MLB

The New York Yankees balked at adding a third year to its contract offer for Justin Verlander, according to Brendan Kuty of NJ.com.

The New York Post's Jon Heyman reported Monday that the New York Mets agreed to a two-year, $86.6 million contract with Verlander. Should the right-hander hit 140 innings pitched in 2024, there is a $35 million option in his contract that will vest for 2025.

In a vacuum, you can understand why a team would hesitate to commit up to three years to Verlander. He turns 40 in February and underwent Tommy John surgery in 2020. Sooner or later, the three-time Cy Young Award winner will start to fall off, and it could be sooner rather than later.

However, this will be viewed by many as a missed opportunity for the Yankees.

The Bronx Bombers have the financial resources to not only sign Verlander but also insulate themselves from the consequences if he doesn't work out. They have a clear need to bolster the starting rotation, too.

There's no reason—other than the team ownership being too thrifty—for the franchise to not make this happen. Then you have the optics of the Yankees getting outgunned by the Mets, something that would've been unthinkable a generation ago.

The price for the next best starting pitcher on the market might even be too high for New York.

Kuty reported left-hander Carlos Rodón is hoping to sign a six-year pact that averages around $30 million annually, and it's unclear whether the Yanks are "in for around that kind of commitment."

Fans have been growing restless for some time at what they perceive to be a lack of ambition from the Steinbrenners. As long as the team remains one of the most valuable in sports, the owners don't seem to care much.

The New York Mets wasted no time replacing Jacob deGrom in the starting rotation, signing Justin Verlander to a two-year, $86 million deal with a third-year option, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

The Mets already had the highest payroll in MLB at $184.7 million, per Spotrac, but the latest deal creates a massive cost under the league's luxury tax:

It also sets up an exciting starting rotation led by two of the best pitchers of their generation:

1. Max Scherzer
2. Justin Verlander
3. Carlos Carrasco
4. David Peterson
5. Tylor Megill

Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reported the Mets plan to add another starting pitcher this offseason.

The Mets had work to do to rebuild the starting rotation after deGrom signed a five-year, $185 million deal with the Texas Rangers. The two-time Cy Young winner had spent his entire nine-year career with the organization before opting out of his contract this offseason.

Chris Bassitt and Taijuan Walker, who finished first and second on the team in innings pitched last year, are also free agents. Re-signing one or both of these players would help shore up the back of the rotation.

New York is still in good shape at the top of the rotation with Max Scherzer and Verlander.

Scherzer, 38, has won three Cy Young awards and posted a 2.29 ERA in 23 starts during his first year with the Mets last season. Verlander, 39, won his third Cy Young this past season with the Houston Astros, tallying an 18-4 record with a 1.75 ERA and 0.829 WHIP before helping his team win the World Series.

Even with both approaching 40 years old, the future Hall of Famers have proved they can still get it done on the mound.

Carlos Carrasco bounced back from a rough 2021 with a solid showing last year, totaling a 3.97 ERA in 29 starts. Consistency was an issue, but his 2.94 ERA in 14 starts after July 1 should provide plenty of momentum going into 2023.

David Peterson also proved to be a trustworthy option last year with a 3.83 ERA in 28 appearances (19 starts). The 2017 first-round draft pick should have a spot in the rotation going into April after spending significant time in the bullpen in 2022.

There are more question marks about Tylor Megill, who went 4-0 with a 1.93 ERA in April before a biceps injury derailed his season. He finished the year with a 5.13 ERA and could be forced to prove himself before guaranteeing a starting role next year.

Elieser Hernández, who made 10 starts for the Miami Marlins last season, could be another option after coming over in a trade last month. José Butto, the team's No. 15 prospect on MLB.com, should also get an opportunity after reaching the majors last season.

The New York Mets are "among the teams talking" with free-agent outfielder Andrew Benintendi, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

Sherman said the Mets' discussions with Benintendi are "an indicator of the club seriously contemplating life without free agent Brandon Nimmo."

The New York Yankees, Houston Astros and "several other clubs" are also pursuing Benintendi, per Sherman.

