**Summary:**The Detroit Tigers' star pitcher, Tarik Skubal, is now expected to stay with the team, despite earlier trade speculation. This decision aligns with the Tigers' goal of contending immediately and allows them to potentially receive draft pick compensation if Skubal leaves in free agency. The New York Mets, who were actively seeking top-tier starting pitching, may now need to explore other options for their rotation.

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Atlanta Braves make strategic moves, hiring former New York Mets coaches Jeremy Hefner and Antoan Richardson. Hefner, known for his individualized pitching plans and tech integration, and Richardson, an expert in baserunning and outfield instruction, join the Braves to strengthen their team for the upcoming season. The Mets will now face familiar faces in the opposing dugout thirteen times a season.

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Get ready, Mets fans! The future is bright as the team's top minor league prospects are making waves in the Arizona Fall League. Standout players like Nolan McLean, Carson Benge, Jett Williams, Jonah Tong, and Brandon Sproat are poised to reach the major leagues by 2025, with some potentially impacting the roster as early as 2026. Plus, undrafted prospect John Bay and pitcher Jenkins are showcasing impressive skills, adding to the excitement surrounding the Mets' future.

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Undrafted to the Arizona Fall League: John Bay's Remarkable Baseball JourneyJohn Bay, an undrafted baseball player, defied the odds and landed in the Arizona Fall League after a series of impressive performances and relentless advocacy from his coach. Despite being overlooked in the MLB draft, Bay's exceptional skills, including twenty-four home runs and a .928 on-base plus slugging percentage, caught the attention of the New York Mets. With a free agent offer from Kevin Whiteside, Bay's perseverance paid off, leading him to a successful season and now, the Arizona Fall League.

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The New York Mets face a pivotal offseason, with a major decision looming over their star first baseman, Pete Alonso. After a disappointing season, the team is considering Alonso's future, as his contract is set to expire. Alonso, who hit 38 home runs and drove in 126 runs this season, could command a five-year, $140 million deal. However, his age and the team's financial commitments to other players, like Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor, complicate the situation. The Mets must balance retaining key talent with addressing other roster needs, particularly pitching, as they aim to return to contention.

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New York Mets pitcher Frankie Montas, despite a disappointing season due to injuries, has decided to exercise his seventeen million dollar player option for the upcoming season. This move comes as MLB's free agency period begins, with many players weighing their futures. Montas's decision is largely due to his limited availability and high earned run average, making free agency a less attractive option. The Mets, who signed him to a two-year, thirty-four million dollar deal, will now have to wait until the two thousand twenty-six season for his return, as he undergoes Tommy John surgery recovery.

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The New York Mets are actively seeking a top-tier starting pitcher for their rotation this winter, with a focus on acquiring a number one or two type of arm. While an ace like Tarik Skubal is ideal, the market appears limited. The Mets are considering free agents like Ranger Suarez, Framber Valdez, Dylan Cease, and Michael King, as well as trade possibilities such as Miami Marlins' Sandy Alcantara. Alcantara, a Cy Young winner, has shown improvement post-surgery and is under team control through 2027, but his inconsistent performance and the Marlins' high asking price pose challenges.

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Trent Grisham, a power-hitting outfielder, is a hot commodity in free agency, with the New York Mets emerging as the top contender for his services. Despite his earlier struggles, Grisham's impressive 2022 season, including 34 home runs and a 3.5 bWAR, has made him a highly sought-after player. The Mets, in need of a center fielder, could potentially sign Grisham, while the Yankees, with a crowded outfield, seem less likely to re-sign him. This offseason promises intense competition and strategic moves for these big market teams.

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In the face of Pete Alonso's potential free agency, the New York Mets consider a bold move: signing Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto. Known for his versatility and ability to play both corner infield positions, Okamoto could fill the power void left by Alonso. Despite the risks associated with signing a player from Nippon Professional Baseball, the Mets, eager to avoid another late-season collapse, see this as a strategic gamble to strengthen their lineup and demonstrate their commitment to winning.

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The New York Mets made significant roster moves, declining Drew Smith's option and picking up Brooks Raley's, while acquiring Joey Gerber from the Rays. Frankie Montas exercised his player option despite injury, and the Mets signed Brandon Waddell. With the offseason approaching, the team is considering trade targets and free agent acquisitions, as hosts Connor and Joe discuss the future of key players like Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz.

