Here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on throughout the day today:
1. Athletics add a bat:
Yesterday’s Jeff McNeil trade saw the A’s add a proven bat to a lineup that already had plenty of firepower. The 33-year-old veteran offers a substantially different look than the power-focused approaches of Nick Kurtz, Tyler Soderstrom, and Brent Rooker, as McNeil is a contact-heavy player good for just ten to 15 homers per season. That should be no problem for an A’s team heavy on power, and alongside fellow contact-oriented middle infielder Jacob Wilson should allow the A’s to field a more diverse lineup during their second year in West Sacramento. Whether they’ll be able to add more talent to a roster that had a much larger need for pitching than additional hitting talent remains to be seen, but yesterday undoubtedly saw an already-competitive AL West get just a little bit stronger.
2. Mets continue restructuring their roster:
The McNeil trade was the latest move in the Mets’ roster overhaul following a deeply disappointing 2025 season. McNeil joined outfielder Brandon Nimmo in being traded away, while Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz were both allowed to walk in free agency. The additions of Luke Weaver, Devin Williams, Jorge Polanco, and Marcus Semien haven’t exactly inspired confidence in the future within the fan base so far, though president of baseball operations David Stearns surely isn’t anywhere close to done with the team’s offseason moves. New York has been known to be searching for a top of the rotation starter all offseason, and it seems as though at least one more bat for an outfield mix that has little certainty outside of Juan Soto also appears to be a must. What will be the team’s next addition?
3. Movement on the outfield market?
The outfield market saw some of its first movement of the offseason yesterday, though it wasn’t a top-of-the-market bat like Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger coming off the board. Instead, veteran bench bat Rob Refsnyder landed with the Mariners on a one-year deal. The addition of Refsnyder looks to be a savvy one for a Mariners club that figures to rely on platoon players like Dominic Canzone and Luke Raley in significant roles next year, and while it’s unlikely to make a significant difference at the top of the market it could spark some action in the lower tiers of the market. Refsnyder joins Lane Thomas as a notable right-handed outfield bat who has now signed, with players like Austin Hays and Harrison Bader still unsigned among a dwindling group of available options in free agency. Could one of those names follow suit before the holidays?
It’s hard to believe Brandon Nimmo has never been an all star or received down-ballot MVP votes. He has put up some big seasons.
Used to be an on-base machine and a good fielder. Great guy, always hustles, but those days are gone.
Agreed on being an all star but idk about down ballot MVP votes that’s kind of crazy he’s never had 100 RBI, only reached 100 Runs once, never hit .300 and his career high in HR is 25 this past season. 2023 was probably his best chance at an All Star appearance. Which year do you think deserved down ballot MVP votes? I can’t find a single one. The only year he produced a 5.0 WAR he hit 16 HR batting .274, injuries really dampened his hot starts early in his career as he only played 100+ games once prior to his age 29 season.
@Queen Nimmo was the Mets #3 best position player by WAR in 2022, of the top 5 Mets position players that year he was the only one who didnt receive MVP votes. Alonso and Marte put up less WAR and finished 8th and 19th respectively. McNeil and Lindor put up more WAR and finished 15 and 9 in voting that year.
I think that’s mildly surprising at least.
In 2022, Nimmo produced 5.0 bWAR. 6 players produced lower total bWAR that season but still got MVP votes.
2.3 Kyle Schwarber
3.2 Edwin Diaz
3.7 Daniel Bard
3.8 Starling Marte
4.4 Pete Alonso
4.6 Julio Urias
I don’t think anyone is arguing for Nimmo to have won an MVP, but he was no less impactful than any of these listed players. Maybe his numbers weren’t as flashy as some of those guys, but he probably deserved a vote or two.
2026 Free Agency Contest Award Winner:
Nimmo has been a very nice player, but I think you’re overstating it a bit. Down ballot MVP votes? I don’t think so.
He’s been a very good player and had two excellent seasons but those seasons’ stats don’t warrant any MVP down votes.
Of the top 5 Mets position players in 2022, he was the third best by measure of WAR and only one not to receive down-ballot MVP votes. I think that’s a little surprising is all.
