Good morning, Mets fans!

According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, the New York Mets are assembling their special instructors for Spring Training and want franchise legend David Wright to work closely with prospects Mark Vientos and Brett Baty. Both Vientos and Baty saw major league time last season and are seen as future options at third base. Baty hit .184 with two home runs in 42 plate appearances, while playing 11 games at third base. On the other end, Vientos, saw similar playing time and hit .167 with a home run in 41 plate appearances, primarily as a designated hitter and two games at third base. The Mets hope in working with Wright, both Vientos and Baty can become viable options for the hot corner.

Now onto the morning briefing!

Latest MLB News

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports that the Kansas City Royals have signed reliever Aroldis Chapman to a one-year deal worth $3.75 million, that also includes performance bonuses. Coming off his worst statistical season in 2022, Chapman missed a mandatory team workout before the Yankees ALDS series versus Cleveland and as a result was left off the postseason roster.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that Raimel Tapia has signed a minor league deal with the Boston Red Sox, as noted by Tapia on his Instagram account.

Latest on MMO

How Shift Limitations Will Affect Mets’ Pitchers

On This Date in Mets History

1984: After re-acquiring Tom Seaver from the Cincinnati Reds the offseason prior, the Mets left Seaver unprotected in the annual free agent compensation draft. Seaver was taken by the Chicago White Sox and the vacated spot left by Seaver allowed the Mets to insert into the rotation budding superstar Dwight Gooden.

Birthdays: Ali Sanchez (26), Travis Taijeron (34)

The post Morning Briefing: Mets Want David Wright As Instructor For Prospects appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

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According to our own Michael Mayer, the Mets would love to bring back right-handed free agent reliever Adam Ottavino, but also realize that he will cost significantly more than he did the last offseason.

Ottavino, who will turn 37 this coming Tuesday, Nov. 22, signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the Mets earlier this year. In 65 2/3 innings, Ottavino posted a 2.06 ERA with 79 strikeouts in 65 2/3 innings, in which he went 6-3. He also had 2.3 WAR and 0.975 WHIP.

A New York native, Ottavino cemented himself as the Mets’ go-to eighth-inning pitcher and a worthy set-up man to Edwin Díaz in 2022.  The Mets successfully replaced Jeurys Familia by taking a flier on Ottavino, who had previously posted ERAs of 5.89 and 4.21 in 2020 and 2021 with the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, respectively.

His bounce-back season was much more in line with 2019, in which he went 6-5 and had a 1.90 ERA in 66 1/3 innings pitched with 88 strikeouts. Ottavino lasted two seasons with the Yankees but spent his formative playing days in Colorado with the Rockies for seven years (2012-18).

The Mets bullpen is lacking quality arms and depth despite their re-signing Díaz before he was able to hit the open market. Relievers Seth Lugo, Mychal Givens, Joely Rodriguez, Trevor May, and Tommy Hunter, and bulk-inning pitcher Trevor Williams are all free agents in addition to Ottavino.

The Mets have attempted to add depth on the waiver wire with claims of lefty Tayler Saucedo and fireballer Stephen Ridings.

The New York Post’s Jon Heyman also reports that the Mets want Ottavino back and that the interest between the two parties is presumably mutual.

The post Reports: Mets Want Adam Ottavino Back appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Good morning, Mets fans!

Carlos Beltran returned to Citi Field on Thursday. Following the visit, Francisco Lindor and Edwin Díaz spoke with members of various media outlets and discussed how Beltran should be brought back to the Mets and how they would welcome him back with history aside.

The Mets won their second straight game against the Pirates Friday, righting the ship after suffering a sweep to the Cubs. The Braves got back in the win column as well, so the Mets’ division lead remains at an even 1.0.

Latest Mets News

Baseball America announced their organizational minor league players of the year on Friday. Mets third base prospect Brett Baty was named the 2022 Mets minor league player of the year.

Stephanie Apstein of Sports Illustrated talked with Francisco Lindor about how this year’s Mets organization and team is a different group than 2021. They discussed how the Mets are overcoming decades of dysfunction and how this year’s organization is more professional than last year’s.

Carlos Beltran returned to Citi Field for the first time on Thursday since being let go by the Mets’. In the wake of the visit, Andy Martino of SNY spoke with Francisco Lindor and Edwin Diaz and they both expressed wanting Beltran back with the Mets’ organization.

In the wake of the announcement of the passing of John Stearns, Mike Piazza tweeted out a statement expressing his condolences, stating: “Deeply saddened by the passing of John Stearns. His soul and family are in my prayers. Nothing but amazing memories of the fun we had. No one had more love for the game and the Mets, thrilled he experienced the field one last time this past August. #Mets.”

According to Michael Mayer of Metsmerized, the following Mets prospects were selected to play in the 2022 Arizona Fall League this year:

• Right-handed pitcher Grant Hartwig
• Right-handed pitcher Franklin Sanchez
• Right-handed pitcher Christian Scott
• Right-handed pitcher Troy Miller (taxi squad)
• Right-handed pitcher Mike Vasil
• Utility player Kevin Kendall
• Infielder Luke Ritter
• Outfielder Stanley Consuegra (taxi squad)
• Outfielder Brandon McIlwain

Per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, Mets rookies Bretty Baty and Mark Vientos were out Friday putting in extra defensive fielding work pregame at third base. Baty is recovering from thumb surgery and has been able to return to most normal activity other than gripping a bat.

The following Mets made rehab appearances in Triple-A Syracuse on Friday:

• Joey Lucchesi: 2.2 IP, 0 R, 2 K
• Tylor Megill: 1 IP, 1 ER, 1 K
• Drew Smith: 1 IP, 0 R, 1 K

Latest MLB News

According to Jeff Schultz of The Athletic, the Atlanta Braves recalled Ozzie Albies from his rehab assignment on Friday. They also designated pitcher Jay Jackson for assignment and put Ehire Adrianza on the 10-day injured list with a strained left quadricep.

Per Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com, Jeurys Familia cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A. He elected to become a free agent.

Matt Monagan of MLB.com talks about tart cherry juice, the anti-inflammatory, sleep-aiding drink that’s taking over baseball.

Latest on MMO

Michael Mayer and the MMO Weekly Podcast staff had Maggie Wiggin join the show this week for Episode 18 to talk about an important fundraiser for the National Domestic Violence Hotline. They also had Johnluke Chaparro talk about Roberto Clemente as well.

Nick Rucco recaps the Mets’ minor league affiliate games from Thursday, September 15 that included St. Lucie winning their way to the Florida State League finals.

Joe D discusses the unfortunate passing of former Mets catcher John Stearns at the age of 71.

Michael Mayer recaps Carlos Carrasco’s big outing in the Mets win on Thursday.

Chris Bello talks about Francisco Lindor setting the Mets’ single-season home run record by a shortstop.

Christian De Block discusses the Mets’ slim lead over the Braves in an NL East Roundup.

Michael Mayer breaks down the nine Mets prospects that were selected to participate in the 2022 Arizona Fall League, including right-handed pitcher Mike Vasil.

On This Date in Mets History

1986:  The Mets clinched the NL East division title after defeating the Chicago Cubs.

Birthdays: John Franco (62)

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