The 28-year-old hit .304 with five home runs, 51 RBI, 54 runs, eight stolen bases, a .373 on-base percentage and a .772 OPS in 126 games between the Kansas City Royals and Yankees last season, making his first All-Star Game.

The combination of getting on base and stout defense in left field (2021 Gold Glove winner) should make him a highly sought-after player in free agency. His time in New York after a midseason trade was disappointing, however, as a broken bone in his right wrist cut his regular season short and kept him out of the playoffs.

For the Mets, he wouldn't be the most natural addition since the team has Mark Canha available in left field. If Nimmo signs elsewhere and the Mets add Benintendi, that would mean shifting either Canha or Starling Marte into center field.

Marte has more experience playing that position, though as Sherman noted, shifting either player centrally "has never seemed [to be the Mets'] preference for both defensive purposes and wear and tear, particularly on Marte."

However, general manager Billy Eppler has said the Mets would be comfortable moving Marte into center field if needed.

"Can Starling still play center field? Yeah, we believe he can," he said on Sherman and Jon Heyman's podcast The Show in November (h/t Danny Abriano of SNY). "That opens up some optionality for how we ultimately would fill out that outfield. But that being said, it's not a closed case by any stretch of the imagination."

It seems like a contingency the Mets will need to plan for. As SNY noted Monday, "Nimmo's market is robust, with the Mets, Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners and others having been linked to him."

The Mets have also splashed major cash to bring Justin Verlander aboard, which may factor into what they are willing to offer Nimmo:

Benintendi would be a logical backup plan as the Mets look to shore up the outfield.

The New York Yankees are "very much" in on Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds, per Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Mackey reported Saturday that Reynolds had requested a trade from the Pirates. MLB Network's Jon Heyman added that contract extension negotiations between the two sides had reached an "impasse," resulting in the trade request.

The Pirates released the following statement on Reynold's request, per MLB.com's Justice delos Santos:

"While it is disappointing, this will have zero impact on our decision-making this offseason or in the future. Our goal is to improve the Pirates for 2023 and beyond. With three years until he hits free agency, Bryan remains a key member of our team. We look forward to him having a great season for the Pirates."

Reynolds is not due to become an unrestricted free agent until 2026, so there's no desperation from the Pirates to move him. However, if they are overwhelmed by an offer, he could be on the move.

Reynold's trade request is somewhat of a surprise after he told reporters in October that he was looking forward to growing with a young Pittsburgh team.

"It's fun to have a consistent group that you're playing with," Reynolds said, per delos Santos. "Like I was saying with all the young guys, I think the future's bright, so obviously I'm looking forward to next year and the years after that. I think we're going to get better."

The 27-year-old has spent the first four years of his MLB career in Pittsburgh, bursting onto the scene in 2019 when he finished fourth in National League Rookie of the Year voting.

During the 2022 campaign, Reynolds slashed .262/.345/.461 with 27 home runs, 62 RBI and seven stolen bases in 145 games. His best season came in 2021, when he hit .302/.390/.522 with 24 home runs, 90 RBI and five stolen bases in 159 games en route to his first-ever All-Star Game selection.

If the Yankees were to acquire Reynolds, he would take over in center field for Harrison Bader. However, he could also be a fallback plan for the club if it fails to re-sign superstar outfielder Aaron Judge this winter.

It's unclear what it would take for the Yankees—or any team—to acquire Reynolds. However, it would likely take at least multiple top prospects.

Legendary first baseman Fred McGriff was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday.

McGriff was one of eight former players listed on the Contemporary Baseball Era ballot, with a panel of 16 voters weighing in. The panel voted unanimously in his favor.

Albert Belle, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Don Mattingly, Dale Murphy, Rafael Palmeiro and Curt Schilling all failed to meet the 75 percent threshold.

McGriff was a five-time All-Star and a three-time Silver Slugger during his 19-year MLB career. He finished with a .284/.377/.509 slash line and hit 493 home runs.

The homer total doesn't necessarily look impressive given McGriff played in the steroid era, but he led the National League in home runs twice (1989 and 1992).

