Meet the Mets
The Mets signed veteran infielder Jorge Polanco to a two-year, $40 million contract yesterday. The 32-year-old switch hitter is coming off his best offensive season since 2021 and was a key player in the
postseason for the Mariners, who wanted to retain him, but were outbid by the Mets.
Polanco is expected to mostly play first base—a position he has only played once, but which the Mets believe he is athletic enough to handle— but may DH in addition to backing up other infield positions.
Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon penned a column in The Athletic about early stage trade talks brewing between the Mets and Padres in which several players are being discussed (but notably not stars Francisco Lindor or Fernando Tatis Jr.).
Jonah Tong is “highly coveted” in trade talks generally, according to reporting by Jon Heyman. Nolan McLean is viewed as untouchable and Carson Benge is “close to that,” but the Mets are listening on pretty much everyone else in an effort to fill out their outfield and pitching staff.
After the departure of several notable players, the Mets are currently a fourth place team, opines Bill Madden of the New York Daily News. (Note: This article was published before news of the Polanco signing broke.)
Steve Cohen should meet with Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto to discuss how to avoid a repeat of the 2025 season, writes Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
The Mets signed righty Zach Peek to a minor league deal. Peek was with the Brewers organization last season, where he put up a 3.63 ERA.
Around the National League East
Sam Sallick of Federal Baseball covered five under the radar relievers the Nationals should consider signing and his list included former Mets Ryne Stanek and Drew Smith.
Theo DeRosa of MLB.com addresses three big questions about a potential reunion between the Phillies and J.T. Realmuto.
Around Major League Baseball
The Yankees signed Amed Rosario to a one-year, $2.5 million deal with another $250,000 in possible incentives.
After already having re-signed closer Kyle Finnegan at the Winter Meetings, the Tigers further solidified their bullpen by inking veteran reliever Kenley Jansen to a one-year contract.
The Cardinals agreed to a contract with right-hander Dustin May.
In a rather interesting trade, the Brewers acquired LHP Ángel Zerpa from the Royals for OF Isaac Collins and reliever Nick Mears.
Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue
Linus Lawrence reviewed Clay Holmes’ 2025 season, which was sort of a microcosm of the Mets’ 2025 season.
This Date in Mets History
The Mets signed Lance Johnson to a two-year deal on this date in 1995.
