With baseball's Winter Meetings just a few days away, the MLB hot stove continues to burn, and one of the Mets' divisional foes is reportedly set to pursue some of the biggest names on the market.

The Phillies have already signed Zack Wheeler away from the Mets, agreeing to a five-year, $118 million deal with the right-hander, and now they're reportedly pursuing both Anthony Rendon and Stephen Strasburg, perhaps the two biggest names on the market outside of Gerrit Cole. 

MLB.com's Jon Heyman has reported that the Phillies have shown interest in both Strasburg and Cole, though the team is "especially interested" in Strasburg.

Danny Abriano, SNY.tv | Twitter |

Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen will soon be in San Diego with his contingent and representatives from the 29 other clubs as the annual Winter Meetings begin.

The meetings officially start on Monday, Dec. 9 and conclude on Dec. 12. But things could start percolating as early as Sunday, when many of the most important movers and shakers start to arrive.

The Mets have agreed to sign reliever Brad Brach, SNY's Andy Martino confirmed. 

Brach's deal will be for one year and $850,000 and also contains a player option for 2021 that is worth $1.25 million, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

To make room on the 40-man roster for Brach, Chris Flexen was designated for assignment.

The Mets need and are looking to add more starting pitching. However, the team's path to the postseason in 2020 may rest more on what they get from Steven Matz and Marcus Stroman than what the Mets get from the hot stove market this winter.

Zack Wheeler is officially gone, having signed a five-year deal to join the Phillies. The pitcher replacing him will either be Seth Lugo or someone specifically acquired to be their fifth starter. In all likelihood, whomever it is will almost certainly not translate into 15-16 team wins like Wheeler did the past two seasons.

Sure, the Mets could score more and/or not allow as many runs late in games so they're more successful when Jacob deGrom is regularly brilliant. For instance, despite winning his second straight Cy Young Award with a 2.53 ERA, the Mets were 14-18 in games that he started in 2019. That stat is painful every time I see it.

Check out the view in the SNY Booth, with the camera on Gary Cohen, Keith Hernandez, and Ron Darling for some big Mets moments of 2019!

The Phillies have yet to officially announce the addition of Zack Wheeler, though multiple reports have confirmed that the 29-year-old will join the Phillies on a five-year, $118 million deal.

New Phillies skipper Joe Girardi was asked about Wheeler on Thursday in Philadelphia, and while Girardi was only willing to speak in generalities, he did touch on what Wheeler brings to a pitching staff.

Danny Abriano, SNY.tv | Twitter |

With their trade for Jake Marisnick, the Mets have added an elite defensive center fielder who might not give them much in terms of offense. But the acquisition will likely have ripple effects throughout the roster.

GM Brodie Van Wagenen made it known earlier this offseason that he was seeking to improve the Mets' defense. He also made it clear he preferred to play Michael Conforto and Brandon Nimmo in the corner outfield spots.

With Wilson Ramos expected to return as the catcher and the infield defense up the middle set with Amed Rosario at shortstop and Robinson Cano at second base, center field seemed like the one spot where the Mets could seriously upgrade their defense. Now that they've done it, what will it mean for Conforto, Nimmo, and J.D. Davis? And what kind of impact will it have on Jeff McNeil?

The Mets have acquired Astros CF Jake Marisnick in exchange for prospects Blake Taylor and Kenedy Corona.

Marisnick, who is known for his defense, hit .233/.289/.411 in 120 games for the Astros in 2019. He is a career .227/.280/.380 hitter in seven seasons with the Marlins and Astros.

The 28-year-old Marisnick is projected to make $3 million via arbitration in 2020, after which he is eligible for free agency.

The Mets have signed outfielder Jarrett Parker and infielder Max Moroff to minor league deals that include invitations to big league spring training, the team announced Thursday.

Parker, 30, has played in parts of four major league seasons with the Angels and Giants, hitting.249/.330/.441 with 15 homers in 140 games.

He spent the majority of the 2019 season in Triple-A, where he hit.266/.394/.535 with 24 homers in 96 games. In eight minor league seasons, Parker has hit .261/.368/.464 with 127 homers.

Whether the Phillies doling out $118 million for five years of Zack Wheeler turns out to be an overpay or not, one thing that is certain is that Wheeler fleeing the Mets for a division rival that is trying to leapfrog them is bad for New York.

Shortly after Wheeler agreed to sign in Philly, Noah Syndergaard weighed in -- happy for his friend but conflicted as he posted on Twitter:

Earlier this week, SNY's Andy Martino reported that Jeff McNeil, J.D. Davis or Dominic Smith could be required in order to trade for Brewers closer Josh Hader.

