Mets Morning News: Sugano weighs final offers from MLB teams, including the Mets

Meet the Mets

Two months into free agency, some Mets fans are already getting antsy, given the promise of big splashes that comes with new ownership. But any anger with Steve Cohen is premature, says Joel Sherman of the Post.

With Tomoyuki Sugano’s January 7 signing deadline approaching, he has arrived in America and is meeting with his agent to weigh final offers from MLB clubs and the Mets have “as good a chance as anyone” to sign the 31-year-old. However, Sugano is still wary of the COVID-19 situation in America and is factoring that into his decision.

Around the National League East

The Marlins are in the market for a corner outfielder, preferably one who plays right field and bats lefty, reports Joel Sherman.

The latest thinking on the J.T. Realmuto market is that the star catcher will give the Phillies the chance to match or top offers he gets from other teams, given his “fondness” for Philly.

Talking Chop takes a look at the Braves’ projected roster as things stand and evaluates gaps that still need to be filled this offseason.

Federal Baseball discusses how the Nationals’ decisions this offseason may impact the club’s long-term prospects for contention.

Around Major League Baseball

Nippon-Ham Fighters center fielder Haruki Nishikawa did not reach an agreement with an MLB club before his deadline yesterday. The 28-year-old will instead return to the Fighters for a tenth season.

After a miserable 2020 following his breakout debut, Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez wrote this New Year’s Day message on his Instagram: “Happy New Year, everyone. Thank you to all that supported me. I will prove you right. #iamstillgary” He is expected to remain the Yankees’ starting catcher come next season.

On Japanese radio, free agent pitcher Masahiro Tanaka said that his chances of returning to his native Japan next season are “not zero.” However, he dispelled rumors that he will only consider coming back to the Yankees or returning to Japan, writing in Japanese, “At this stage, we are not limiting the teams we want to play [for] next season, but we are thinking [about] all the teams that are interested in us.”

This Date in Mets History

The Mets released Bobby Bonilla on this date in 2000.