Umm just because he is from a NY team doesn’t mean that you get MVP votes for being the third best member of the team.
NY hypes its players
All cities hype their players
All Star games are funny. For instance take 3 of the top 4 starting pitchers who have the highest K/9 in baseball history. They have played in 29 seasons in the majors between the three of them, yet have only made 3 all star games combined. All while taking home 3 CYA’s and 3 other seasons finishing 2nd, 4th & 7th.
Snell, Cease & Ray.
baseball-reference.com/leaders/strikeouts_per_nine…
Tim Salmon will always be example A for why being an all star isn’t everything. Never an all star and peaked with A 6.6 WAR & 165 OPS+ season.
ASG votes are based on feels and aren’t scientific so appearances aren’t a good barometer of overall career success. Whenever I do happen to vote, I’m extremely biased.
I just wanted to let all you fans know I called Brett Gardner to see if he’d be willing to play for the league minimum plus a year’s supply of Hoffman Hot Dogs. I’m leaving no stone unturned to make this team into a title contender.
I’m sick of all you assuming that just because none of my work is showing up on MLBTR that I’m not doing anything.
😊
no no no
Brett never played on the mets. You have to be looking at conforto or jose iglesias or one of those type of guys. That been the trend all offseason.
Does this confirm that Gardner is signing with the Mets??
nope brett is retired we looking at bellinger. We signing them fresh off the yankee roster last year.
Feels like you’re saying you don’t like making the playoffs. The Mets would be significantly bretter with Gardner.
nah the only thing gardner can hit is his own head and the stuff in the dugout.
Given the moves you’ve made so far; we’re glad you’re not doing anything.
Mets just sitting back waiting to outbid anyone as opposed to bidding against themselves for whomever it is they’re targeting – which I’m guessing is Bellinger and perhaps Valdez.
I do hope you’re right. And I hope it’s Tucker they’re after, although I wouldn’t cry if they sign Bellinger.
Tucker is the better player and bat, but Bellinger is the cheaper of the two and more flexible defensively thus my guess with CB.
Belly a better fit for yanks n Tuck to Queens w Imai
Tucker is 28, Soto is 27. While the future is hard to predict, having both of them for the next six or more seasons seems like a solid core for the franchise (by comparison, Ohtani is 31, Betts is 33 and Freeman is 36). Tucker has been consistent, even with injuries the last two seasons he’s been an almost 5 WAR player. And acquiring Tuker probably moves Soto to LF, which helps NYM defense. Bellinger has been somewhat mercurial, his best season is better than Tucker’s best (in fact, better than Soto’s), but it was six years ago and he hasn’t approached it since. He had his second-best season last year for the Yankees; that stadium is probably better for him than Citi Field (although he has a .929 career OPS in Queens). He’s likely better off signing with Yankees than Mets.
Mets fans should chill. Dodgers let players like Machado and Seager walk. Only recently did they add Ohtani and Yamamoto. Mets have a really strange ng farm system. If they can sign Bellinger to pkay 1B/CF I think they will be competitive for a WC spot this year.
Bellinger will not be enough to get them in contention
The kid pitchers may be able to though. Maclean has ace material and he showed it.
Tell that to the projection systems that have the CURRENT roster (without more additions to come) as a 90 win team (5th in MLB)
Machado is a punk
I’m not worried. Stearns is hovering over the waiver wire looking for Kmart deals. Mets will have a Brewer’s payroll before first pitch 2026.
A’s are looking at pitching now.
I’m offering Hunter Green for Tyler Soderstrom.
Reds say no
I’d be fine with giving up a lot for soderstrom but idk about greene
Soderstrom is an everyday stud and Greene pitches every six days. When he’s healthy.
Greene is more valuable.
Yeah I feel like their would need to be more coming back, but I’d rather them just pick a different good pitcher and add whatever necessary value to make the deal.
It’s
Everyday Solid Player For Ace
Whoever traded the ace is just… dumb.
