The Mets face a first‑base dilemma heading into the 2027 offseason after a lackluster 2026, while the club also eyes Cubs hitting coach John Mallee, who’s close to MVP contender Pete Crow‑Armstrong. Elsewhere, the ALCS saw the Tampa Bay Rays clinch the pennant over the Cleveland Guardians on Oct. 19, highlighted by Victor Mesa Jr. and Junior Caminero’s celebrations. The article notes several offseason rumors — Dave Dombrowski’s Phillies outfield plans, Brewers assistant GM Matt Kleine’s Astros candidacy, and the unique paths of the Rays and Brewers as potential World Series newcomers. It also recaps recent Amazin’ Avenue pieces on Freddy Peralta and NPB star Teruaki Sato.
The New York Mets are weighing hitting‑coach candidates after confirming Kevin Long’s interview. MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo adds former Cubs assistant John Mallee to the list. Mallee, a veteran coach with stints in Chicago, Houston, Miami, Philadelphia and LA, helped Cubs outfielder Pete Crow‑Armstrong boost his walk rate from 4.5% to 11.4% and surge from 10 to 45 homers, lifting his wRC+ from 86 to 157. With the Cubs posting a league‑best 114 wRC+ in 2026, the Mets are intrigued by Mallee’s impact, though they haven’t decided whether to hire a new director of hitting or an additional assistant under Troy Snitker.
The New York Mets need to make some changes. New York wanted to compete this year but fell short of that goal to say the least. Overall, this Mets team has some legitimate uncertainty. Signing a superstar such as Tarik Skubal in MLB free agency would certainly represent a boost, but is New York even […]
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Not only did Freddy Peralta struggle mightily with the Mets, but he completely revived his season after being traded to the Rays.
Freddy Peralta earns ALCS MVP as the Tampa Bay Rays defeat the Cleveland Guardians and clinch a World Series spot. The 30‑year‑old right‑hander allowed just one earned run over 5.1 innings in Game 6 and posted a 0.75 ERA across three appearances, including six scoreless innings in Game 2. Since the trade‑deadline move from Milwaukee to the Rays, Peralta has posted a 2.75 ERA in 72 regular‑season innings and has not allowed more than one run in his last 10 outings. He now faces his former Brewers in the championship series.
Freddy Peralta’s much‑hyped Mets debut turned into a bust, as his 2026 line dipped to a 4.99 ERA and 4.45 FIP over 113 innings. After a strong 2025 season with Milwaukee (2.70 ERA), the former Cy Young contender struggled to go deep, saw his strikeout rate fall to 21.4%, and helped the Mets finish last in the NL East. The club flipped him to Tampa Bay at the trade deadline for prospects Gary Gill Hill and Émilien Pitre. With the Rays, Peralta improved enough to win the ALCS MVP, beating the Brewers and earning a World Series spot before hitting free agency.
The Tampa Bay Rays clinch the ALCS with a 7-3 Game 6 win over the Cleveland Guardians, sending them to the World Series and earning Freddy Peralta his second series win and ALCS MVP honors. The victory marks the 18th anniversary of Tampa Bay’s first World Series appearance, while Yandy Díaz correctly predicted a six-game finish and Junior Caminero hit his first postseason homer. The Mets beat report includes coaching talks with Kevin Long, second‑base options, and interest in Japanese slugger Teruaki Sato, plus league‑wide staffing moves—from Aaron Boone’s Yankees return to new hires in Oakland, Baltimore and Chicago. The post also notes a 72nd birthday for Keith Hernandez.
Hanshin Tigers have approved third baseman Teruaki Sato’s posting request, opening negotiations with all 30 MLB clubs. The 27‑year‑old posted a historic NPB Triple Crown in 2026, slashing .306/.383/.609 with 39 homers, 106 RBIs and a .991 OPS in 143 games. Yankees, Mets, Dodgers and Phillies are the primary suitors, each envisioning Sato at either third base or first/corner outfield, while the Blue Jays are also monitoring him. Concerns linger over his 27% strikeout rate, but his power and 201 wRC+ make him a rare free‑agent bat. If no deal is reached within the 45‑day window, he returns to Japan for 2027.
In August, the Tampa Bay Rays acquired Freddy Peralta in a trade with the New York Mets. Just a few days later, he was named AL Pitcher of the Month. Apparently, it was a sign of bigger things to come for the Rays. On Monday, Peralta and Tampa Bay reached the World Series after outclassing […]
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Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Freddy Peralta admitted he never imagined reaching the 2026 World Series just two months ago, following a difficult stint with the New York Mets. The 30-year-old right-hander earned American League Championship Series MVP honors Monday night after helping the Rays defeat the Cleveland Guardians 7-3 in Game 6 at Tropicana Field. […]
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After Tampa Bay finished off the Cleveland Guardians and punched their ticket to the Fall Classic, the Rays took the stage for the trophy ceremony, and when Kevin Cash announced Freddy Peralta — who was acquired at the trade deadline from the Mets after a rough start to the year, bought into the Rays adjustments, […]
The New York Mets will sit down with former hitting coach Kevin Long tomorrow to discuss a possible director of hitting role, per New York Post reporter Mike Puma. Long, who served as the Mets’ hitting coach from 2015‑17 and has 20 years of MLB experience with the Yankees, Nationals and Phillies, becomes available after the Phillies released him. With Jeff Albert departing and hitting coach Troy Snitker likely returning, the Mets could retain both coaches. Long’s résumé includes World Series rings with the 2009 Yankees and 2019 Nationals, and he has a strong relationship with Juan Soto, a key New York hitter who played under him in Washington.
