Morning Briefing: Ohtani Maybe Met With Giants, Blue Jays Recently
Good morning, Mets fans!
Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reported Monday that Logan Webb has been trying to recruit Shohei Ohtani to the Giants. Webb previously said he’d been trying to get Ohtani to follow him on Instagram, and the Japanese superstar obliged on Monday. Slusser adds that Ohtani may have paid a visit to San Francisco recently as well.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that the Blue Jays may have met with Ohtani on Monday.
Latest Mets News
Speaking to the media at the Winter Meetings, Carlos Mendoza said that Edwin Díaz is fully healthy and going through his offseason plans. Mendoza also mentioned that the Mets will have a plan for ramping Díaz up after missing the entirety of the 2023 season.
Both Mendoza and David Stearns expressed their confidence in the Mets’ in-house options at third base. Stearns said that the team is not actively exploring the market at the hot corner. When asked about the designated hitter position, Mendoza said he isn’t sure who will get most of those at-bats.
Stearns told reporters Monday that he is targeting an outfielder, at least one starting pitcher, and bullpen arms. Stearns said he’s specifically looking for an outfielder who can “take significant playing time.” The Mets have recently been connected to outfielders Jung Hoo Lee and Michael A. Taylor.
In a survey conducted by The Athletic, 14 of 16 agents polled said they believe Stearns’ success in Milwaukee will translate in New York.
“He’s smart and genuine,” one agent said. “He’s a good evaluator and communicator and both of those things will transfer well into different markets.”
The Mets and White Sox are the finalists for right-hander Erick Fedde, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported on Monday night. Feinsand says that a deal is expected to be completed Tuesday and will likely be around two years and $10 million. Fedde had a huge year for the NC Dinos of the KBO in 2023, posting a 2.00 ERA with 209 strikeouts against just 35 walks in 180 1/3 innings, winning the league’s MVP award.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that Yoshinobu Yamamoto is the Mets’ top target for their starting rotation, though reigning NL Cy Young award winner Blake Snell could be a possible fallback. Heyman also notes that the Cubs have turned their attention to Rhys Hoskins since there’s a very low chance Pete Alonso gets moved.
The Mets officially announced the rest of their coaching staff behind Mendoza. Eric Chavez, Jeremy Barnes, Jeremy Hefner, Danny Barnes, and Glenn Sherlock remain from Buck Showalter‘s staff, while John Gibbons, Antoan Richardson, Jose Rosado, and Mike Sarbaugh are the newcomers.
Jay Horwitz wrote that Dwight Gooden is using this holiday season to give back. Gooden is looking to reach out to young kids to tell his story about learning from the mistakes he made. Last week, Gooden went to a middle school and high school in New Jersey, and he hopes to visit more schools before the end of the year.
Latest MLB News
Mark Bowman of MLB.com refuted the notion that the Braves are engaged with Ohtani’s camp, saying Atlanta hasn’t expressed interest. Bowman also writes that the Braves’ interest in Dylan Cease isn’t as significant as previously indicated, though they are still expected to make some significant moves.
The KBO officially posted Jung Hoo Lee and Woo-Suk Go on Monday. Teams will now have 30 days to negotiate a contract with them.
The Braves acquired former Mets first-round pick Jarred Kelenic along with Evan White and Marco Gonzales from the Mariners late Sunday night in exchange for right-handed pitchers Jackson Kowar and Cole Phillips. However, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that Atlanta doesn’t intend to keep Gonzales, who is expected to be included in another deal. The lefty is slated to make $12.25 million in 2024.
The Brewers officially signed top prospect Jackson Chourio to a record-setting eight-year, $82 million contract with two club options for 2032 and 2033. The 19-year-old is currently ranked the second-best prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline, trailing only Jackson Holliday. This past year, Chourio batted .283/.338/.467 with 22 homers, 91 RBIs, and 44 steals, mostly with Double-A Biloxi.
The Phillies have extended manager Rob Thomson through the 2025 season. Since taking over for Joe Girardi in the middle of 2022, Thomson has guided the Phillies to the NLCS twice and the 2022 NL Pennant.
The Brewers are re-signing left-hander Wade Miley to a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2025. The veteran southpaw pitched to a 3.14 ERA/4.69 FIP in 120 1/3 innings this past season. Milwaukee also agreed to a major league contract with righty Joe Ross. The 30-year-old hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2021.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told MLB Network on Monday that Mookie Betts will be the team’s everyday second baseman in 2024. The seven-time All-Star recorded 6 DRS in 485 innings at second base in 2023.
Katie Woo of The Athletic reported Monday that Yadier Molina will be a part of the Cardinals organization in 2024, though general manager John Mozeliak hasn’t finalized what the former catcher’s role will be. Molina won’t be on the team’s major league coaching staff full-time due to his family priorities in Puerto Rico.
Former Mets skipper Luis Rojas will remain as the Yankees’ third base coach, Andy Martino of SNY reports. Rojas’ contract had expired following the end of the season.
The Angels are re-signing right-hander José Marte to a minor league contract. Marte was non-tendered in November after he posted an 8.68 ERA in the majors during the season.
Latest on MMO
Mike Mayer recaps the slow-moving first day of the Winter Meetings in Nashville.
On This Date in Mets History
2002: The Mets sign two-time Cy Young award winner Tom Glavine to a three-year contract worth $35 million. The 36-year-old won 18 games and pitched to a 2.96 ERA in 224 2/3 innings in 2002 for the Braves.
2005: The Mets send minor leaguers Dante Brinkley and Gaby Hernandez to the Marlins in exchange for three-time All-Star catcher Paul Lo Duca. The 33-year-old has big shoes to fill, as he will be tasked with replacing Mike Piazza as the team’s starting backstop.
2022: The Mets find their replacement for Jacob deGrom, agreeing to a two-year, $86 million contract with three-time Cy Young winner Justin Verlander. The 39-year-old is fresh off winning his second World Series ring with the Astros and is the reigning AL Cy Young winner.
Birthdays: Al Moran (85), Cliff Floyd (51)
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