I like Abbott for soderstrom. I don’t think he’s available though. A’s like scoring runs
I don’t think any of the players are available
If Bellinger goes to the Mets, does that put Tucker on the Yanks?
I can weigh in here – no. No it doesn’t. We have a cheaper Tucker at home – his name is Trent Grisham.
You put Grisham in the same sentence as Tucker…?
I don’t think the Yankees expected Grisham to accept that qualifying offer, so now they have to hope he replicates his 2025 season.
Surely you jest.
Please don’t call him Shirley…
I just want to you both good luck, we’re all counting on you..
Grisham is a cheaper Tucker? Sounds about as true as the Astros didn’t cheat.
In other words, it’s not true
While not a huge Grisham fan, I’d rather have him for a lot cheaper and fewer years than roll the dice on Tucker who wants 7-8y at $35m AAV who has some red flags. His first 3-4 years should be fine, it’s the back half I worry about. Grisham is in no way equal to Tucker, but cost/benefit he’s not a bad alternate who lets a club spent more on another guy.
Actually, Tucker wants over a decade! And 400+ million.
Bellinger is not going to the Mets. The Mets are not signing a big FA.
Mets should be in the Imai market
Should be, but won’t be. Unless is a 2 year deal. Small market Stearns has to hold his line in the sand. But Imai would be a great addition.
He will sign
Yes. Probably on the line next to the words, “sign here:”
Pretty confident NYM will address the lineup holes. Lost in the freakout insanity of the fan base is just how promising guys like Benge appear. And a full season of McLean and further growth of Sproat, Tong, Christian Scott. They also have IF prospect assets to deal. It shouldn’t be all doom and gloom.
Ketel Marte to the Yankees, any day now
Except they’re on his no trade list.
That’s a very small obstacle that gets removed with another $1m as a trade acceptance bonus.
Roadtrip you just said nobody is trading for Marte.
The difference between Willson Contreras and Marte is that Contreras had a full NTC, whereas Marte has a 5-team NTC which he specifically put the Yankees on.
My bad, I was trying to say that Marte to the Yankees is the next rumor, headline…. any day now
The Tigers should sign Bader to a 3 ye deal.
Yes, we have Max Clark coming, but Bader is a right handed bat that this line up sorely needs. If only Mr.Harris, aka the “Scared Child”, would actually add something to this mediocre lineup.
Not a bad idea
Bader is scrappy and not a bad option for an inexpensive replacement level guy who can play some defense. I liked his role on the Mets, but I’m not sure he is a full-time starter. Not sure of his splits, but he’s an ideal 4th OF/late inning defensive replacement type player.
He also stayed mostly healthy and had a career high 501 plate appearances in his walk year. He’s bound for regression after signing the new contract.
And 3 years would be 2 years too many
Stearns is really giving that Mets roster a shake up. He’s definitely not done making moves.
The A’s are quietly putting together a nice lineup
If they only had some pitching. Cincy can help.
Yup. The Royals could too.
If the Mets don’t get Tucker or Bellinger, letting go of your old core is going to be for nothing. A fail.
Even if they do get one, the young starters will probably not get them to the playoffs, even as a WC. They need either Tucker or Belli just to be as good as 2025 in 2026.
They’re overhauling their team to let some young players get reps. It’s time for dividends to pay off from paying for prospects when they got rid of JV and Max.
I am not saying it is the wrong move, just that I don’t see them as a 2026 playoff team.
You can make an argument to keep Diaz and Alonso as a courtesy to fans or instead to be the biggest budget “rebuild”. Just in the latter instance, not sure that I get the Polanco and Weaver signings.
They’re short-team deals and none of them have NTCs. Stearns is clearly retooling and will reassess at the trade deadline.
I don’t see that, Creech.
Nimmo brought back Semien who takes an IF spot.
Diaz left, but Williams and Weaver are there.
I highly doubt Pete and McNeil won’t be replaced with two other players outside the club as well.
So the moves they made imo won’t be directly correlating to more PT for young players. Unless they get no one else which again I highly doubt.
It does seem that Semien takes McNeil’s spot and Vientos/Polonco takes Alonzo’s spot plus the DH.
