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Meet the Mets
On the eve of pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training, Sandy Claus delivered a present to Mets fans in the form of free agent Kevin Pillar.
The terms of the deal call for Pillar to earn $3.6 million in 2021, with either a $2.9 million player option with no buyout or a $6.4 million club option with a $1.4 million buyout in 2022. This results in a $3.25 million CBT.
With the addition of the right-handed center fielder, the Mets suddenlyhave themselves some outfield depth.
Jackie Bradley Jr. could still be a possibility for the Mets, especially if the universal DH becomes a reality. It’s unclear if this is still true after the Pillar signing.
The Mets are reportedly flirting with reliever Trevor Rosenthal to bolster their bullpen.
When it comes to pitchers in baseball, there is no competition: Jacob deGrom is at the top of the class.
SNY took its best shot at an early prediction for the team’s Opening Day 26-man roster.
USA Today Sports made their predictions for the 2021 season. They had the Mets winning 86 games, which puts them in second in the NL East. In this scenario, the Mets would nab the second Wild Card spot and a date with the Padres in a one-game elimination.
It seems the team’s best offer to free agent starter James Paxton was for $6 million.
If you were shocked that the Mets dealt away prospect Josh Winckowski, acquired in the Steven Matz traded, so quickly, you were not the only one. The pitcher was also caught off guard by the unexpected move.
Around the National League East
The Washington Post took a look at the new and improved National League East.
The Braves inked Jason Kipnis on a minor league deal with an invite to spring training.
The Braves announced their non-roster invitees for spring training.
The Phillies signed outfielder Travis Jankowski to a minor league deal.
Philly Voice compiled a bunch of expert projections, most of which show that the Phillies aren’t expected to do much this season.
Derek Jeter announced the Marlins will invite fans back to the park at 20% capacity to start the 2021 season.
Around Major League Baseball
MLB’s efforts to deaden the baseball will keep scrutiny and suspicion very much alive in 2021, writes David Lennon.
The Twins filled out their rotation by signing Matt Shoemaker to a one-year, $2 million deal.
The Red Sox are finalizing a two-year, $3 million deal with reliever Hirokazu Sawamura.
The Rockies signed C.J. Cron to a minor league deal.
Justin Wilson is heading back to the Yankees, whom he pitched for in 2015.
The other New York team wasn’t done inking ex-Mets, as they signed catcher Robinson Chirinos to a minor league deal.
The Yankees have traded for pitchers like Jameson Taillon in the past, and it hasn’t worked out. The club is hoping that it will be different this time around.
The Blue Jays traded Derek Fisher to the Brewers for A Player To Be Named Later and Cash Considerations.
Cleveland has signed Blake Parker on a non-roster deal that will pay him $2.5 billion if all incentives are hit.
Bartolo Colon has signed a one-year deal with Acereros de Monclova in the Mexican League.
The Cubs have hired Jared Banner, formerly the Executive Director of Player Development for the Mets, to be their Vice President of Special Projects.
Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue
Thomas Henderson helped you get acquainted with new Met Khalil Lee.
On Episode 101 of From Complex to Queens, the crew talked about the team’s lacking outfield depth, which inevitably led to Tim Tebow’s name being brought up.
This Date in Mets History
The baseball world lost the great Gary Carter on this day in 2012.