This makes sense, but McNeil isn't going to be traded.

"He has significant value to the Mets, not just on field, but as it pertains to their budget," an NL East executive told me this past weekend. "I see no reason when push comes to shove that they'd deal him."

John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter |

The Phillies are buying into the same obvious potential in Zack Wheeler that convinced me last winter he'd turned a corner in 2018 and blossomed into an elite starter, so I can understand why they gave him $118 million to upgrade their starting rotation. 

But here's the thing: Wheeler didn't turn that corner, as it turned out, and while brilliant at times in 2019, he was plagued by inconsistent command and mistake-pitch home runs that negated his dominant stuff too often, especially early as he pitched to a 4.96 ERA over the first 15 starts of the season.

J.D. Davis made his major league debut with the Houston Astros on August 5, 2017.

He hit eighth in the lineup that day, going 1-for-4 while playing third base.

Three spots ahead of him in the lineup that day was Carlos Beltran, the man who is now the Mets manager.

After ending his 2019 season strong, Brandon Nimmo is optimistic about the Mets as the calendar flips to the new year.

Nimmo, who turns 27 on March 27, returned Sept. 1 from his lengthy neck-injury rehab throughout the summer in time for the Mets' second-half surge into the playoff conversation.

He slashed .261/.430/.565 with five home runs and 15 RBI in 26 games down the stretch, and although the Mets were ultimately left out of the postseason, Nimmo drew inspiration from an NL East rival's successful run.

Sterling Partners and Cohen Private ventures released a statement on Wednesday regarding the future of the Mets:

"The Sterling Partners and Steve Cohen are negotiating an agreement in which Steve Cohen would increase his investment in the New York Mets, the statement reads. As part of that agreement, Fred Wilpon will remain in the role of the Control Person and CEO for five years and Jeff Wilpon will remain in his role of Chief Operating Officer for the 5 year period as well.Steve Cohen will continue as CEO and President of Point72 Asset Management and his stake in the Mets will continue to be managed by his family office, Cohen Private Ventures."

Cohen bought a four percent stake in the Mets in 2012 for $20 million. He was also part of a bid to purchase the Dodgers around the same time. 

In a nightmare outcome for the Mets, free agent Zack Wheeler has agreed to a five-year deal with the Phillies worth $118 million, SNY's Andy Martino confirmed.

Wheeler's camp circled back with the Mets before he agreed to sign with the Phillies, but the Mets did not make an offer, reports Mike Puma of the New York Post.

While Wheeler got paid handsomely, he actually turned down more money from the White Sox due in part to his desire to remain in close proximity to New Jersey -- where his wife is from -- reports Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Before he started the second chapter of his MLB career with the Mets for the 2019 season, LF/3B J.D. Davis spent the previous two years in the Houston organization. 

With the Astros' sign-stealing scandal, which surfaced after the season and triggered an ongoing MLB investigation, questions remain about who knew what and when.

Asked about whether or not he knew of the Astros' alleged sign-stealing philosophy while with the team from 2017-18, Davis pointed directly to his numbers over those two seasons.

Brodie Van Wagenen has expressed a desire to add a true center fielder this offseason, shift Brandon Nimmo and Michael Conforto to corner outfield spots, and use Jeff McNeil primarily at third base. All of that could impact J.D. Davis in a big way.

Davis spent 585.1 innings in left field in 2019 and 220 innings at third base. He was below average in left field and close to unplayable at third base, where he was worth -9 DRS. 

Speaking at Citi Field on Wednesday during the Mets' kids holiday party, Davis said his preference was to play third base -- where McNeil is expected to be most of the time -- but that he would play anywhere the team needs him.

The Mets are open to a reunion with Zack Wheeler, who is an unrestricted free agent. Here's the latest...

Dec. 4, 2:21 PM:

SNY's Andy Martino has reported that Wheeler has reached an agreement with the Phillies. Many were getting the feeling that Wheeler's market was heating up to the highest degree before Winter Meetings, and that's exactly what happened as he joins the Mets' NL East rival. 

According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, Wheeler's deal is five years and worth more than $100 million. 

There is mutual interest between the Mets and free-agent Rick Porcello, according to insiders aware of his offseason goals. This is good news because he's a perfect fit for the Mets.

As I wrote two weeks ago, the Phillies and Braves are among several teams that have been more aggressive than the Mets when it comes to signing Zack Wheeler. Insiders predicted to me weeks ago that Wheeler will get five years and $100 million, which at this point appears to be a foregone conclusion.

