Your Thursday morning dose of New York Mets and MLB news, notes, and links.
Meet the Mets
The Mets and Lucas Duda avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal worth $1.6375 million. Duda was the last remaining arbitration-eligible Met to sign.
2008 Mets first-round pick Reese Havens has retired from baseball. Despite a promising set of tools, the second base prospect never had a plate appearance in the MLB. Havens will take a coaching job at Bishop England High School in South Carolina.
Around the Majors
The best free agent starter left on the market, Masahiro Tanaka, finally picked a team as he reached a seven-year, $155 million deal with the Yankees. The deal features an opt-out after four years. The contract is the fifth largest for a pitcher in MLB history, and by far the largest contract for a Japanese-born player ever.
Tanaka is reportedly the last major acquisition the Yankees will make this offseason. Given the fact that "Plan $189" is officially up in flames, this should be viewed with a barrel of salt.
Emma Span looked at the thought process behind the Yankees' addition of Tanaka.
Jonah Keri speculated on 10 possible moves that could result from the Tanaka signing.
At Fangraphs, Eno Sarris asked what the "perfect pitcher" would comprise of.
Grady Sizemore is back in the big leagues, as the Red Sox gave him a one-year, $700,000 major-league deal. Sizemore hasn't appeared in an MLB game since 2011.
The A's added yet another effective reliever, inking former Brave Eric O'Flaherty to a two-year, $7 million deal.
The Padres and Rayscompleted a seven-player trade, with Alex Torres heading to the Padres and Logan Forsythe ticketed for the Rays.
Andy Martino talked to some members of the MLBPA who are not pleased with Alex Rodriguez.
Yesterday At AA
Ari Berkowitz focused on the four Mets relievers almost guaranteed to make the roster.
James Kannengieser reviewed the AA community's projections for Mike Baxter in 2013.
If you read an article or find a link that you think would be a great addition to a future edition of Mets Morning News, please forward it to our tips email address tips@grission.com and we'll try to add it in.
