Good morning, Mets fans!
On Monday, Cardinals president of baseball operations stated that he would attempt to trade Nolan Arenado this season. By Tuesday, more details emerged regarding Arenado’s wish list in the event of a potential trade, which now seems increasingly likely. Arenado’s goal is to join a winning team, according to his agent Joel Wolfe. “…Let’s try and find a place where…he can jump in and help the team go to the next level,” Wolfe said. Among the teams Arenado would waive his no-trade clause for are the Dodgers, Padres, Angels, Phillies, Red Sox and your New York Metropolitans.
According to Mike Mazzeo of Sports Business Journal, Diamond Baseball Holdings are acquiring two of the Mets’ minor league affiliates in the Brooklyn Cyclones and Syracuse Mets. DBH now owns 38 minor league baseball teams, including the Binghamton Rumble Ponies.
David Stearns stated that Kodai Senga is a “healthy player progressing through his offseason.” He expects that Senga will be ready and fully ramped up by Opening Day 2025.
Jeff Passan of ESPN was the first to report that the Blue Jays were finalizing a deal to acquire infielder Andrés Giménez from the Cleveland Guardians. Fellow ESPN reporter Kiley McDaniel later tweeted that Spencer Horwitz would be heading to Cleveland in the trade, and The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal said that reliever Nick Sandlin would be sent to Toronto.
The Guardians then flipped Horwitz to the Pittsburgh Pirates, receiving Josh Hartle (PIT’s No. 17 prospect, per MLB Pipeline), Luis Ortiz, and Michael Kennedy (PIT’s No. 19 prospect) in return, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Additionally, the Pirates officially announced the trade late Tuesday.
Jeff Passan announced that Max Fried has agreed to an eight-year, $218 million deal with the Yankees, marking the largest guaranteed contract ever for a left-handed pitcher. Earlier, Ken Rosenthal wrote that the Yankees, Red Sox, and Blue Jays were all contenders for Fried. Jon Morosi of MLB Network added that the Yankees were initially prepared to offer a seven-year deal.
The Rangers re-signed right-hander Nathan Eovaldi on Tuesday to a three year, $75 million deal. Robert Murray of FanSided was the first to break the deal, while Jeff Passan and Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News provided contractual details.
The Rangers are acquiring Jake Burger from the Marlins, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported. Alden González of ESPN added the return, with prospects Echedry Vargas and Max Acosta along with lefty starter Brayan Mendoza.
The Dodgers officially announced their signing of former Mets outfielder Michael Conforto. Mark Feinsand was the first to report on Monday that the Dodgers agreed to a deal with Conforto.
Ryne Sandberg shared an unfortunate update on his situation battling prostate cancer. The Baseball Hall of Fame paid their respects to the Cubs legend.
Rocky Colavito passed away at the age of 91, as announced by the Guardians. Colavito amassed 7,559 plate appearances during his 14-year career, playing for Cleveland, the Tigers, and four other teams. Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family and loved ones from everyone here at MMO.
Outfielder Estevan Florial agreed to a deal with the Hanwha Eagles in Korea, per Jon Heyman. Florial, 27, had a .367 slugging percentage last year and has spent time in the big leagues for each of the past five years.
The Rockies signed middle infielder Thairo Estrada, reported Mark Feinsand on Tuesday. The deal is for one year, $3.25 million with a 2026 mutual option for $4 million ($750k buyout). Feinstand adds that if the option isn’t exercised, Estrada will still be arbitration-eligible.
MassLive’s Chris Cotillo reported that the Red Sox could have interest in James McCann as they search for a catcher to back up Connor Wong. However, Cotillo noted that he doesn’t believe anything is “close on McCann/Boston at this time.”
Reporter Ari Alexander revealed that reliever Yimi García has signed a two-year, $15 million deal with the Blue Jays. Toronto had dealt him to the Mariners at the 2024 Trade Deadline, but he now returns to Canada following a rough second half with the M’s.
Rumors have swirled about Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm, but manager Rob Thomson has stated that Bohm is not on the trading block. Bohm is coming off his first All-Star appearance, though his performance dipped from an .830 OPS before the All-Star Break to a .681 mark afterward.
Former Washington National Carter Kieboom has a minor league deal with the Angels, according to Aram Leighton of Just Baseball. Kieboom’s still just 27, but time is ticking for the 2016 first round pick.
The MLB Draft Lottery concluded on Tuesday, with the Nationals landing the first overall pick despite just a 10.2% chance of winning. Meanwhile, the Mets, Yankees and Dodgers each saw their first-round picks drop 10 spots due to exceeding the second threshold of the Competitive Balance Tax by more than $40 million.
Mike Mayer previewed the Rule 5 Draft.
Sean Kenny looked at Baseball Prospectus’ 2025 Mets Top Prospects.
1999: The Mets signed Todd Zeile to a three year, $18 million deal. The future SNY analyst was coming off a decent season with the Rangers where slashed .293/.354/.488.
Born On This Date: Jay Bell (1965), Derek Bell (1968), Mark Vientos (1999).
The post Morning Briefing: Nolan Arenado Reportedly Willing To Join Mets appeared first on Metsmerized Online.