I guess this frees up two outfield spots where Nimmo and Bader used to be. Like you, I believe that Mets will get a FA outfielder. I think Belli will return to Yankees, so I see Mets getting Tucker, Bader or pulling off a trade.
*Forgot to mention Polanco so that’s another spot down.
Salzilla
“Forgot to mention Polanco so that’s another spot down.”
——
Is that a response to someone else? I specifically state: “Vientos/Polonco takes Alonzo’s spot plus the DH.”
Or maybe a “response” to your own post?
———-
If Alonso, Nimmo and McNeil are replaced with Polanco, Hays and Semien that would be almost inconceivable. Have to think they are in mix for Tucker.
Yeah I had tacked that onto mine before I saw yours.
👍
I’d lol so hard if they get Hays INSTEAD of Tucker or Bellinger.
All together possible that Cashman has a tighter budget that leaves him enough to sign a max of one of the higher-visibility guys–and maybe neither Tucker or Bellinger. The line about “wasting Judge’s prime years” i don’t think is applicable. The team is maybe 85/86 wins, and even the best signing doesn’t get them into the mid 90s–to say nothing of the WS
This team wasn’t good enough last year to beat the Jays, nevermind the Dodgers. They need at very least – another credible impact starter, an above average outfielder, and another credible offensive player for the left side of the infield – expecting McMahon and Volpe/Cabellero to be anything but average at best is delusion.
That’s Imai/Peralta + Bellinger/Tucker + a SS/3B. I don’t see the Yankees pulling that off.
Agree. This never-ending cycle reinforces itself. They don’t draft high because they spend too much. When they develop, they tend not to keep, sending younger talent in exchange for band aids. They generally overpay in both contracts and talent. And, there remains, to an extent, the guy who doesn’t do well in NYC. So they end up with big holes and process repeats,
Tucker ten years $320 million (Nope)
Imai eight years $200 million (Nope)
Belli five years $150 million (Yankees)
Trade for a SS/3B
As a minor aside, I’m always amused when I see comments like Nick in this article about the Mets:
“….were both allowed to walk in free agency…”
Teams do not ALLOW players to leave via free agency. Players have the RIGHT to test the market via free agency. Neither the Mets nor any other MLB team can stop them from exercising that right.
While the Mets could try to outbid other teams, one aspect of free agency is if a player chooses for whatever reason(s) not to return to a ballclub…the team CAN NOT force them to stay. They literally do not have legal power to do so. Once a player reaches free agency where they play is up to the player, not the team.
Hence the term “free agent.”
Yet so many folks continue to write that teams “LET” players leave as if in the end a player’s departure via free agency is something MLB teams have a veto on. They do not, They just don’t, and implying they do is simply incorrect.
I’ll get off my soapbox now, thanks. 🙂
I think you’re taking it a little too literal.
When that expression is used, it’s not suggesting or implying that the team can trap a player for all time or anything.
It means the team let an opportunity to keep the player go by. While a player is under contract, an extension can be worked out to lengthen the player’s stay.
In this case, the team ‘let’ the players walk because they (the team) failed to negotiate an extension with either player, hence, they let them get away.
Fair enough, but saying a team “failed to negotiate an extension with a player” can be true even when said player had zero intention to ever sign an extension.
In that situation any “opportunity” is purely theoretical.
Wrong. When someone writes “allowed to” there is no implication that the FA was under their control. As in, “Mike the Nats fan approached his boss for a raise but they were unwilling to give it to him and allowed him to leave’.
I agree that they “blew an opportunity” rather than “let them walk”.
Exactly what the A’s needed. McNeill will massively help Gelof’s hitting and ready him for possibly the best infield in baseball in Vegas ‘28. The pitching they have coming up will be ready for just that also. Get ready folks a berry young A’s team have two years to grow together for many a year
Huh. I thought that Mike Yastrzemski was some of the first outfield movement in free agency.
The Mets are heavily relying on assistant GM Soto’s recommendations.
Phillies please say no to Bader and yes to Austin Von and Charlie Hayes/Hays.
Hey hey hey happy holidays to all