Mets News and Morning Links - 12/12/2024

 

Good Morning.  Happy Birthday Former Syracuse Met Ervin Santana.  Mets officially sign Juan Soto - will be introduced to media today, Mets lose 9 players - gain 1 in the Rule 5 Draft, and Jose Siri, Joey Meneses, and Joshua Cornielly shine in Winter Ball.

Section Links: Mets Links, MLB Links, Winter Baseball, and This Day in Mets History.

Mets Links: 

PRESS RELEASE: METS SIGN FOUR-TIME ALL-STAR JUAN SOTO - PRESS CONFERENCE TOMORROW 3 PM "The New York Mets today announced that the club has signed outfielder Juan Soto to a 15-year major league contract with a club option and contingent player opt-out after the 2029 season. The Mets will hold a press conference December 12, 2024, to formally announce the signing...at 3:00 p.m...'This is a seminal moment in franchise history,' Mets Owners Steve and Alex Cohen said. 'Juan Soto is a generational talent. He is not only bringing staggering historical statistics with him but also a championship pedigree. Our Amazin' fan base is very excited to welcome Juan to Queens.'"

Mike Puma NY Post: Juan Soto’s historic Mets deal could be worth even more with bonuses. "The outfielder passed his physical on Wednesday, making official the record 15-year contract worth $765 million to which he agreed over the weekend...Soto won’t receive deferrals in his deal, but the contract contains an opt-out after the fifth season...The Mets can void the opt-out by agreeing to raise his base salary from $51 million to $55 million for the final 10 years of the contract...Soto also received a $75 million signing bonus." 

Jon Heyman NY Post: Juan Soto’s record Mets contract gives him No. 22 alongside slew of unusual perks. "Juan Soto’ contract details were obtained, and even beyond the historic $765 million in salary, with escalators that could bring it $805M, an opt-out after five years, a full no-trade, awards bonuses (including $500K for a first MVP and $1M for each subsequent MVP), there are unusual perks galore...a luxury suite at Citi Field, plus four premium tickets to home games."

NY Post: How Francisco Lindor survived the Juan Soto decision drama: ‘Biting my nails’ "'Just like a fan, [I was] enjoying the whole process,' Lindor told MLB.com.

Mike Puma NY Post: Pete Alonso’s free agency market heating up after Juan Soto’s massive Mets deal. "'A lot of market locomotion regarding Pete, the Polar Bear Express is rolling,' Boras said. 'Power in this game is such a commodity and you can see as we filter through the market the availability of power is something most teams recognize as a core lineup need.'”

Tim Healey Newsday: Mets miss out on pitcher Garrett Crochet, still have moves to make. "...David Stearns said...he didn’t know how serious of a suitor the White Sox viewed the Mets before they dealt Crochet to the Red Sox on Wednesday for a package of four minor-leaguers, including two of the top five in their farm system...Already, the Mets have surpassed MLB’s initial luxury-tax level of $241 million. FanGraphs estimates their 2025 payroll to be at $252 million.The Mets’ most obvious remaining needs: a corner infielder and another starting pitcher."

NY Daily News: Scott Boras expects high ‘demand’ for Mets target Sean Manaea."The Mets are still interested in bringing Manaea back to Queens. The interest level could increase after the team missed out on right-handed ace Garrett Crochet"

12/11/24: Mets Lose Vasil. Lavender, 7 others - Gain 1 in the 2024 Rule 5 Draft Mets pick up Michael Hobbs, RHP from the Dodgers Double-A, lose LHP Nate Lavender, RHP Mike Vasil, RHP Jawilme Ramirez, RHP Nolan Clenney, RHP Joseph Yabbour, RHP Hobie Harris, SS Junior Tilien, C Drake Osborn and RHP Landon Marceaux - Mets lost more players than any other team.

NY Post: Gary Cohen, John Sterling and Dave Sims fall short of Hall of Fame’s Ford C. Frick Award. "A smattering of hometown voices were finalists for the 2025 Ford C. Frick Award, presented annually for excellence in broadcasting by the National Baseball Hall of Fame, but it’s the Guardians’ Tom Hamilton who will be inducted into Cooperstown next July."

