Morning Briefing: Mets May Still Be Involved in Imanaga Sweepstakes
Good morning, Mets fans!
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com said Thursday that the Mets are among the teams still involved in discussions with Japanese lefty Shōta Imanaga. The Giants, Red Sox, and Cubs are still in the running as well. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that Imanaga is expected to get north of $100 million, but he suggested that the Mets aren’t expected to be a factor in the bidding. The Yankees reportedly are not pursuing the 30-year-old because he’s too heavy of a fly-ball pitcher. Teams have just six more days to negotiate with Imanaga before his posting window expires.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that the Mets are linked to Hyun-jin Ryu, Sean Manaea, and Imanaga. MMO recently reported the interest in both Ryu and Manaea.
Shota Imanaga, Photo by Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Latest Mets News
The Mets have agreed to a one-year contract worth $10.5 million with center fielder Harrison Bader. The Bronxville native and Horace Mann alum split time with the Yankees and Reds in 2023. While the 29-year-old has battled injuries each of the last two seasons, he still posted a strong nine outs above average in 2023 and crushed left-handed pitching to the tune of a .936 OPS. Bader was also college teammates with Pete Alonso at the University of Florida.
The Mets are reportedly open to trading catcher Omar Narváez, who is set to make $7 million this season. Narvaez played in just 49 games in 2023, posting a disappointing .580 OPS with two home runs.
Bill Ladson of MLB.com spoke with new Mets bench coach John Gibbons, who was originally drafted by the team back in 1980. Gibbons expressed his gratitude towards the Mets organization for kickstarting his coaching career, which led to his tenure as the manager of the Blue Jays.
Latest MLB News
The Braves agreed to a two-year contract worth $38 million with newly acquired lefty Chris Sale. The deal also includes a club option for 2026 worth $18 million. The seven-time All-Star said it was an easy decision to waive his no-trade clause to Atlanta and that he grew up a Braves fan living in Florida.
The Rangers have hired Dave Bush to be their new Director of Pitching Strategy. Bush was dismissed by the Red Sox after a four-year stint as the team’s pitching coach. The 44-year-old also briefly pitched for the Rangers back in 2011.
Former Mets pitcher Denyi Reyes has signed with the Samsung Lions of the KBO. Reyes appeared in nine games for the Mets in 2023, recording a 7.78 ERA in 19 2/3 innings. The Lions have also parted ways with David Buchanan, who was the team’s ace for the last four years.
The White Sox have agreed to a minor-league contract with outfielder Brett Phillips. The 29-year-old can make $1.2 million if he reaches the majors. Phillips spent 2023 with the Angels, posting a .601 OPS in 71 plate appearances.
The Yankees claimed outfielder Bubba Thompson off waivers from the Reds. A former first-round pick, Thompson has a .591 OPS in the majors across 241 plate appearances, all of which were with the Rangers. He’s best known for his speed, where he ranks in the league’s 100th percentile, according to Statcast.
Latest on MMO
Jack Ramsey names his All-Mets Minors Team relief pitchers, righty Paul Gervase and lefties Nate Lavender and Daniel Juarez.
Allison Waxman profiles free agent starter Hyun-Jin Ryu.
Read our piece on the Mets signing Bader.
On This Date in Mets History
1994: After three disappointing seasons, the Mets trade outfielder Vince Coleman to the Royals in exchange for old friend Kevin McReynolds. The 34-year-old McReynolds played for the Mets from 1987-91, finishing third in MVP voting in 1988.
2008: The Mets send minor leaguers Corey Coles and Ryan Meyers to the Cubs in exchange for outfielder Angel Pagán. A former fourth-round pick by the Mets, Pagán posted a .745 OPS for the Cubs in 2007.
Birthdays: Nori Aoki (42), Eduardo Escobar (35)
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