The underachieving New York Mets have been quite busy ahead of the MLB trade deadline, dealing a number of veteran players in exchange for prospects. However, the team’s general manager Billy Eppler insists that this isn’t a “fire sale” and that the Mets are not heading towards a rebuild.

The Mets entered the 2023 campaign with the highest payroll in the league and expectations to compete for the World Series. But with 105 games already behind them, the New York team is at 50-55 and is a long shot to make the playoffs.

As a result, the Mets opted to move on from some of their high-paid veterans, trading closer David Robertson to the Miami Marlins and moving three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers.

“I do want to be clear that it’s not a rebuild. It’s not a fire sale,” Eppler told reporters on Sunday when asked about the moves. “It’s not a liquidation.”

Despite this, Eppler indicated that the franchise will remain busy as the trade deadline approaches.

“We’re going to listen, but our price points are high,” Eppler added. “We have valuations on our existing personnel, and the bar is high to meet it, but we are willing in certain circumstances to use Steve’s investment and kind of repurpose that investment to serve the larger goal, which is to build a championship organization.”

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The New York Mets decided to address their lackluster bullpen this week by executing a trade with the Seattle Mariners. The Mets received pitchers Trevor Gott and Chris Flexen while sending left-hand pitcher Zach Muckenhirn to Seattle.

Immediately after the trade became official, the Mets decided to designate Flexen for assignment. The New York team will be on the hook for $3.9 million of Flexen’s salary and can either trade him or outright release him.

Gott signed with the Mariners on a one-year, $1.2 million deal in November. He made 30 relief appearances and had a 0-3 record with a 4.03 ERA and 32 strikeouts. The Mets hope that the 30-year-old player will bring some stability to the bullpen that ranked in the bottom half of the league this season.

Flexen, who started his MLB career with the Mets, played 17 games in 2023 and made four starts with the Mariners. He has a 7.71 ERA for the season with 29 strikeouts and a 0-4 record.

Muckenhirn just recently saw his first MLB action. He made three appearances and had a 6.00 ERA.

Speaking with the reporters about the trade, Mariners’ manager Scott Servais said that the exchange of pitchers might benefit both teams.

“Trevor Gott, he did some good things for us. I thought he made some really nice improvements. That was a really good pickup for us in the offseason,” said Servais. “But this is an opportunity for those guys to go elsewhere. In the meantime, we get a player back, and we will use a couple of different players to fill that extra bullpen spot as we go forward.”

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National League batting champion Jeff McNeil has agreed to a four-year, $50 million contract extension with the New York Mets, sources confirmed on Friday.

Prior to reaching an agreement with the team, McNeil was set to go on an arbitration trial with the Mets as he requested $7.75 million. The team offered $6.25 million in response.

The deal, which is pending a physical, includes the option for a fifth year which would raise the value of the agreement to $63.75 million if activated.

McNeil’s decision to take a deal made sense given that it would be another two years before he would reach free agency, at which point he would be 33 years of age. Also, the market has not been rewarding contract-oriented players as of late, making his decision that much more straightforward.

With a career batting average of .307, McNeil remains one of the Mets’ biggest hitters. In 2022, he hit .326/.382/.454 with 39 doubles, 9 home runs, 62 RBIs, and just 61 strikeouts.

Following the deal, the Mets’ projected payroll plus tax is around $467 million; a figure that is set to exceed the current league record.

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Free agent Carlos Correa, who recently agreed to a 12-year, $315 million contract with the New York Mets, is set to work through a medical issue with his new team following a physical exam. The Mets confirmed that Correa’s medical revealed that the player is exhibiting the same issues with his right leg that were evident during his time with the San Francisco Giants.

Hours before agreeing to his Mets contract, Correa’s previous deal with the Giants was put on hold after the team expressed concern about the shortstop’s lower right leg. The player underwent surgery on this part of his leg back in 2014 after breaking his fibula during a minor league game.

While the contract between Correa and the Mets has not yet been signed by both parties, it is believed that the Mets are still likely the sign the player despite his injury setback. There is, however, the possibility that the contract will be reworked, either whereby the term will be shortened or his proposed pay rate is reduced.

