Here is the latest buzz surrounding potential free agents and trade targets who could fit the Mets…
April 2, 6:20 p.m.
According to SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino, the proposed deal between the Mets and Padres is now “off,” per sources.
Martino reports that both the Padres and Dominic Smith were in favor of the trade, which would have sent Smith to the Padres in exchange for 1B Eric Hosmer, SP Chris Paddack, reliever Emilio Pagan and cash.
The deal would have increased the Mets’ pitching depth at the added cost of increasing their payroll, even with bringing in an extra $25 million from the Padres.
April 2, 2:05 p.m.
The Mets and Padres have a trade on the table that would send LF/1B Dominic Smith to San Diego in exchange for 1B Eric Hosmer, RHP Chris Paddack and another player plus money, SNY’s Andy Martino confirmed Saturday morning. The potential move is one that Smith would welcome, sources told Martin Saturday afternoon.
The Mets would also look to move Hosmer after acquiring him and approximately $30 million from the Padres, Martino added Saturday afternoon. The Chicago Cubs are a possibility, Martino said Saturday afternoon.
Mets manager Buck Showalter was asked Saturday afternoon about the reports that linked Smith to the Padres.
“I have conversations with Dom every day,” Showalter said. “In some form or fashion, just keeping that open. I think he’s — when you’re a good player like Dom, I think you’re used to having different scenarios discussed with you, when you play a position that, for instance, Pete (Alonso) plays and, for instance, (Mark) Canha plays.
“It’s actually — I know I look at it, I look at it as something that it’s nice to be wanted or liked or whatever, if that’s the case. But just because you view it that way doesn’t mean he views it that way. So I might look at it differently. But bad players don’t get talked about much.”
“If my opinion’s needed, (GM) Billy (Eppler) asks and has,” Showalter added. “But one of the most attractive things about this job is I knew that I could focus on managing the players that they provide for us.
“So Billy’s doing his thing, that’s his job and he’s got good people with him. So if they come and ask — which he has, about a couple things — I give him my opinion. But I don’t have any need to go down there and get involved unless I’m (needed).”
Some in the organization feel Travis Jankowski is a better fit with the Mets than Smith, according to Martino.
“Basically, Mets are just trying to decide right now whether to make this trade with the Padres,” Martino said Saturday morning
Others remain high on Smith.
“This deal risks selling very low on him,” Martino said Saturday morning.
Following what Martino first reported March 18, that San Diego had expressed interest in Smith and 2B Jeff McNeil, The Athletic broke Friday night into Saturday morning that the two sides have discussed a deal involving Hosmer and Paddack for Smith.
MLB Network added late Friday night into Saturday morning that the “Padres are deep in trade talks with a couple teams” focused on Hosmer, including the Mets and Cubs.
If the Mets proceed with this deal, they would also receive RHP Emilio Pagan, according a Saturday morning report by the New York Post, which adds that the Padres would take on “a significant amount of Hosmer’s deal plus trading Paddack.”
Eppler discussed the team’s depth Friday during a media availability that followed news of RHP Jacob deGrom‘s shoulder injury.
March 30, 10:05 p.m.
Michael Conforto is still yet to sign with a team this offseason, and we now appear to have a reason why.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Conforto’s agent Scott Boras said that the outfielder landed “irregularly” on his right shoulder diving for a ball during a workout in January. According to Boras, Conforto wanted to be 100 percent healthy before resuming contract talks.
Boras said, via Rosenthal, that discussions with clubs regarding Conforto restarted “about a week ago,” and that the reason Conforto is still unsigned is because of his health, not because of economic issues.
March 18, 2:26 p.m.
The Padres have expressed interest in Dom Smith and Jeff McNeil, sources told SNY’s Andy Martino.
However, it hasn’t progressed and remains a “long shot” that the Mets will trade either. Both are expected to stay, as is J.D. Davis.
Martino previously reported that the Mets were receiving plenty of calls on those three, but were not actively shopping them.
March 17, 12:53 p.m.
Jonathan Villar, who had a strong season for the Mets in 2021 while in a variety of roles — including 86 starts at third base — has signed with the Chicago Cubs, reports Robert Murray of FanSided.
There hadn’t been much buzz when it came to a potential Mets reunion with Villar.
The Mets’ bench this season will likely include Luis Guillorme and Robinson Cano, with Guillorme able to play third base, shortstop, and second base.
March 16, 6:23 p.m.
The Mets won’t be getting Kris Bryant, as he is signing a big deal with the Colorado Rockies. It was first reported by MLB Network’s Jon Heyman.
Bryant is signing a deal worth $182 million over seven years, so a $26 million AAV.
GM Billy Eppler did note at the start of spring training that he was very confident with the current position group of his roster, which hinted that he wouldn’t be making a big splash at least in that realm of free agency.
March 16, 10:59 a.m.
Though they added Adam Ottavino to their bullpen, the Mets are still looking in the reliever market, specifically for a lefty. Well, perhaps the best one is off the board now.
Andrew Chafin has signed with the Detroit Tigers on a two-year pact worth $13 million, according to Detroit Free Press’ Evan Petzold.
March 14, 4:04 p.m.
The Colorado Rockies are “aggressively pursuing” INF/OF Kris Bryant, with talks at the ownership level, reports Jon Heyman of MLB Network.
Bryant, 30, is among a handful of top position player free agents who remain unsigned with spring training underway.
In addition to Bryant, Freddie Freeman, Carlos Correa, Trevor Story, Nick Castellanos, Seiya Suzuki, Kyle Schwarber, and Michael Conforto are still on the market.