The same people also keep saying the Mets are more likely to let Wheeler walk in favor of a less expensive, more reliable, consistent, veteran starting pitcher to join the back of their rotation.

Doug Williams and Andy Martino are back with an all-new episode of the Shea Anything podcast! The guys dive into the upcoming Winter Meetings and what the Mets might target to bolster their roster. They also discuss why some "January guys" are being signed so early this offseason.

CLICK BELOW TO LISTEN

There were dozens of players across baseball who were non tendered on Monday and instanty became free agents. The following five should all come at a reasonable price and I hope will be under consideration by Brodie Van Wagenen and the Mets...

Kevin Pillar, OF

The Mets are reportedly looking to add a center fielder. Michael Conforto and Brandon Nimmo can both play center field and their bats are needed in the lineup, so a defense-first option could make for a strong fit on the roster.

Danny Abriano, SNY.tv | Twitter |

With the Mets having multiple needs to fill this offseason and potentially not much wiggle room in the budget to do so, they are reportedly exploring creative ways to clear money from the payroll.

One thing they're considering is trading Jed Lowrie and/or Jeurys Familia and enticing potentially interested teams to take on the money owed to either player by attaching a "low-cost, zero-to-three" player to the deal, reports Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. 

John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter |

The Mets are already banking on a big bounce-back season from Edwin Diaz, arguably baseball's best closer in 2018. Why not double down on that approach for 2020, now that Blake Treinen is a free agent?

That way they only need to go 1-for-2 on the reliever volatility theory to fix their bullpen in spectacular fashion.

Treinen, every bit as dominant for the A's in 2018 as Diaz was for the Mariners, and nearly as dreadful in 2019, was set free on Monday night when Oakland chose to non-tender him a contract rather than pay him some $8 million next season via arbitration.

In an effort to bolster their bullpen, could the answer for the Mets be lefty Josh Hader? 

According to SNY's Andy Martino, the Mets are interested in adding the Brewers reliever via trade.  

Of course, a trade come with a price.  

The Mets had nine arbitration-eligible players entering the offseason and trimmed that number to eight when they DFA'd Joe Panik.

On Monday, the team announced that they had officially tendered contracts to Marcus Stroman, Noah Syndergaard, Michael Conforto, Edwin Diaz , Steven Matz, Seth Lugo, Brandon Nimmo, and Robert Gsellman. 

Once a player is offered arbitration, the team and that player's agent have until a set date -- usually at some point in February -- to come to terms on a new contract. If that doesn't happen, both sides submit salary proposals and the player's salary is determined at a hearing by independent arbitrators. 

Tony DeFrancesco is a possibility to become the Mets' first base coach, reports SNY's Andy Martino.

The 56-year-old DeFrancesco has been the Mets' Triple-A manager since 2018 -- in Las Vegas in 2018 and in Syracuse in 2019 after the team relocated.

DeFrancesco interviewed for the Mets' managerial opening before it went to Carlos Beltran.

Danny Abriano, SNY.tv | Twitter |

With the Mets interested in trading for Brewers closer Josh Hader, one question is how much the Mets would have to give up in order to land him. Another question is how much they should be willing to give up.

Arguably the best reliever in baseball, the 25-year-old Hader has immense value. He is entering his first of four arbitration years, and will likely get more expensive each season from 2020 to 2023.

It can be argued that with their farm system still in the midst of being rebuilt that the Mets should be focused on the free agent market when it comes to improving the bullpen. But if they are serious about going for Hader, it could make sense to also take back Ryan Braun (and a sizable portion of what he's owed) in order to provide the Brewers even more salary relief and make what they send to Milwaukee hurt less.

If the Mets want Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. to be their center field fix, they're now going to have to trade for him. 

According to the Boston Globe's Alex Speier, the Red Sox have tendered a 2020 contract to Bradley. If Boston had not hit Bradley with a tender, then he would've become a free agent, where things would've have been much simpler for GM Brodie Van Wagenen & Co. 

Now Bradley and the Sox have until a set date (usually in February) to come to terms on an agreement. If that doesn't happen, then arbitration will begin with both sides submitting salary proposals that independent arbitrators will use to determine a salary for the 2020 season. 

The Mets are one of many teams interested in trading for Brewers reliever Josh Hader, reports SNY's Andy Martino, who says it's not yet clear if the Brewers will deal him.

Martino adds that the price for the Mets would be high -- in the J.D. Davis, Dominic Smith, Jeff McNeil category. 