In over eight seasons in the MLB, Correa has a .836 OPS. As one of four shortstops available on free agency, Correa was expected to earn the most of the four before his deal with the Mets was put on hold.

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Adam Ottavino has agreed to a two-year, $14.5 million contract with the New York Mets, sources confirmed on Wednesday. This sees the veteran reliever remain with the team for whom he posted a 2.06 ERA in 66 appearances this year.

Ottavino’s figures made him one of the most consistent relief pitchers in the National League last season. Due to his involvement in crucial moments throughout the season, the Mets were able to rack up 101 wins.

Famed for his fastball-slider mix, Ottavino has recorded a 3.44 ERA with 727 strikeouts and 274 walks. Following his peak in 2018 and 2019, Ottavino struggled to find his form in 2020 and 2021. This year, however, marks the revival of the 37-year-old player’s career. In 2022, Ottavino walked 4.1 batters per nine innings.

The Mets have been highly active in the market this winter, signing pitcher Justin Verlander for $86.6 million, Jose Quintana for $26 million, and David Robertson for $10 million. In addition, the team retained center fielder Brandon Nimmo, who signed for $162 million.

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The New York Mets have released veteran second baseman Robinson Cano on Sunday. The move comes after the franchise designated him for assignment earlier in May.

The Mets made this move even though Cano still had two years and $45 million left on his deal. The 39-year-old player is expected the get the full amount owed to him and is also free to sign with another MLB team.

Cano struggled in 2022 after not playing at all in 2021 due to a suspension. He batted .195 in 12 games this season while having only one home run and three RBIs. It remains to be seen if he’ll get a chance from another team to bounce back or if his career in the majors is over.

The Mets acquired Robinson Cano in a blockbuster trade with Seattle Mariners ahead of the 2019 MLB season. At that point, Cano had five years and $100 million left on the 10-year, $240 million contract he signed with the Mariners in 2013.

Cano battled injuries and inconsistency in his first year with the Mets, batting .256 with 13 home runs and 39 RBIs. He managed to improve his production in shortened 2020 MLB season with a batting average of.316, 10 homers, and 30 RBIs, but ended up being an outlier in his troubled stint with the Mets.

Cano, who started his MLB career with the NY Yankees in 2005, has eight All-Star appearances and World Series title from 2009 on his resume. His career stats include a .302 batting average, 2,632 hits, 335 home runs, and 1,305 RBIs.

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The New York Mets’ search for a new president of baseball operations is turning out to be a challenging one. According to MLB’s Anthony DiComo, the organization has had little success in attracting candidates so far and has already missed out on its top three choices for the position.

The Mets reportedly approached former Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs executive Theo Epstein, the Oakland Athletics’ executive vice president Billy Beane, and Milwaukee Brewers president David Stearns during the search but ended empty-handed. DiComo reports that Epstein and Beane withdrew their name out of the race while Stearns never got a chance to sit down with the New York team as the Brewers rejected their request for an interview.

This represents a big miss for the Mets, especially since all of the three candidates mentioned above are considered some of the best in their job. Epstein is credited for turning around the Cubs and helping the franchise win their first World Series since 1908, Beane’s efforts to keep the Athletics competitive despite a tight budget are legendary, while Stearns was the key figure in turning small-market Brewers into a playoff contender.

The Mets will now have to turn to other candidates, with DiComo mentioning the San Francisco Giants’ general manager Scott Harris and Cleveland Indians’ GM Mike Chernoff as alternatives the team is considering.

The Mets had an underwhelming 2021 MLB campaign that saw them miss the playoffs for the fifth straight year. The team made a great run early on but fizzled out in the second part of the season and finished with a 77-85 record.

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The New York Mets are getting ready to have a fresh start in 2022 after another disappointing season that saw them miss out on the playoffs for the fifth straight year. This will include a new face in the dugout as the team just announced they are parting ways with manager Luis Rojas.

