Meet the Mets
Brad Hand could make a decision which team he’ll be signing with before the end of the weekend, reports Mark Feinsand. The Mets have been one of several teams in pursuit of the closer.
Former Met Ed Kranepool and others reflected on the staggering number of baseball legends that we have lost in the past year.
Mets outfield prospect Jacob Zanon has retired.
“In light of the discrimination claims filed against new owner Steve Cohen’s firm Point72 Asset Management, in the wake of Porter’s disastrous departure, the Mets can’t dig a hole any deeper when it comes to the question of their sensitivity toward women [by signing Trevor Bauer],” writes Ken Davidoff of the Post.
In a similar vein, in the aftermath of the Jared Porter incident, building a diverse front office would be “a necessary step toward the organization’s ambitiously progressive goals — goals which they have not yet achieved,” writes Andy Martino of SNY.
Around the National League East
The Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN)—the shared television home of both the Nationals and Orioles—has made massive programming and personnel cuts in the face of a lack of cash-flow.
The Nationals have emerged as a major player for Brad Hand.
The Marlins are one of the teams reportedly in on Yasiel Puig, along with the Yankees and Royals.
The Marlins have also checked in on a potential trade for Orioles outfielder Anthony Santander, reports Jon Heyman.
In the aftermath of the death of Braves legend Hank Aaron, there are calls for the team to change its name to the Hammers in his honor.
The Braves claimed outfielder Kyle Garlick and right-handed reliever Victor Arano off waivers from the Phillies.
The Good Phight—perhaps in an effort to talk themselves off the ledge—discusses whether Atlanta really makes sense as a landing spot for J.T. Realmuto.
Around Major League Baseball
In a new attempt at cost-cutting, the Orioles tried to defer roughly 25% of Anthony Santander and Trey Mancini’s arbitration salaries to 2022 and/or 2023. Both players rejected this proposal. Mancini eventually settled with the team for $4.75 million and Satander will be going to an arbitration hearing.
The Red Sox signed Garrett Richards to a one-year, $10 million deal. The Mets had reportedly been interested in Richards as well.
Details have emerged regarding the structure of George Springer’s contract with the Blue Jays, which includes incentives and a no-trade clause.
The Reds traded catcher Luke Berryhill to the Astros in exchange for lefty Cionel Pérez.
Joel Sherman of the Post argues that the risk the Yankees are taking with Corey Kluber may not end well for them.
The Cleveland baseball team has been given an extension on time to file an opposition to another party attempting to trademark the names Cleveland Guardians, Cleveland Warriors, Cleveland Natives, and Cleveland Foresters.
After already dealing a couple of other key players this offseason, the Pirates’ fire sale continues with Jameson Taillon as the next potential target.
Howard Bryant of ESPN recalls his first and last phone conversations with the late Hank Aaron.
This Date in Mets History
Ralph Kiner was elected to the Hall of Fame on this date in 1975.