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The New York Mets face a critical offseason following a heartbreaking 2025 season, where they missed the postseason by a narrow margin despite having the league's highest payroll. Key players like Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz have opted out, while others like Frankie Montas and A.J. Minter have exercised their options. The team's future hinges on these decisions and the players' ability to improve their performance.

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Pete Alonso, the New York Mets' star first baseman, has officially become a free agent after declining his player option. Despite the team's playoff miss, Alonso had a remarkable season, leading the league in home runs and runs batted in. He also holds the team record for career home runs. As the Mets make other roster moves, Alonso explores his options, with his market value estimated at around $147.2 million over five years. Will he stay in New York or test the open market?

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📣 Exciting times ahead for baseball fans! Juan Soto, a Met's rival, is a finalist for the NL MVP, alongside Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Schwarber. Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz have opted out of their contracts, becoming free agents. A.J. Minter has opted in, returning to the Mets. Justin Williard is a top candidate for the pitching coach position, and the Mets are considering big moves this winter. Around the league, the Braves hired Walt Weiss, the Marlins named Gabe Kapler as GM, and the Dodgers celebrated their World Series win. The BBWAA Awards finalists and the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee ballot, including three former Mets, have been announced.

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In a critical offseason for the New York Mets, the team faces significant challenges after a disappointing 2025 season. With their pitching staff's ERA at 4.03 and key players like Edwin Diaz and Pete Alonso entering free agency, the Mets must navigate the open market to strengthen their bullpen and potentially first base. The team recently acquired Joey Gerber from the Rays, but a return to form for Diaz and a solid replacement for Alonso remain crucial in reshaping the roster and setting the franchise's direction for the 2026 season.

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Brandon Waddell, a versatile left-handed pitcher, returns to the New York Mets for another season after a successful 2025 campaign. With a 3.45 ERA over 11 appearances, Waddell proved his worth, having previously pitched in the majors and in Korea. His swingman role, allowing him to start, finish, and relieve games, was crucial for the team. The Mets also acquired reliever Gerber from the Rays, strengthening their pitching staff. Waddell's new contract secures his spot on the major league roster, but his flexibility may be limited due to losing his minor league option.

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The New York Mets have added pitching depth to their bullpen by acquiring right-handed pitcher Joey Gerber from the Tampa Bay Rays for cash. Gerber, 28, has a 3.60 ERA in 20 MLB innings and spent most of 2025 in the Rays' Triple-A affiliate. The Mets also exercised their club option on lefty reliever Brooks Raley for 2026, while declining their option on reliever Drew Smith. Additionally, the Mets signed lefty Brandon Waddell to a one-year major league contract for 2026.

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In a recent trade, the New York Mets acquired reliever Joey Gerber from the Tampa Bay Rays for cash considerations. Gerber, a 28-year-old right-handed pitcher, has shown potential with his 54 strikeouts in 43.1 innings in Triple-A. Despite his limited Major League experience, Gerber's acquisition could provide valuable depth to the Mets' bullpen, which they hope will help them bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season.

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Join Connor Rogers and Joe DeMayo on The Mets Pod as they kick off the offseason, exploring key lessons from the World Series, the future of star players Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz, potential bullpen reinforcements, and new pitching coach prospects. Dive into free agent options and roster changes that could strengthen the Mets' lineup for upcoming seasons. Subscribe now to stay updated!

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The New York Mets have made an early move to strengthen their bullpen by signing pitcher Brandon Waddell to a one-year contract for the 2025 season. Waddell, who has played in Asia and for several MLB teams, has a respectable ERA of 3.45 with the Mets. This early signing has raised eyebrows, as it's unusual to fill up the roster with bullpen arms so early in the off-season. The Mets are likely looking to secure depth early, and it will be interesting to see how these signings fit into their broader strategy.

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Juan Soto, the New York Mets' star outfielder, is in the running for the National League MVP award, joining Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Schwarber. Soto's impressive performance, including a career-high 43 home runs and 38 stolen bases, has earned him a second consecutive MVP finalist nod. His exceptional plate discipline and game-influencing abilities have been crucial to the Mets' offense, making him a strong contender for the prestigious award.

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