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.
Nimmo played in. NY. You don’t need those things to get a simple down ballot MVP vote.
@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.
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.
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.
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
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.
A’s are looking at pitching now.
I’m offering Hunter Green for Tyler Soderstrom.
Reds say no
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..
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.
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.
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.
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 the Mets don’t get Tucker or Bellinger, letting go of your old core is going to be for nothing. A fail.
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