Hader "is indeed available," according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, who reported late Sunday night that the Mets are "one team to watch" when it comes to Milwaukee potentially dealing arguably the best reliever in baseball.

Do you remember the first cell phone you've ever used? These Mets certainly do. 

From Brandon Nimmo to Noah Syndergaard, we're "Going Deep" to hear about their first cell phone experience...

As Carlos Beltran takes on his first season as manager of the Mets, a former skipper has some advice for his squad. 

Bobby Valentine spoke to TMZ Sports at Mariano Rivera's charity event on Saturday night, and said as long as Beltran can help fix the team's bullpen struggles, the Mets will definitely find success in 2020. 

"I hope he can get the end of the bullpen together and maybe even get (Yoenis) Cespedes to play a little, and put that group together offensively, so they can be consistent to go with that pitching," Valentine explained. 

Hall of Famer and former Mets catcher Mike Piazza had his introductory press conference as the new head coach of Italy's national team early Friday morning, and discussed a number of different topics as he prepares for his new role.

Piazza, who spent 16 seasons in the MLB playing for the Dodgers, Marlins, Mets, Padres and Athletics, plans to take what he used as a player and convert it into teaching his new players the game as they prepare for the 2020 European Baseball Championship and 2021 World Baseball Championship.

"When I do something, I don't do it halfway" - @mikepiazza31 explains how his playing career prepared him to coach Italy's baseball team pic.twitter.com/UMyJaWKuUC

- SNY (@SNYtv) November 29, 2019

When it comes to prospects, I talk to a lot of people in and around baseball. I listen to people within the Mets organization. I read every list published online, and I talk to a variety of minor-league reporters, experts and scouts. As a result, I end every season with a notebook full of names that are most mentioned when talking about the team's farm system.

Interestingly, unlike previous seasons, the combination of question marks and potential seemed to result in me being asked about the same three to four names.

Based on those questions and what wound up in my notebook, here is my list of comments about the three most asked about prospects in the Mets' farm system...

John Harper, SNY.tv | Twitter |

In honor of Black Friday, where the lure of bargains convinces otherwise rational people to navigate the madness of overcrowded shopping, here's a list of free agents on which you won't find Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg, or Anthony Rendon.
 
No, this isn't the big-ticket aisle but more of a discount store for players who could provide the best bang for the buck. 

In some cases that means gambling on bounce-back seasons for players who were dealing with injuries, in others it means settling for an under-the-radar level of performance and certainty.

One of the Mets' top priorities this offseason is acquiring a new starting outfielder, and Pirates All-Star Starling Marte has been rumored to be traded to New York.

On Thursday, MLB Insider Hector Gomez tweeted out a video of Marte speaking about a potential trade to the Mets.

"They (Pirates) have the power to decide," Marte said. "If I had it in me, I left now because the caliber of players we have is not to compete in a World Series. The Mets have it all, it would be a great opportunity to play with them."

With Thanksgiving almost here and the holiday season around the corner, New York sports fans can capitalize on some great Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. Whether it be apparel or electronics, here are some considerations on what you can buy...

For the Mets fan who misses the black jerseys

Marcus Stroman took to social media to say the Mets "need to" bring back the black jerseys and hats every so often (Pete Alonso agrees). Well, fans who agree can buy this black Mike Piazza jersey with itmes up to 65% off at the Mets Official Online Shop.

Mike Piazza Mitchell & Ness Cooperstown Collection Mesh Batting Practice Jersey: $82.49 ... $27.50 off with code SINGLE

Anthony McCarron, SNY.tv | Twitter |

Chew on this while you chew on a turkey leg. 

We know you're not supposed to bring up politics or religion at Thanksgiving Dinner. But what about predictions for Major League Baseball free agency? 

Even your eccentric uncle likes those tasty morsels.

Brodie Van Wagenen has prioritized relief help this offseason along with adding a true center fielder and potentially a starting pitcher to replace Zack Wheeler. Now, roughly one month into the offseason, two of the best relievers are off the board.

Left-handed reliever Drew Pomeranz has agreed to sign with the Padres, per multiple reports, with Robert Murray reporting the deal will be for four years.

One scout predicted earlier this month to SNY contributor John Harper that Pomeranz could get a three-year deal worth $8-9 million a year.

As the Winter Meetings creep closer and closer by the day, speculation continues to swirl around about what Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen has planned this offseason.

One rumor that came about via MLB Network's Jon Heyman was the Mets showing interest in a trade for Starling Marte. Though it has not been indicated that Marte is on the trade block, Van Wagenen may talk to Pirates GM Ben Cherington to propose some trade packages. 

