Good morning, Mets fans!
Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami said Sunday that 2025 will be his last season playing in Japan. The 24-year-old recently re-signed with the Yakult Swallows for ¥600 million ($4 million USD). Murakami won the NPB Triple Crown and Central League MVP as a 22-year-old in 2022, clubbing 56 homers with a 1.168 OPS. In 2024, he batted .244/.379/.472 with 33 homers, though he also struck out 180 times in 610 plate appearances.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported that the Mets are showing interest in free-agent righties Walker Buehler and Clay Holmes. Sherman noted that the Mets are one of a few teams that have expressed interest in using Holmes as a starter. MMO’s Mike Mayer added that the Mets are targeting righty Mike Soroka, who pitched well after shifting to the bullpen with the White Sox. You can read our full breakdown of the rumors here.
The Mets have re-signed reliever Grant Hartwig and outfielder Alex Ramírez to minor-league deals. Both players were non-tendered last month.
Randy Miller of New Jersey Advanced Media reported Monday that the Red Sox are emerging as the favorites in the Juan Soto sweepstakes. Boston reportedly told Soto they plan on adding two more big-name stars this offseason.
Shohei Ohtani will recover $325,000 worth of baseball cards that were fraudulently purchased by his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, federal prosecutors said on Monday. Mizuhara is set to be sentenced on January 24.
The Rangers have signed catcher Kyle Higashioka to a two-year contract worth $13.5 million, with a mutual option for 2027. Higashioka batted .220/.263/.476 with a career-high 17 homers and 1.6 fWAR in 263 plate appearances for the Padres.
The Cubs have signed lefty Matthew Boyd to a two-year contract worth $29 million. Boyd made eight starts for the Guardians after recovering from Tommy John surgery, posting a 2.72 ERA with 46 strikeouts in 39 2/3 innings. He was strong in the postseason, allowing just one earned run over 11 2/3 innings in two starts.
Kevin Pillar told MLB Network that he’s open to playing in 2025. Pillar announced his retirement at the end of the season but said he still enjoys playing the game.
Nick Kalantzopolous takes a deep dive into Frankie Montas‘ numbers.
Kai Chang profiles fireballer Aroldis Chapman as a free agent.
Allison Waxman looks at three bench players for the Mets to consider.
1974: The Mets trade Tug McGraw, Don Hahn, and Dave Schneck to the Phillies in exchange for catcher John Stearns, outfielder Del Unser, and left-hander Mac Scarce. Unser is the most accomplished big leaguer in the return, having posted consecutive above-average offensive seasons while playing nearly every day for Philadelphia. McGraw departs New York with 86 saves and a 3.17 ERA over nine seasons.
Born On This Date: Dave Eilers (1936), Wayne Garrett (1947), Mark Bradley (1956), Darryl Hamilton (1964), Kevin Morgan (1969), Paul Byrd (1970), Tobi Stoner (1984), Matt Reynolds (1990).
The post Morning Briefing: Munetaka Murakami Plans to Leave Japan After 2025 Season appeared first on Metsmerized Online.