The New York Mets are scheduled to speak with former Phillies hitting coach Kevin Long on Tuesday about a position on the major-league coaching staff, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports. Long, 59, was fired as Phillies hitting coach last week after five years with the team. The Phillies were top ten in […]
Kevin Long was the Mets' hitting coach for three seasons.
A fresh rumor suggests the New York Mets could acquire former AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil from the Yankees this offseason. After a disappointing 2026 season, the Mets aim to revamp their pitching staff, eyeing cost‑controlled talent under President David Stearns. Gil, who posted a 15‑7 record with a 3.50 ERA in 2025 but struggled at 4.61 ERA in 2026, is reportedly on the Yankees’ trade block. Potential return packages could include catcher Francisco Alvarez, Gold Glove‑candidate Luis Torrens, or infielders Brett Baty and Mark Vientos with a prospect. The deal hinges on the Mets’ willingness to add upside while staying under a possible 2027 salary cap.
The Mets turned a bargain 2024 deadline deal for 36‑year‑old reliever Huascar Brazobán into a win‑win. Acquired for a nominal price, Brazobán logged 135.2 innings with a 3.45 ERA, excelling early in 2026 (52.2 innings, 2.56 ERA, 2.75 xERA). Despite unsustainable peripheral numbers, New York sold him to the Chicago White Sox at the trade deadline, recouping top prospects Gabe Davis and Zach Franklin. Davis rebounded with a 2.53 ERA in Binghamton, while Franklin shows major‑league potential, both slated as 2027 contributors. The move showcases the Mets’ knack for extracting value from veteran arms while restocking their farm system.
The Tampa Bay Rays edge the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 in Game 5 of the ALCS, pulling ahead 3‑2 in the series. Drew Rasmussen throws seven shutout innings, and Freddy Peralta is slated to start Game 6, which could clinch the Rays’ first World Series berth. A victory would set up a showdown with the Milwaukee Brewers, guaranteeing a first‑time champion. The post also highlights Mets prospect Ryan Lambert’s strong start in the Arizona Fall League, front‑office exits at the Nationals, and a look back at Mets history on this October 19 date.
The Mets’ Arizona Fall League squad posts a 8‑3 record in week two, highlighted by a 17‑8 win over Glendale and a dominant 10‑0 shutout on Oct. 17. First baseman Cole Mathis leads with a .167 average, one homer and four RBIs, while 2B Bruin Agbayani contributes three runs and a stolen base despite a .091 slash line. Pitchers Brendan Girton and Ryan Lambert shine, each posting a 0.00 ERA over multiple innings, whereas Calvin Ziegler struggles with a 19.29 ERA. The team’s offense clicks, but pitching depth varies as the league continues.
The Philadelphia Phillies hired former Mets manager Carlos Mendoza as their third‑base and infield coach, but he was also a leading candidate for Seattle’s vacant manager spot. Mendoza withdrew from the Mariners’ race after accepting the Phillies role. Seattle, whose skipper Dan Wilson announced he won’t return after a 2025 AL West‑winning season and a disappointing 2026 campaign (10 games under .500), has looked to experienced managers—Diamondbacks’ Torey Lovullo was considered before re‑signing with Arizona. With Mendoza and Lovullo off the market, the Mariners’ only confirmed candidate is former Astros manager Joe Espada, who received interview permission just before Houston announced his contract wouldn’t be renewed.
There were a lot of problems with the 2026 Mets, a depressing and lengthy list that we don’t need to rehash here. The bullpen, however, was not one of them. Prior to the trade deadline, the Mets’ relief corp posted a 3.82 ERA with a 3.79 xERA and 15.1 K-BB%. That latter mark ranked 4th […]
Meet the Mets Mets top prospect Jefferson Rojas launched a pair of homers last night in the Winter League; the 21-year-old Dominican is 4-for-7 overall in his first two games with Cibao. Around the National League East Former Mets manager Carlos Mendoza was a candidate for the Mariners’ managerial job before withdrawing his name to […]
The New York Mets decided to move on from manager Carlos Mendoza during the regular season. It seemed as if Mendoza would be a candidate to manage once again in 2027. Sure enough, Mendoza was reportedly linked to the Seattle Mariners manager opening before he joined the Philadelphia Phillies as a third base and infield […]
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Five more players who played in MLB this year have elected minor league free agency, according to the transaction tracker at MiLB.com. These players were all outrighted off teams’ 40-man rosters and have played seven-plus seasons in the minors, so the elections are mostly formalities. Infielders Vidal Bruján (Mets) The Mets acquired Bruján from Minnesota […]
Meet the Mets David Stearns’ current team may not be in the World Series, but Greg Joyce analyzed how he helped build the foundation for the Brewers’ run. Steve Cohen’s influence could be the X-Factor in the offseason chase for Tarik Skubal. Should the Mets give up on Ronny Mauricio? Logan VanDine believes it may […]
Today’s Reflections THE DODGERS LOSE! THE DODGERS LOSE! THEEEEEE DODGERS LOSE! (I know that was John Sterling’s phrase, but I respectfully enjoyed — I mean, borrowed it) And Cleveland is still up two games to one after Friday’s game was rained out. Game 4 tonight. Things get better and better! (except it doesn’t involve the […]