Good morning, Mets fans!
Pete Alonso remains a free agent, as the first base market has not developed as nicely as he would have hoped. According to multiple reporters, that bodes well for the Mets in their hopes to re-sign their homegrown player.
On MLB Network on Friday, reporter Jon Morosi said, “I still do not see any team in the major leagues that has a better chance of signing Alonso than the New York Mets.”
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal then appeared on Foul Territory on Friday, also talking about Alonso’s free agency. Like Morosi, Rosenthal called the Mets the “logical” landing spot for the slugger. At this point, it would be a surprise if Alonso plays anywhere but Queens in 2025.
Pete Alonso, photo by Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Sean Manaea has several bonuses included in his three-year, $75 million contract with the Mets, including five-figure bonuses for earning an All-Star nod, a Gold Glove, and finishing top-three in Cy Young balloting. He’ll also earn $100,000 if he is named World Series MVP and $50,000 if he’s named LCS MVP.
Carlos Beltrán, who currently serves in the Mets front office as a special assistant to David Stearns, will be the general manager for Team Puerto Rico in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
The Mets hired Andrew Riddell, who currently serves as a national player development manager for Baseball Australia, as an international scout. In a post on X, Riddell noted he will remain in his role with Baseball Australia while serving as a scout for the Mets.
The Orioles announced that they signed starter Charlie Morton to a one-year contract. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com noted the deal is for $15 million. The 41-year-old has been in the league since 2008 and was with the Braves since 2021. He’s not as effective as he used to be, but he remains a workhorse even in his 40s: the last time he started less than 30 games in a full season was in 2017, when he started 25 games.
The Dodgers signed Korean infielder Hyeseong Kim to a three-year deal on Friday. The New York Post’s Jon Heyman was first on the money, noting the deal is for $12.5 million guaranteed with a chance to earn as much as $22 million. The 25-year-old Kim’s best tools are contact and speed, as he had a .304 batting average and averaged 30 stolen bases per year in seven full seasons in the KBO. He doesn’t have much power as he only hit 37 home runs across those seven years, recording more triples (39) than long balls.
In a corresponding move, the Dodgers DFA’d catcher Diego Cartaya. The 23-year-old was once considered a top prospect but has not performed well in the upper minor leagues.
Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes was asked if the team has been granted a second meeting with coveted free agent pitcher Roki Sasaki. Gomes replied, “Not able to say at this time. I hope so.”
Walker Buehler, the newest Red Sox player, said that he has made a pitch to Alex Bregman to join him in Boston.
Mathias Altman-Kurosaki profiles reliever Chris Martin as a potential free agent target for the Mets.
Christian De Block profiles first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as a potential trade target for the Mets.
2005: Darryl Strawberry fell off the Hall of Fame ballot on this day 20 years ago after receiving just six votes in his first year of eligibility.
Born On This Date: Kevin Pillar (1989), Daryl Boston (1963), Paul Gibson (1960), Bart Shirley (1940).
The post Morning Briefing: Mets Remain Likeliest to Sign Pete Alonso appeared first on Metsmerized Online.