Consistency was a hallmark of his game, too. Between 1987 and 2002, he never had an OPS+ below 106, per Baseball Reference. At 38 years old in 2002, he had 30 homers, 103 RBI and a .505 slugging percentage.

McGriff also delivered in the postseason, posting a .303/.385/.532 slash line in 50 playoff games.

As notable as McGriff's achievement is, some fans might focus instead on who didn't get elected by the committee.

Even when they're being judged by some of their peers, the specter of the Steroid Era was too much for Bonds, Clemens and Palmeiro to overcome.

Bonds is one of the greatest players in baseball history, and few pitchers can match what Clemens did on the mound. However, neither seems to have a path to Cooperstown, New York.

Mattingly didn't have any clear hurdle to a potential induction, and McGriff's nod might make his omission more difficult to square.

The New York Yankees legend was a six-time All-Star, a nine-time Gold Glove winner and the American League MVP in 1985. He doesn't have counting stats because lingering back problems sapped his power into his 30s. But he retired with a .471 slugging percentage and a 127 OPS+.

The MVP was a testament to how good Mattingly was in his prime.

After failing to get elected in his 15 years on the traditional ballot, the Hall of Fame remains a bridge too far.

The Boston Red Sox have not made a "competitive offer" to Xander Bogaerts in free agency, according to Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe.

Bogaerts "has been meeting with interested teams this weekend in person," Abraham added.

Additionally, USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported Sunday that Boston's offers to Bogaerts "haven't come close to enticing him to stay."

The news is somewhat surprising, especially after Sean McAdam of Boston Sports Journal reported in October that the Red Sox had met with the star shortstop to relay that retaining him was their "top priority."

Additionally, Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said at the time that the club wanted to build around Bogaerts, per McAdam:

"That's no different than where we've been. Our position hasn't changed on that. I've said this before, but nothing I say really matters unless there's a deal. But our position has been the same—that we want to keep him here for a long time and we want him here on a deal that we're going to look back on and say, 'This was great for everybody.' ... We want to build around him and win."

Bogaerts, who has spent his entire 10-year career with the Red Sox, opted out of the final three seasons and $60 million on the remainder of his contract in November to become a free agent and search for a more lucrative deal.

Before the 2022 season, the Red Sox offered Bogaerts a contract that would have paid him $90 million over four years, which would have run through 2026. The $22.5 million per season on that offer was only slightly higher than the $20 million per year he was making.

In April, one of the shortstop's friends told Jon Heyman of the New York Post the offer was viewed as a "slap in the face."

Bogaerts became a key cog in the Red Sox lineup since making his major league debut in 2013. The 30-year-old has helped the club win two World Series titles, and he has won five Silver Slugger awards, in addition to being selected to the All-Star Game four times.

And while the BoSox had a tough 2022 campaign, finishing last in the AL East with a 78-84 record, Bogaerts was arguably the team's best and most consistent hitter, slashing .307/.377/.456 with 15 home runs, 73 RBI and eight stolen bases in 150 games.

If Bogaerts walks in free agency, it's reasonable to believe the Red Sox will shift Trevor Story back to shortstop from second base in 2023. However, they would then have questions about who to deploy at second; at this point, it would likely be Christian Arroyo unless they add another second baseman on the open market.

Bogaerts is one of four premier free-agent shortstops available this offseason, joining Trea Turner, Carlos Correa and Dansby Swanson.

The Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres are among the teams interested in Bogaerts, according to Abraham. The Cubs have Bogaerts as their "top priority," per Nightengale.

Center fielder Bryan Reynolds has requested to be traded from the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Reynolds made the request because contract extension talks between the two sides have reached an "impasse."

Mackey reported there is no indication that the Pirates will move quickly to deal him.

The 27-year-old Reynolds, who was a National League All-Star in 2021, signed a two-year, $13.5 million extension with the Pirates in April and is under team control through 2025.