David Stearns on losing Nate Lavender and Mike Vasil in the Rule 5 Draft:

"Those are two good pitchers. We knew these were possibilities. We simultaneously wish them well and also hope to get them back" pic.twitter.com/RGqkD0ftyC

— SNY (@SNYtv) December 11, 2024

David Stearns meets with @SteveGelbs to talk about the Mets' starting rotation plans, the organization's willingness to move top prospects, and how he and the Mets view some of those top prospects heading into 2025 pic.twitter.com/zOmDriRxm5

— SNY (@SNYtv) December 11, 2024

"The market for him right now is still being established"@JimDuquetteGM joins @sal_licata on BNNY to discuss Pete Alonso's market and other potential Mets offensive targets this offseason: https://t.co/DNJW0vlU4m

➡️ Tri-State @Cadillac pic.twitter.com/nuehGPKkrd

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) December 11, 2024

.@JimDuquetteGM joins @sal_licata on BNNY to discuss the Mets' starting pitching options, including Nick Pivetta, Roki Sasaki, and Sean Manaea: https://t.co/DNJW0vlU4m

➡️ Tri-State @Cadillac pic.twitter.com/1bOwfcJyyy

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) December 11, 2024

"This is second to winning a World Series, getting a player of this caliber." - @DPLennon

Dave, @JimDuquetteGM, @Todd_Zeile and @SteveGelbs discuss the Mets' "Everest moment" of signing Juan Soto: https://t.co/LiDUwhrHgo pic.twitter.com/JZfcwDTHCv

— SNY (@SNYtv) December 11, 2024

"A scout I talked to... he actually went as far as to say this is a guy that could have a Paul Skenes-type impact in his first year in the major leagues"@DPLennon, @Todd_Zeile, @JimDuquetteGM and @SteveGelbs talk Roki Sasaki on Mets Hot Stove: https://t.co/LiDUwhrHgo pic.twitter.com/zGrFy4m8os

— SNY (@SNYtv) December 11, 2024

.@JonAlba and @john_jastremski join @emacSNY to discuss the Mets missing out on Garrett Crochet, the Mets' reported willingness to trade Starling Marte, and the Yankees' push to acquire Kyle Tucker from the Astros https://t.co/nbLV7ufnvm

➡️ @Honda pic.twitter.com/jxmicFZQnk

— SNY (@SNYtv) December 12, 2024

The Mets are reportedly willing to pay down some of Starling Marte's contract in a trade https://t.co/uKalOkm4GE pic.twitter.com/bB0nJ0AD03

— SNY (@SNYtv) December 11, 2024

We may have gotten the first 2, but go get yourself a Juan Soto @mets jersey at the Team Store tomorrow at 10 AM.

The future is BRIGHT pic.twitter.com/b0zQG2RZMx

— Vito Calise (@VitoFCalise) December 11, 2024

Mets.com: 

• Mets, Soto finalize record-breaking 15-yr, $765M deal
• Mets to formally introduce Juan Soto on Thursday after making signing official
• After Soto splash, Mets remain committed to 'acquiring the best talent'
• Lindor on Soto: 'He’s the right man for the job'
• Mets lose 2 pitching prospects in Rule 5 Draft

Yahoo Sports/Mets:

• Scott Boras expects high ‘demand’ for Mets target Sean Manaea
• New York Yankees Re-Sign Promising Reliever to One-Year Deal
• Yankees GM Brian Cashman defends decision to not offer Juan Soto a free Yankee Stadium suite
• MLB free agency: Trade market heats up with Garrett Crochet headed to Red Sox. Will Kyle Tucker be dealt next?
• Mets lose pitching prospects Mike Vasil, Nate Lavender in Rule 5 Draft
• Mets willing to pay down some of Starling Marte’s contract in trade: report
• Mets to meet with free agent Nick Pivetta's representatives: report

Metsmerized: 

• Soto Passes Physical, Historic Deal Official
• Mets Open to Trading Starling Marte
• Mets Lose Nate Lavender, Mike Vasil in Rule 5 Draft
• BREAKING: Garrett Crochet Traded to Red Sox
• Boras: ‘Mets Committed To Acquiring The Best Talent’
• Report: Mets Meeting With Nick Pivetta
• MMO Roundtable: Reactions to Soto Joining the Mets
• Free Agent Profile: Mike Soroka, RHP
• Juan Soto Press Conference Set for Thursday

Amazing Avenue: 

• Mets make Juan Soto signing official, schedule introductory press conference
• Mets interested in Pivetta, open to trading Marte, lose out on Crochet
• Mets lose two pitchers in Rule 5 draft
• Open thread: The Rule 5 draft
• Free agent profile: David Robertson
• Grading the Mets’ Frankie Montas signing
• A Mets Rule 5 draft history

Mets360:

Mets Daddy: 

• Mets Should Move Quickly On Ryne Stanek

Mack's Mets:

SportSpyder Mets Links: 

Winter Baseball:

In the Dominican - 

12/11/24 Box Score: Toros del Este 3 Gigantes del Cibao 2

• Jose Siri RF 1 for 4, 1 run scored, 2 stolen bases.

