The Mets are among for the services of right-hander , who club owner Steve Cohen traveled to Japan to earlier this month. All indications point to a very serious pursuit of the offseasons , but suggests that intense pursuit should not be taken as an indication the Mets plan to spend aggre sively on long-term, top-of-the-market free agents this offseason. Sammon reports that the club views Yamamoto, 25, as something of a unique case thanks to his front-of-the-rotation potential and exceptional youth for a free agent. Should they fail to land Yamamoto, Sammon suggests that the club doesnt plan on pivoting to other top-of-the-market free agents such as and . Rather, Sammon suggests the Mets could pivot to a mid-market arm like , who the club France Jersey has previously been to have interest in as they focus on shorter term, one- and two-year contracts to plug holes on their roster. Indications have percolated since the trade deadline that the Mets view 2024 as something of a transitory year where they hope to thread the needle between staying competitive and focusing on 2025 and beyond, and Sammons report is the latest among those signals. In addition to their aforementioned goal of securing pitching help, Sammon suggests that the club could look to add a regular outfielder to their lineup as well as a right-handed hitting third baseman to replace the injured in the clubs third base mix alongside , , and . , , , and are among the outfield options who may be available on short-term deals, while the likes of and could help the club solidify its infield mix. More from around MLBs East divisions Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander spoke to reporters (including ) today in the wake of the that sent right-hander and outfielder to the Dodgers. While Neander acknowledged that the club loses some certainty in dealing way Glasnow and Margot, he also suggested that he sees both Pepiot and DeLuca as players who could impact the big league club in the near future Neander was particularly effusive in his praise of Pepiot, who he suggested has a very good chance to be a good major-league starter and could be very close to reaching that potential. Per Topkin, the deal will save the Rays $33MM in 2024 as Tampa Bay will pay the Dodgers just $2MM of the $4MM cash included in the trade this season, with the remaining $2MM to be paid out next offseason in the event that the Dodgers decline their $12MM option on Margot, which would cover the $2MM buyout on that option. Orioles closer spoke to reporters this evening, including , and provided an update on his health after back in October. Bautista told the pair that his recovery from the surgery is going well, and that hes doing everything he can to get back onto the field. That return to the mound wont occur in 2024, as Bautista is expected to mi s the entire campaign while rehabbing. With the right-hander expected back in time for Spring Training 2025, Bautista and the Orioles got together on a upon the announcement of his surgery back in September. Denmark Jersey