRadioWIP pic.twitter.com/fDEzNxcIUq

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) October 23, 2022

Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Game 4: Houston Astros vs. New York Yankees, 7:07 P.M. ET – Series 3-0, Houston

The Astros have dominated the Yankees thus far. They have outscored New York, and their lowly offense, 12-4 over the three-game period. The Yankees’ offense is completely lifeless at the worst possible time. As mentioned, a Houston victory in the Bronx later tonight, can send the Yankees home short of a World Series appearance yet again.

To extend the series, the Yankees will have to hit off Lance McCullers. McCullers has made one start this postseason, a six-inning, two-hitter against the Seattle Mariners. He held Seattle off the board and struck out seven in the appearance.

Meanwhile, the Yankees will throw Nestor Cortes (1-0, 2.70 ERA) in the do-or-die Game 4. Cortes, who turned in a wonderful regular season, got hit around a bit in his two starts against Cleveland, though, only allowed three runs total. He made two five-inning starts, allowing a total of nine hits, and struck out a total of five. Though, as mentioned, only allowed three runs. He got the job done each time.

Astros Lineup: pending

Yankees Lineup: pending

The post Game Threads: Philadelphia Phillies, Houston Astros Look To Advance appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Good morning, Mets fans!

After a rain delay that lasted over two hours, the fifth game of the ALDS between the Guardians and Yankees was postponed. The winner-take-all game will be played this afternoon at 4:07. Nestor Cortes will take the hill for the Yankees, while the Guardians have yet to announce a starter. The winner will face the Astros in the ALCS starting Wednesday.

Latest Mets News

Pete Alonso has been nominated for the Hank Aaron Award, which is given to the best offensive player in each league. Alonso slugged 40 homers and led the NL with 131 RBIs this season.

Latest MLB News

The NLCS is set to begin today at Petco Park between the Padres and Phillies. Zack Wheeler will take the mound for Philadelphia against Yu Darvish, who is seeking his third win of the postseason. Mike Petriello of MLB.com examines the position-by-position matchups ahead of game 1.

In other Padres news, Fernando Tatis Jr. underwent another wrist surgery to better sustain the repair to the injury he suffered after he fell off his motorcycle back in March. Tatis is still serving the 80-game suspension he was handed for a failed drug test in August.

The BBWAA has announced the order in which the MLB awards will be announced next month. The finalists will be revealed on November 7, followed by the Rookies of the Year on the 14th, Managers of the Year on the 15th, the Cy Young Awards on the 16th, and the MVPs on the 17th.

The World Baseball Classic pools have been finalized following the conclusion of the qualifier tournaments. Panama will join Pool A (Taichung, Taiwan), the Czech Republic is joining Pool B (Tokyo, Japan), Great Britain has joined Pool C (Phoenix, AZ), and Nicaragua is in Pool D (Miami, FL).

Latest on MMO

Michael Garaffa assesses Mark Canha‘s performance from this past year.

Nate Mendelson opines on what to do with the MLB playoff format.

On This Date in Mets History

1973: Jerry Koosman and Tug McGraw combine to throw a two-hit shutout as the Mets win Game 5 of the World Series, 2-0. They now lead the A’s 3-2 heading back to Oakland.

2006: Jose Reyes hits a lead-off homer against Chris Carpenter to kickstart a 4-2 victory in game 6 of the NLCS, forcing a decisive Game 7. John Maine throws 5 2/3 scoreless innings, and Billy Wagner bends but doesn’t break in securing the win.

2015: In Game 2 of the NLCS, the Mets attack Jake Arrieta for three runs in the first inning, courtesy of a David Wright RBI double and a Daniel Murphy two-run homer. Murphy has now homered in four straight games. Noah Syndergaard allows just one run and three hits, striking out nine, and Jeurys Familia secures the 4-1 win with a scoreless ninth inning, giving the Mets a 2-0 series lead.

Birthdays: Alex Cora (47), Garrett Olson (39), Yoenis Céspedes (37), Kevin McGowan (31)

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Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

This year’s All-Star game was broadcast on Fox. The network tried a few innovations during the broadcast, however, the game drew record-low television ratings.

The mid-summer classic, according to an article in The Athletic drew 7.5 million viewers, down 10% from the game’s 2021 audience. The home run derby on Monday drew 6.8 million viewers. Baseball’s All-Star game remains the most watched of all the major sports, but the gap continues to shrink. The 2022 All-Star game was the first to ever draw fewer than eight million viewers.

How much has the television audience shrunk? In the 1990s, the summer showcase of baseball’s best talent routinely banked an audience of over 20 million. The event has not attracted more than 12 million viewers since 2010.

There are many reasons why the All-Star game’s popularity has dropped, with inter-league play probably the most prominent. There simply isn’t the novelty nor intrigue of seeing players from the “other league”. In the 1960s and 1970s, the All-Star game was highly competitive, symbolized by Pete Rose‘s crash into Ray Fosse in the 1970 game that resulted in a walk-off National League win. It’s hard to imagine something like that happening in current times.

The low ratings were not for lack of trying by Fox, as the network tried some new things to bring the intricacies of the game closer to the fans. Consider the in-game conversation between John Smoltz in the booth and Alex Manoah of the Blue Jays who was pitching for the American League. Ken Rosenthal captured some key moments in an article in The Athletic.

“Make this slider look like a strike on the outside corner and make it disappear off the corner,” Smoltz said.

Manoah wasn’t so sure.

“I’m thinking the slider, too, but I think if I execute a good heater up …” Manoah said, rubbing the ball as he pondered his next move. “He has seen the sinker twice. Something that stays true (straight) might throw him off a little bit.”

Later in the game, Fox aired a live conversation between Nestor Cortes of the Yankees, and his teammate and ASG catcher Jose Trevino. Here is some of the dialogue from Rosenthal’s article, as Cortes and Trevino decided on their approach.

“What are you thinking?” Trevino said to Cortes before a 2-1 pitch to the Braves’ Austin Riley.

“Cutter, back door,” Cortes said.

“Get it there,” Trevino replied.

To some, the interactivity of the broadcast trivialized the game, making it seem like a Sunday morning softball game. To others, the eavesdropping on player conversations helped further an understanding of the game, and the thought processes the players go through. Braves’ pitcher Colin McHugh was in the latter camp. From Rosenthal’s article:

After viewing the sixth inning of the All-Star Game, Braves reliever Collin McHugh tweeted, “That was the single best inning of baseball I’ve ever watched. Listening to Nestor and Jose do that in real time was truly amazing.”

There was also “ump cam” during the game, attached to home plate umpire Bill Miller‘s mask. The innovations may not have positively impacted viewership, but give Fox credit for trying to infuse intrigue into an event that has lost much of its luster.

As an older fan, I prefer the days of the All-Star game being played seriously (not the home field advantage years). I miss when the two leagues wanted to beat each other. I loved the 1994 game when Fred McGriff dramatically tied the game in the bottom of the ninth with a home run off Lee Smith of the Orioles.

Those days are over. The All-Star game is no longer the attraction it once was. Maybe interactive in-game conversations will help bring the game’s strategy closer to the fans, and subsequently, increase interest. Maybe those innovations will not. Time will tell.

If nothing else, the 2022 All-Star game broadcast was unique, if not widely watched.

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