Rojas saw his contract expire at the end of the 2021 season, but the Mets had the opportunity to extend it by picking up their team option for 2022. The organization decided not to do it and will instead be looking for a new manager.

According to the Mets’ official announcement, Rojas was offered to remain part of the franchise in a “to be determined” capacity.

Rojas has been part of the Mets organization since 2007 when he was hired as a manager of the Dominican Summer League Mets. He worked his way through the franchise ranks and became the quality control coach in 2019 before being promoted to managerial position one year after following Carlos Beltran’s exit.

In his two seasons at the job, Rojas led the Mets to a 103–119 record. The team finished fifth in the NL East in the shortened 2020 MLB season while ending this year on the third spot.

“The entire Mets organization is grateful for the dedication and devotion that Luis has exhibited over the last two seasons as manager,” said Mets president Sandy Alderson. “He has shown a great commitment to the Mets over many years in multiple capacities. These decisions are never easy, but we feel a change is needed at this time.”

The Mets are also expected to have a new general manager next season as Zack Scott is currently handling the GM duties on an interim basis.

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Tim Tebow has decided to stop chasing his dream of playing in the MLB. The former NFL quarterback and minors outfielder announced on Wednesday that he is putting an end to his baseball career.

Tebow spent the last four years with the New York Mets, playing in the minors and taking part in the team’s spring training each preseason. The Mets recently extended the invite for 2021 as well, but the 33-year-old athlete opted to take a pass and instead walk away from the game.

The news was confirmed by Tebow on social media. He thanked the Mets organization, fans, and teammates on Twitter while writing that he “loved every minute of the journey” but feels “called in other directions.”

“It has been a pleasure to have Tim in our organization, as he’s been a consummate professional during his four years with the Mets,” said Mets general manager Sandy Alderson in a statement.

After wrapping up his NFL career, Tim Tebow expressed interest in trying out baseball. He was previously an all-state player while in high school and received interest from MLB teams before deciding to pursue a football career.

Tebow agreed to a minor league deal with the Mets in 2016 and saw action with several of the team’s affiliates, including the Binghamton Rumble Ponies and Syracuse Mets. He batted .273 with six home runs and 36 RBIs with the Ponies in 2018 while managing just a .163 batting average, four homers, and 19 RBIs with Syracuse the following year.

Following the end of his baseball career, Tebow will most likely focus on broadcasting. He currently works as ESPN’s college football analyst.

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New York Mets right-hand pitcher Noah Syndergaard agreed to a one-year deal and managed to avoid going through an arbitration process. According to multiple reports, Syndergaard will earn $9.7 million in 2021.

The team announced the news on Tuesday on social media. The deal represents a good move for the Mets, as they are holding on to an important part of their rotation for at least one more year.

Since making his MLB debut for the franchise in 2015, Syndergaard posted a 47-30 record with a 3.31 ERA and 775 strikeouts. He was also an All-Star in 2016.

The 28-year-old veteran, on the other hand, gets the chance for a bounce-back season before entering free agency next year. Syndergaard missed the entire 2020 campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery in March but is expected to play at some point in the new season.

According to Mets manager Luis Rojas, Syndergaard is recovering well and is “a little bit ahead of schedule” in the rehab process.

“You know how Noah works and goes about it,” Rojas told reporters. “He’s a hard worker, so he’s a guy that was going to face this surgery and rehab the best you could face it. So he’s doing it as we expected.”

Despite locking Syndergaard, the Mets are expected to add more pitching help through free agency. They are reportedly interested in Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer and are expected to make a strong push for him in the following weeks.

The post Mets and Noah Syndergaard Avoid Arbitration, Agree to a 1-Year, $9.7 Million Deal appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The underachieving New York Mets have been quite busy ahead of the MLB trade deadline, dealing a number of veteran players in exchange for prospects. However, the team’s general manager Billy Eppler insists that this isn’t a “fire sale” and that the Mets are not heading towards a rebuild.

The Mets entered the 2023 campaign with the highest payroll in the league and expectations to compete for the World Series. But with 105 games already behind them, the New York team is at 50-55 and is a long shot to make the playoffs.