SNY's Jim Duquette put together his own trade package of some Mets top prospects in INF Andres Gimenez, RHP Franklyn Kilome, and either INF Mark Vientos or LHP David Peterson in exchange for Marte. And, well, it caused a little stir. 

Duquette sat down with "The Thread" crew to explain why he made his package this way, and why he believes if anyone has a shot to land Marte this offseason, it would be Van Wagenen and the Mets...

The Pirates have hired Derek Shelton as their next manager, the team announced on Wednesday.

Shelton, 49, was a finalist for Mets manager along with Carlos Beltran and Eduardo Perez before the job went to Beltran.

During the Mets' interview process, one Mets person was "dazzled" by Shelton and called him a "future star," according to SNY's Andy Martino.

As they look to cut payroll for the 2020 season, the Athletics are discussing trades of reliever Blake Treinen, infielder Jurickson Profar, and catcher Josh Phegley, reports Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, adding that all three players are non-tender candidates.

For the Mets, who already have a potentially overcrowded infield and a starting catcher, the only player of interest here should be Treinen.

The 31-year-old Treinen was one of the best relievers in baseball in 2018 and one of the worst in 2019, and is projected to earn $7.8 million via arbitration in 2020 -- a potentially steep price for any interested team to pay in addition to giving literally anything up via trade.

When it comes to mashing a no doubter over the fence, a bat flip normally ensues. 

And the Mets had some memorable ones this season. 

From Pete Alonso to Todd Frazier, here are the best bat flips from the Mets this season...

The Mets and Jeremy Hefner are in agreement on terms for him to become pitching coach, reports SNY's Andy Martino.

Jon Heyman of the MLB Network reported on Tuesday that Hefner was the choice. 

Hefner, who worked this past season as the assistant pitching coach for the Twins, was hired by Minnesota as a scout after the 2017 season shortly after his pitching career ended.

Martino reported on Monday night that Hefner was a "very strong candidate" to land the Mets' gig while also reporting that Gil Patterson was out of the running.

The Mets need an experienced, everyday center fielder, specifically Brett Gardner.

The Yankees, though, again have a hole in center filed now that Aaron Hicks is expected to miss a large chunk of the 2020 season due to Tommy John surgery.

This is why earlier this month, Yankees GM Brian Cashman said that he's been in contact with Gardner's agent, despite reports late in the season that their time together had likely come to an end.

"I want to continue playing," Gardner said in October, according to the New York Post. "Physically and mentally I feel great. My family wants me to keep playing. Hopefully, that's here (with the Yankees)."

Two-time All-Star Josh Harrison signed with the Phillies on a minor-league deal on Tuesday, as announced by the team.

But according to a report from MLB Network's Jon Heyman, the Phillies weren't the only NL East team in contention for the veteran.

Heyman reports that Harrison's second choice was the Mets, but the 32-year-old utility man elected instead to sign with the Phillies, who will invite him to spring training as part of the deal.

Coming on as the Mets new manager, Carlos Beltran will be sure to reach out to his players throughout the offseason to touch base before Spring Training gets underway. 

Well, his call to RHP Marcus Stroman was on Tuesday, and Stroman definitely liked what he heard. 

Stroman went to his Twitter to explain how his conversation with Beltran showed him how much "insight and knowledge" he has. 

With the Mets hiring Jeremy Hefner to be their pitching coach, the brief tenure of Phil Regan as interim pitching coach will officially come to an end. But it doesn't look like the end of Regan's time with the Mets.

The "early indication" is that Regan will remain in the organization and again have a minor league role, while also assisting in Spring Training, reports Mike Puma of the New York Post.

The 82-year-old Regan, who took over for the fired Dave Eiland during the 2019 season and held the pitching coach job through the end of the season, has been serving as a pitching coach this offseason for Toros del Este in the Dominican Republic.

Gil Patterson is no longer in the running to be the next Mets' pitching coach, according to SNY's Andy Martino. Twins assistant pitching coach Jeremy Hefner is a very strong candidate to get the job, but nothing has been finalized, sources tell Martino.

Patterson, 64, epitomizes the term "baseball lifer." He was drafted by the Yankees at No. 7 overall in the 1975 draft, and though his playing career was over by 1982, he's been a coach at either the minor or major league level since 1984.

He has previously served as a major league pitching coach for the Blue Jays from 2002-2004 and is in his third stint with the Athletics' organization, currently as the team's minor league pitching coordinator.