Morning Briefing: Blue Jays and Alonso Not Close to Agreement

Good morning, Mets fans!

There was plenty of news regarding free agent first baseman Pete Alonso on Thursday, as SNY’s Andy Martino and Newsday’s Tim Healey both reported that his talks with the Toronto Blue Jays were gaining steam. Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi and Ben Nicholson-Smith, however, stated that negotiations had not picked up between the two sides up to this point. For more, check out our story on the topic.

Now onto the morning briefing!

Latest Mets News

SNY has revealed their complete broadcast schedule for spring training.

Baseball America highlighted Mets prospects Nolan McLean and Brandon Sproat for their unique pitch profiles on their annual Top 100 Prospects list.

In MLB Network’s annual ranking of the top 10 players at each position, Juan Soto came in at No. 3 among right fielders behind Aaron Judge and Kyle Tucker of the New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs, respectively.

The New York Mets have officially announced the signing of reliever A.J. Minter to a two-year, $22 million deal. The contract includes an opt-out clause that allows Minter to become a free agent again after the 2025 campaign. The 31-year-old left-hander is recovering from surgery on his left hip, which cut his 2024 season short. Minter had spent his entire eight-year MLB career with the Atlanta Braves, where he posted a 24-29 record, 3.28 ERA and 36 saves across 384 appearances. In 2024, he was 5-4 with a 2.62 ERA and one save in 39 games, striking out 35 and walking 11 in 34 1/3 innings before his injury.

Latest MLB News

The Los Angeles Dodgers officially announced the signing of left-handed pitcher Tanner Scott to a four-year, $72 million deal.

Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register notes that Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes stated that the team’s offseason moves haven’t altered their desire to re-sign Clayton Kershaw, who is still progressing in his throwing program after foot and knee surgeries.

The Houston Astros are leaving the door open for Alex Bregman’s return, though it remains unlikely as he reportedly has offers from at least two other teams, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Anthony Santander’s five-year, $92.5 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays has deferred payments that give the deal an adjusted value of $68.6 million.

The Cubs have shown interest in reuniting with veteran reliever David Robertson, per Bruce Levine of 670 The Score.

Jeff Passan of ESPN called the Dodgers a “stress test” for MLB’s economic system as debate continues over fairness in baseball’s financial structure.

Yankees Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera and his wife, Clara, are accused in a lawsuit of covering up the sexual abuse of a minor at their church, Refuge of Hope, in New Rochelle, according to The New York Daily News.

Audio recordings of Ippei Mizuhara impersonating Shohei Ohtani on a bank call have been provided as evidence in a Department of Justice case, with sentencing scheduled for February 6, per The Athletic.

The Atlanta Braves signed former San Diego Padres outfielder Jurickson Profar to a three-year deal worth $42 million, which was officially announced by the team. He will earn $12 million in 2025 before making $15 million each of the following two seasons.

Latest on MMO

Mathias Altman-Kurosaki highlights free agent reliever Dylan Floro.

David Melendi discusses two rule changes coming to MLB this season.

On This Date In Mets History

1980: The Mets’ controlling shares were sold by the Payson family to Doubleday & Company in a record-breaking $21.1 million transaction, marking the highest price ever paid for an American sports franchise at the time. As part of the deal, Fred Wilpon joined the team’s ownership group as a minority owner.

Born On This Date: Jose Quintana (1989), Mike Glavine (1973), Neil Allen (1958).

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