As a result, the Mets opted to move on from some of their high-paid veterans, trading closer David Robertson to the Miami Marlins and moving three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers.

“I do want to be clear that it’s not a rebuild. It’s not a fire sale,” Eppler told reporters on Sunday when asked about the moves. “It’s not a liquidation.”

Despite this, Eppler indicated that the franchise will remain busy as the trade deadline approaches.

“We’re going to listen, but our price points are high,” Eppler added. “We have valuations on our existing personnel, and the bar is high to meet it, but we are willing in certain circumstances to use Steve’s investment and kind of repurpose that investment to serve the larger goal, which is to build a championship organization.”

The post Mets are Not Having a “Fire Sale”, Says GM Billy Eppler appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The New York Mets decided to address their lackluster bullpen this week by executing a trade with the Seattle Mariners. The Mets received pitchers Trevor Gott and Chris Flexen while sending left-hand pitcher Zach Muckenhirn to Seattle.

Immediately after the trade became official, the Mets decided to designate Flexen for assignment. The New York team will be on the hook for $3.9 million of Flexen’s salary and can either trade him or outright release him.

Gott signed with the Mariners on a one-year, $1.2 million deal in November. He made 30 relief appearances and had a 0-3 record with a 4.03 ERA and 32 strikeouts. The Mets hope that the 30-year-old player will bring some stability to the bullpen that ranked in the bottom half of the league this season.

Flexen, who started his MLB career with the Mets, played 17 games in 2023 and made four starts with the Mariners. He has a 7.71 ERA for the season with 29 strikeouts and a 0-4 record.

Muckenhirn just recently saw his first MLB action. He made three appearances and had a 6.00 ERA.

Speaking with the reporters about the trade, Mariners’ manager Scott Servais said that the exchange of pitchers might benefit both teams.

“Trevor Gott, he did some good things for us. I thought he made some really nice improvements. That was a really good pickup for us in the offseason,” said Servais. “But this is an opportunity for those guys to go elsewhere. In the meantime, we get a player back, and we will use a couple of different players to fill that extra bullpen spot as we go forward.”

The post Mets Acquire Pitchers Trevor Gott and Chris Flexen From the Mariners appeared first on SportzBonanza.

National League batting champion Jeff McNeil has agreed to a four-year, $50 million contract extension with the New York Mets, sources confirmed on Friday.

Prior to reaching an agreement with the team, McNeil was set to go on an arbitration trial with the Mets as he requested $7.75 million. The team offered $6.25 million in response.

The deal, which is pending a physical, includes the option for a fifth year which would raise the value of the agreement to $63.75 million if activated.

McNeil’s decision to take a deal made sense given that it would be another two years before he would reach free agency, at which point he would be 33 years of age. Also, the market has not been rewarding contract-oriented players as of late, making his decision that much more straightforward.

With a career batting average of .307, McNeil remains one of the Mets’ biggest hitters. In 2022, he hit .326/.382/.454 with 39 doubles, 9 home runs, 62 RBIs, and just 61 strikeouts.

Following the deal, the Mets’ projected payroll plus tax is around $467 million; a figure that is set to exceed the current league record.

The post Mets’ Jeff McNeil Agrees to Four-Year Contract Extension appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Free agent Carlos Correa, who recently agreed to a 12-year, $315 million contract with the New York Mets, is set to work through a medical issue with his new team following a physical exam. The Mets confirmed that Correa’s medical revealed that the player is exhibiting the same issues with his right leg that were evident during his time with the San Francisco Giants.

Hours before agreeing to his Mets contract, Correa’s previous deal with the Giants was put on hold after the team expressed concern about the shortstop’s lower right leg. The player underwent surgery on this part of his leg back in 2014 after breaking his fibula during a minor league game.

While the contract between Correa and the Mets has not yet been signed by both parties, it is believed that the Mets are still likely the sign the player despite his injury setback. There is, however, the possibility that the contract will be reworked, either whereby the term will be shortened or his proposed pay rate is reduced.