The Mets expressed interest in Bryant earlier this offseason, but a match now appears unlikely.
SNY’s Andy Martino recently reported that the Mets are being opportunistic with the remaining players on the market. And the odds of Bryant falling in the Mets’ lap if talks with the Rockies are at the ownership level seems remote.
March 14, 10:54 a.m.
The Philadelphia Phillies are signing Mets target Brad Hand, reports Jeff Passan of ESPN.
Hand will be getting a one-year deal worth $6 million.
After New York signed Adam Ottavino over the weekend, SNY’s Andy Martino reported that the Mets were still seeking a left-handed reliever.
“Mets have been looking for bullpen,” he said. “I would say that’s their top priority.”
Along with Hand, Martino listed free agent Andrew Chafin as a possibility for the Mets.
March 13, 1:09 p.m.
Another veteran has been added to the Mets’ bullpen, as the New York Post’s Joel Sherman first reported Adam Ottavino is headed to Queens. The deal is only for this year, worth $4 million with $1 million in performance incentives as well.
Ottavino obviously knows New York well, having spent time with the Yankees. But he has struggled these past couple seasons, owning a 5.89 ERA with the Yanks in 2020 followed by a 4.21 ERA with the Boston Red Sox last season.
It’s command issues that did Ottavino in, but the 36-year-old still has filthy stuff, especially his slider. If he can find the command again, he could be a very good bullpen arm in any situation Buck Showalter uses him.
March 13, 9:36 a.m.
Is a reunion with Brad Hand afoot (sorry I couldn’t help myself with that one)?
Seriously, though, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman says the veteran lefty reliever is on the Mets’ radar.
With Aaron Loup out of the picture, the Mets could use a solid left-hander out of the bullpen. Hand spent 16 games with the Mets in 2021, his third team during a struggling year. But he found better luck in Queens, pitching to a 2.70 ERA and 1.2 WHIP.
Heyman also adds that Andrew Chafin, another veteran lefty, could be an option for the Amazins’ as well.
March 12, 8:36 p.m.
Jeurys Familia is reportedly on his way out of Queens, but he won’t be going all that far.
Per multiple reports, the 32-year-old right-hander is signing with the Philadelphia Phillies, keeping him in the NL East.
Mike Puma of the New York Post reports Familia is signing a one-year deal worth $6 million, though it can be worth up to $7 million.
Familia, who ranks third in Mets franchise history with 124 saves, has spent just about all of his 10-year big league career with the franchise, except for a half-season with the Oakland A’s in 2018. His 469 regular season games also rank third in Mets history, trailing only John Franco and Pedro Feliciano.
In 2021, Familia appeared in 65 games, pitching to a 3.94 ERA and 1.416 WHIP. He struck out 72 batters and walked 27 in his 59.1 innings.
March 12, 3:18 p.m.
Much has been made of the so-called “Steve Cohen Threshold” of the Competitive Balance Tax (CBT), which would come into play if a team’s payroll hits $290 million.
It sounds like Cohen himself would have no problem hitting that number, but only for the right players.
SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino reports the Mets would likely exceed that threshold “if the right opportunity came along.”
Martino adds that while the Mets “didn’t get far down the road” on Yusei Kikuchi, who signed a three-year deal with Toronto, the team is looking at the trade and free agent market for depth pitching, while remaining opportunistic about anything that comes about.
March 11, 6:38 p.m.
MLB free agency is in full swing, but that’s not the only way clubs are looking to upgrade.
According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Mets are said to be “actively working” in the trade market trying to move some of their veteran position players.
Olney’s report did not mention any players by name, but it’s logical to think the Mets may be looking to trade veterans like Jeff McNeil, J.D. Davis or even Dominic Smith.
SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino reports that the Mets are getting plenty of calls about those three, but are not actively shopping those players.
Meanwhile, one name the Mets are looking into, per Martino, is Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed starter Luke Weaver.
March 11, 4:14 p.m.
Carlos Rodon, whom SNY’s Andy Martino noted would’ve been a “nice fit” for the Mets, is in agreement with the San Francisco Giants on a two-year, $44 million deal that includes an opt-out after the first season, reports ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Martino had reported that clubs that had seen his medicals said they’re “actually very good.”
March 11, 3:41 p.m.
The Miami Marlins are among the teams interested in signing Michael Conforto, reports Joe Frisaro of Man on Second.
Meanwhile, Mike Puma of The New York Post reported that the Yankees and Arizona Diamondbacks were among the teams interested in Conforto before the lockout.
The Yankees have a crowded corner outfield and DH situation, so it’s unclear where Conforto would fit.
When it comes to a potential Mets reunion with Conforto, SNY’s Andy Martino reported on March 10 that there are some in the organization who want Conforto back, but that the “prevailing sentiment” is that it’s an unlikely fit.
March 11, 9:22 a.m.
Clubs who have seen free agent LHP Carlos Rodon‘s medicals say they’re “actually very good,” reports SNY’s Andy Martino, who adds that Rodon would be a nice fit for the Mets.
Rodon, 29, was in the Cy Young conversation last season while pitching for the Chicago White Sox before issues with his shoulder interrupted his year.
Those shoulder issues led to an alarming drop in velocity, and Rodon made just six starts between July 30 and the end of the season, never going more than five innings.
Overall in 2021, Rodon had a 2.37 ERA (2.65 FIP) and 0.95 WHIP with 12.6 K/9 in 132.2 innings over 24 starts.
If healthy, Rodon would be a near-perfect fit for the Mets, who are in need of a starting pitcher with upside who can slot in behind Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer.