Morning Briefing: Alonso Market Continues to Dwindle As Nats Acquire Nathaniel Lowe
Good morning, Mets fans!
The Nationals filled their void at first base, acquiring Nathaniel Lowe from the Rangers in exchange for left-handed reliever Robert Garcia. Lowe spent the last four seasons in Texas, winning a Silver Slugger in 2022 and winning Gold Glove, as well as a World Series ring in 2023. In 2024, he batted .265/.361/.401 with 16 homers and 2.8 fWAR over 565 plate appearances. Garcia appeared in 72 games for Washington, posting a 4.22 ERA over 59 2/3 innings, though he also boasted a 2.38 FIP and 2.53 xERA. This move further limits the market for Pete Alonso, as Washington had been perceived as a potential suitor for him.
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Latest Mets News
The Mets bolstered their rotation by re-signing Sean Manaea to a three-year deal, Jeff Passan of ESPN reported Sunday night. Read the full report here.
Latest MLB News
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Texas Rangers signed DH Joc Pederson. This comes a day after the team traded first baseman Nathaniel Lowe to the Nationals.
The Phillies have acquired lefty Jesús Luzardo from the Marlins along with minor league catcher Paul McIntosh in exchange for shortstop prospect Starlyn Caba and outfield prospect Emaarion Boyd. Luzardo missed much of the 2024 season due to injury, posting a disappointing 5.00 ERA over 66 2/3 innings following a strong 2023 season. Caba is considered the 54th-best prospect in the sport by Baseball America, drawing 67 walks against 49 strikeouts in 340 plate appearances, and swiping 50 bases.
The Tigers have agreed to a minor league deal with righty Jordan Balazovic. A former top prospect for the Twins, Balazovic spent time in Korea in 2024, posting a 4.26 ERA with 69 strikeouts in 57 innings for the Doosan Bears.
Former All-Star outfielder Wil Myers told AJ Cassavell of MLB.com that he has retired. Myers won AL Rookie of the Year honors in 2013 with the Rays and was an All-Star for the Padres when the team hosted the event in 2016. He also received MVP votes in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. He finishes his career with a .252/.326/.437 (109 OPS+) batting line, 156 homers, and 107 steals over 11 seasons.
Latest on MMO
James Villani writes about the market for Pete Alonso.
Andrew Steele-Davis profiles Jose Iglesias as a free agent.
On This Date in Mets History
1996: After not playing in the majors during the 1996 season, Todd Pratt signs a minor league deal with the Mets. A former sixth-round pick by the Red Sox, Pratt showed some promise during his brief time in the majors with the Phillies in 1992 and 1993.
1999: The Mets acquire All-Star lefty Mike Hampton and outfielder Derek Bell from the Astros in exchange for speedy outfielder Roger Cedeño, and pitchers Octavio Dotel and Kyle Kessel. This comes days after Ken Griffey Jr. vetoed a trade that would have sent him to Flushing. Hampton is coming off a career year in which he went 22-4 with a 2.90 ERA in 239 innings, finishing as runner-up in NL Cy Young voting to Randy Johnson.
2003: The Mets ink All-Star outfielder and two-time Gold Glover Mike Cameron to a three-year contract worth $19.5 million. Cameron is coming off a strong four-year stretch with the Mariners, batting .256/.350/.448 with 87 homers and 106 steals.
Born On This Date: Tim Harkness (1937), Jerry Koosman (1942), Tim Leary (1958), Rick White (1968), Josh Satin (1984), Jordany Valdespin (1987).
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