In over eight seasons in the MLB, Correa has a .836 OPS. As one of four shortstops available on free agency, Correa was expected to earn the most of the four before his deal with the Mets was put on hold.

The post Mets Newcomer Carlos Correa Faces “Medical Issue” appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Adam Ottavino has agreed to a two-year, $14.5 million contract with the New York Mets, sources confirmed on Wednesday. This sees the veteran reliever remain with the team for whom he posted a 2.06 ERA in 66 appearances this year.

Ottavino’s figures made him one of the most consistent relief pitchers in the National League last season. Due to his involvement in crucial moments throughout the season, the Mets were able to rack up 101 wins.

Famed for his fastball-slider mix, Ottavino has recorded a 3.44 ERA with 727 strikeouts and 274 walks. Following his peak in 2018 and 2019, Ottavino struggled to find his form in 2020 and 2021. This year, however, marks the revival of the 37-year-old player’s career. In 2022, Ottavino walked 4.1 batters per nine innings.

The Mets have been highly active in the market this winter, signing pitcher Justin Verlander for $86.6 million, Jose Quintana for $26 million, and David Robertson for $10 million. In addition, the team retained center fielder Brandon Nimmo, who signed for $162 million.

The post New York Mets Sign Adam Ottavino on Two-Year Deal appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The New York Mets have released veteran second baseman Robinson Cano on Sunday. The move comes after the franchise designated him for assignment earlier in May.

The Mets made this move even though Cano still had two years and $45 million left on his deal. The 39-year-old player is expected the get the full amount owed to him and is also free to sign with another MLB team.

Cano struggled in 2022 after not playing at all in 2021 due to a suspension. He batted .195 in 12 games this season while having only one home run and three RBIs. It remains to be seen if he’ll get a chance from another team to bounce back or if his career in the majors is over.

The Mets acquired Robinson Cano in a blockbuster trade with Seattle Mariners ahead of the 2019 MLB season. At that point, Cano had five years and $100 million left on the 10-year, $240 million contract he signed with the Mariners in 2013.

Cano battled injuries and inconsistency in his first year with the Mets, batting .256 with 13 home runs and 39 RBIs. He managed to improve his production in shortened 2020 MLB season with a batting average of.316, 10 homers, and 30 RBIs, but ended up being an outlier in his troubled stint with the Mets.

Cano, who started his MLB career with the NY Yankees in 2005, has eight All-Star appearances and World Series title from 2009 on his resume. His career stats include a .302 batting average, 2,632 hits, 335 home runs, and 1,305 RBIs.

The post Mets Release Veteran 2B Robinson Cano Despite Owing Him $45 Million appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The New York Mets’ search for a new president of baseball operations is turning out to be a challenging one. According to MLB’s Anthony DiComo, the organization has had little success in attracting candidates so far and has already missed out on its top three choices for the position.

The Mets reportedly approached former Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs executive Theo Epstein, the Oakland Athletics’ executive vice president Billy Beane, and Milwaukee Brewers president David Stearns during the search but ended empty-handed. DiComo reports that Epstein and Beane withdrew their name out of the race while Stearns never got a chance to sit down with the New York team as the Brewers rejected their request for an interview.

This represents a big miss for the Mets, especially since all of the three candidates mentioned above are considered some of the best in their job. Epstein is credited for turning around the Cubs and helping the franchise win their first World Series since 1908, Beane’s efforts to keep the Athletics competitive despite a tight budget are legendary, while Stearns was the key figure in turning small-market Brewers into a playoff contender.

The Mets will now have to turn to other candidates, with DiComo mentioning the San Francisco Giants’ general manager Scott Harris and Cleveland Indians’ GM Mike Chernoff as alternatives the team is considering.

The Mets had an underwhelming 2021 MLB campaign that saw them miss the playoffs for the fifth straight year. The team made a great run early on but fizzled out in the second part of the season and finished with a 77-85 record.

