- Mets sign outfielder Kevin Pillar
🍎 SIGNING: The Mets surprised a lot of fans by signing outfielder Kevin Pillar to a one-year deal on Monday night. He will make $3.6 million guaranteed in 2021 with an option structure that could pay him up to $10 million over two years (or as little as $5MM with a buyout after one year). New York will need to make a corresponding 40-man roster move before making the signing official.
- Mets acquiring Khalil Lee in Royals-Red Sox Andrew Benintendi trade
The Mets got involved in another three-team trade (their second of the offseason) and acquired outfield prospect Khalil Lee from the Royals by giving up recently-acquired right-hander Josh Winckowski (to the Red Sox) and a player to be named later. The Mets piggy-bagged on a larger deal that sends outfielder Andrew Benintendi from Boston to Kansas City for OF Franchy Cordero.
- MLB should cave on universal DH for good of the game
by Joel Sherman, NY Post
“The sides must get out of the posture that what is good for their side is invariably bad for mine. In 2021, the universal DH and expanded playoffs are positives for both. But if the parties cannot reach an agreement on the postseason, then MLB must be the adult in the room.”
- Greener Pastures for Albert Almora Jr. and Juan Lagares, But…
by Jay Jaffe, FanGraphs
“The problem for the Mets, beyond fans’ high hopes that new owner Steve Cohen would go on a shopping spree that would land multiple name-brand free agents this winter, is that they’ve gone the Almora route or its equivalent with regularity over the past half-dozen seasons, covering for a mismatched collection of outfield parts by using a righty-swinging glove-first center fielder on a part-time basis.”
- Mets’ farm system ranked 19th in baseball
KEITH LAW: “It’s still a decent system despite all of [Brodie’s trades that would’ve make them Top 10] thanks to some shrewd draft strategy and big-ticket international signings that all look good in the early going”
- Brandon Nimmo lands on MLB Top 100 countdown
MLB Network revealed #100-81 in their Top 100 countdown with the Mets' current centerfielder Brandon Nimmo coming in at 89th.
- Mets high on ESPN’s way-too-early 2021 starting pitching ranking
Despite missing out on Trevor Bauer, ESPN still ranks the Mets' starting rotation as the 4th best in baseball heading into the new season.
- Davey Johnson relives famous Mets moment after scary COVID-19 battle
DAVIDOFF: “Two weeks of the virus knocked the hell out of me,” Johnson told The Post on Monday. “My wife kept praying for me. All of a sudden, I woke up, after so much fever and coughing, and I didn’t have a cough. I didn’t have a fever. I felt normal. I went from feeling miserable to feeling great. I hope you don’t have to experience [the coronavirus].”
- Rosenthal: Mets interested in Justin Turner
ROSENTHAL: Mets interested in free-agent 3B Justin Turner, but parties not matching up on years/dollars. Mets also not sure what J.D. Davis might bring in a trade. Brewers owner Mark Attanasio intrigued by Turner as well. Dodgers (2-year deal?) remain best bet.
- Mets add bench depth with Jonathan Villar
The Mets are reportedly signing speedy, utility man Jonathan Villar to a one-year, $3.55 million contract.
ANALYSIS: Villar gives the Mets much-needed baserunning help. He has stolen 56 bases over the past two seasons. While playing for the Orioles, he was their best and most exciting player in 2019. However, he struggled in 2020 at the plate and has never been a Statcast darling.