Mackey tweeted a statement released by the Pirates regarding Reynolds, with the team suggesting it has no plans to deal him:

"While it is disappointing, this will have zero impact on our decision-making this off-season or in the future. Our goal is to improve the Pirates for 2023 and beyond. With three years until he hits free agency, Bryan remains a key member of our team. We look forward to him having a great season for the Pirates."

The San Francisco Giants selected Reynolds in the second round of the 2016 MLB draft, and the Pirates acquired him in a trade of Andrew McCutchen in 2018. He made his debut in 2019 and has been a full-time player for the team since.

After hitting .314 with an .880 OPS and finishing fourth in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2019, Reynolds fell off significantly in the COVID-19-shortened 2020 campaign, hitting just .189 in 55 games.

The switch-hitter bounced back with the best season of his career in 2021, slashing .302/.390/.522 with 24 home runs and career highs of 90 RBI, 93 runs and eight triples.

Reynolds was named an All-Star for the first time, and he finished 11th in NL MVP voting.

Reynolds' slash line dropped to .262/.345/.461 last season, but he clubbed a career-high 27 homers and finished with 62 RBI, 74 runs and a career-high seven stolen bases as well.

The Pirates struggled as a team, losing 100 games for the second straight season and missing the playoffs for the seventh consecutive year.

Reynolds was by far Pittsburgh's most productive offensive player, and dealing him would likely send the Pirates even deeper into a rebuild.

They aren't obligated to trade him, but Reynolds would likely land a bigger return than anyone else on the roster, so they figure to at least entertain the idea of moving him for prospects.

The Baltimore Orioles are reportedly among the teams pursuing free-agent pitcher Carlos Rodón.

Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported the Orioles have joined the New York Yankees, New York Mets and San Francisco Giants in the mix for the lefty.

Rodón, who turns 30 on December 10, spent the 2022 season with the Giants. He went 14-8 with a 2.88 ERA and 1.03 WHIP while striking out 237 batters in 178 innings pitched.

The Mets are expected to be active in the free-agent pitching market after losing Jacob deGrom to the Texas Rangers. Heyman reported the Mets' top focus at the moment is Justin Verlander, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see them get more aggressive with Rodón in the aftermath of deGrom's departure.

The Yankees have been more intently focused on Rodón as they attempt to shore up their rotation behind Gerrit Cole. It's likely they will lose Jameson Taillon to the open market this winter, and Rodón would be a significant upgrade in that rotation slot. The Yankees also remain intently focused on retaining AL MVP Aaron Judge.

The Orioles are coming off a solid 83-79 season and could see the playoffs on their horizon if they find consistency in the rotation. Baltimore finished 21st in starter ERA last season, and Jordan Lyles was the only starter who topped 150 innings pitched.

Rodón has some major injury concerns—the 2022 season was the first time since 2016 he'd topped 150 innings—but his top-of-the-rotation stuff is undeniable. Landing him would be a major coup for the Orioles and would strike a blow to the rival Yankees' offseason plans.

The New York Mets and Texas Rangers are reportedly among the "many" teams pursuing free-agent pitcher Jameson Taillon.

Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported Taillon will get an "extremely good deal" in what's been a player-friendly market thus far.

The righty spent the last two seasons with the New York Yankees after injuries derailed a promising start to his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Healthy the last two years, Taillon compiled a 22-11 record with a 4.08 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 61 starts.

The Mets and Rangers both being interested creates an intriguing dynamic given the fact Texas just signed Jacob deGrom to a five-year contract. DeGrom spent his first nine MLB seasons in New York, emerging as the best pitcher in baseball, and is coming off back-to-back injury-plagued campaigns.

The $185 million deal might make the Rangers a little more budget-conscious in filling out the remainder of their roster, which could take them out of the Taillon sweepstakes.

Meanwhile, the Mets have $30-$40 million in surplus cash now that was previously earmarked for deGrom. No one would argue Taillon is even close to the same stratosphere as deGrom from a talent standpoint, but he's a solid arm for the back half of the rotation.

The Mets could use the money saved on a deGrom contract to create a more well-balanced—and, hopefully, healthier—roster for the 2023 season.

As it stands, it appears Taillon will be getting paid above his expected market value given the interest so far.