The post Mets Miss Out On Top 3 Choices for President appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The New York Mets are getting ready to have a fresh start in 2022 after another disappointing season that saw them miss out on the playoffs for the fifth straight year. This will include a new face in the dugout as the team just announced they are parting ways with manager Luis Rojas.

Rojas saw his contract expire at the end of the 2021 season, but the Mets had the opportunity to extend it by picking up their team option for 2022. The organization decided not to do it and will instead be looking for a new manager.

According to the Mets’ official announcement, Rojas was offered to remain part of the franchise in a “to be determined” capacity.

Rojas has been part of the Mets organization since 2007 when he was hired as a manager of the Dominican Summer League Mets. He worked his way through the franchise ranks and became the quality control coach in 2019 before being promoted to managerial position one year after following Carlos Beltran’s exit.

In his two seasons at the job, Rojas led the Mets to a 103–119 record. The team finished fifth in the NL East in the shortened 2020 MLB season while ending this year on the third spot.

“The entire Mets organization is grateful for the dedication and devotion that Luis has exhibited over the last two seasons as manager,” said Mets president Sandy Alderson. “He has shown a great commitment to the Mets over many years in multiple capacities. These decisions are never easy, but we feel a change is needed at this time.”

The Mets are also expected to have a new general manager next season as Zack Scott is currently handling the GM duties on an interim basis.

The post NY Mets Part Ways with Manager Luis Rojas appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Tim Tebow has decided to stop chasing his dream of playing in the MLB. The former NFL quarterback and minors outfielder announced on Wednesday that he is putting an end to his baseball career.

Tebow spent the last four years with the New York Mets, playing in the minors and taking part in the team’s spring training each preseason. The Mets recently extended the invite for 2021 as well, but the 33-year-old athlete opted to take a pass and instead walk away from the game.

The news was confirmed by Tebow on social media. He thanked the Mets organization, fans, and teammates on Twitter while writing that he “loved every minute of the journey” but feels “called in other directions.”

“It has been a pleasure to have Tim in our organization, as he’s been a consummate professional during his four years with the Mets,” said Mets general manager Sandy Alderson in a statement.

After wrapping up his NFL career, Tim Tebow expressed interest in trying out baseball. He was previously an all-state player while in high school and received interest from MLB teams before deciding to pursue a football career.

Tebow agreed to a minor league deal with the Mets in 2016 and saw action with several of the team’s affiliates, including the Binghamton Rumble Ponies and Syracuse Mets. He batted .273 with six home runs and 36 RBIs with the Ponies in 2018 while managing just a .163 batting average, four homers, and 19 RBIs with Syracuse the following year.

Following the end of his baseball career, Tebow will most likely focus on broadcasting. He currently works as ESPN’s college football analyst.

The post Mets’ Tim Tebow Announces the End of his Baseball Career appeared first on SportzBonanza.

New York Mets right-hand pitcher Noah Syndergaard agreed to a one-year deal and managed to avoid going through an arbitration process. According to multiple reports, Syndergaard will earn $9.7 million in 2021.

The team announced the news on Tuesday on social media. The deal represents a good move for the Mets, as they are holding on to an important part of their rotation for at least one more year.

Since making his MLB debut for the franchise in 2015, Syndergaard posted a 47-30 record with a 3.31 ERA and 775 strikeouts. He was also an All-Star in 2016.

The 28-year-old veteran, on the other hand, gets the chance for a bounce-back season before entering free agency next year. Syndergaard missed the entire 2020 campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery in March but is expected to play at some point in the new season.

According to Mets manager Luis Rojas, Syndergaard is recovering well and is “a little bit ahead of schedule” in the rehab process.

“You know how Noah works and goes about it,” Rojas told reporters. “He’s a hard worker, so he’s a guy that was going to face this surgery and rehab the best you could face it. So he’s doing it as we expected.”

Despite locking Syndergaard, the Mets are expected to add more pitching help through free agency. They are reportedly interested in Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer and are expected to make a strong push for him in the following weeks.

The post Mets and Noah Syndergaard Avoid Arbitration, Agree to a 1-Year, $9.7 Million Deal appeared first on SportzBonanza.