Tonight in the Dominican, New @Mets OF Jose Siri Steals 3rd and, on the very next play, steals home. #Mets #LGM #MetsTwitter @ernestdove @FarmToFlushing @bkfan09 @WexlerRules @bronxfanatic @ImAriBeRKO @draftniks @TheBaseballHut @BrianGerhauser @HHec13 pic.twitter.com/LMX7H1wUZm

— Mets News and Links (@JohnFromAlbany) December 12, 2024

In Venezuela -

12/11/2024 Box Score: Tigres de Aragua 2 Cardenales de Lara 1

• Luisangel Acuna SS 0 for 4;
• Daniel Juarez 1 inning, no runs, 1 hit, 1 K;

Leones del Caracas 12 Tiburones de La Guaira 4 (Box Score)

• Joshua Cornielly (W,3-0) 1.1 innings, no runs, 1 hit, 1 K;

In Mexico -

12/11/2024 Box Score: Tomateros de Culiacan 7 Aguilas de Mexicali 3

• Joey Meneses 1B 3 for 4, double, 1 RBI;

Yaquis de Obregon 1 Mayos de Navojoa 0 (Box Score)

• Brooklyn Cyclone Kevin Villavicencio; 2B 0 for 0, 1 walk; 2 Sacs; 

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Today in Mets History Per Ultimatemets.com: 

Born on this date:

• Ervin Santana (1982)
• Germain Noriega (2003)

Died on this date:

• Rube Walker (1992)

Transactions:

New York Mets traded Jim Gosger and Bob Heise to the San Francisco Giants for Ray Sadecki and Dave Marshall on December 12, 1969.

New York Mets traded Rusty Staub and Bill Laxton to the Detroit Tigers for Mickey Lolich and Billy Baldwin on December 12, 1975.

New York Mets traded Gene Clines to the Texas Rangers for Joe Lovitto on December 12, 1975.

New York Mets traded Roy Lee Jackson to the Toronto Blue Jays for Bob Bailor on December 12, 1980.

New York Mets signed free agent Orlando Mercado of the Minnesota Twins on December 12, 1989.

New York Mets traded Alex Ochoa to the Minnesota Twins for Rich Becker on December 12, 1997.

New York Mets signed free agent Jose Valentin of the Los Angeles Dodgers on December 12, 2005.

New York Mets traded Scott Schoeneweis to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Connor Robertson on December 12, 2008.

Ambiorix Burgos granted free agency on December 12, 2008.

New York Mets claimed Jeremy Hefner on waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates on December 12, 2011.

Michael Cuddyer announced his retirement on December 12, 2015.

Arizona Diamondbacks signed Sam Clay of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 12, 2022.

National Pastime.com:

1975	The Tigers trade pitcher Mickey Lolich and outfielder Billy Baldwin to the Mets in exchange for outfielder Rusty Staub and pitcher Bill Laxton. New York's new southpaw will post an 8-13 record, spending just one year in the Big Apple, while Detroit will enjoy a steady performance from their recently acquired flycatcher and DH, who will bat .275 during his three-plus seasons in the Motor City.
2007	Paul Lo Duca and the Nationals agree to a $5 million, one-year deal that puts the former Mets catcher behind Washington's home plate. The free-agent backstop became expendable and much-needed in the same instance when New York dealt Lastings Milledge to get the Nats starting catcher, Brian Schneider.

2008

The Mets, reeling from their second consecutive season-ending collapse, continue to overhaul their much-maligned bullpen, which had 29 blown saves in 72 chances (40%). Scott Schoeneweis joins Joe Smith and Aaron Heilman in becoming the latest New York reliever to be traded as the southpaw is dealt to the Diamondbacks for Connor Robertson, a right-hander acquired by Arizona in the Dan Haren deal.

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