Morning Briefing: Stearns Pencils in Baty at Third Base

Good morning, Mets fans!’

On Tuesday, David Stearns met with reporters ahead of the GM meetings in Las Vegas. Here’s a summary of his key comments:

• Top-30 prospect Carson Benge will come into spring training “with a chance to make our team,” said Stearns. Benge, who turns 23 next year, is officially in contention for an Opening Day outfield job after a fast-track 2025 campaign.

• Both Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz would be welcomed back with open arms.

• Brett Baty appears to have locked up the third base job for the Mets next season. Stearns emphasized that Baty is “someone we would pencil in for significant third base time,” while adding that Mark Vientos is “very motivated to prove that last year is the outlier” and return to his strong 2024 form.

• Juan Soto will not see extensive time at designated hitter in 2026.

• Kodai Senga will not pitch out of the bullpen.

Read more here, via MMO’s Patrick Glynn.

Latest MLB News

Robert Murray of FanSided reports that infielder David Fletcher intends to retire after seven major league seasons. The 31-year-old spent most of his career with the Angels before finishing with the Braves.

Right-handed reliever Randy Dobnak has agreed to a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners that includes an invitation to spring training, per ESPN‘s Jeff Passan. The 30-year-old has recorded a career 4.86 ERA over 140 2/3 major league innings since 2019.

According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, the Royals are exploring the trade market for outfielders during this week’s GM Meetings, with the Angels and Red Sox among the potential trade partners.

Despite some rumblings, the Arizona Diamondbacks are reportedly holding onto All-Star Ketel Marte. GM Mike Hazen told MLB Network that moving Marte this winter is “mostly unlikely.”

Pat Murphy earned his second consecutive NL Manager of the Year award after leading the Brewers to a franchise-record 97 wins and a second straight NL Central title in 2025. Joining him is AL winner Stephen Vogt, who also repeated. This is the first time in MLB history that both Manager of the Year winners have won in consecutive seasons.

The Los Angeles Angels have hired former Mets bench coach John Gibbons as their new bench coach, as first reported by Jeff Fletcher of Orange County Register. Gibbons departs the Mets organization after two seasons as bench coach under skipper Carlos Mendoza.

The Atlanta Braves have officially finalized new manager Walt Weiss‘s coaching staff, confirming several hires. Most notably, former Mets pitching coach Jeremy Hefner and first base coach Antoan Richardson have joined the NL East rival’s dugout. The Braves also announced a late job shift for Tony Mansolino, who was initially hired as third base coach but will now serve as Weiss’s bench coach.

Catcher Austin Nola will not be headed to Braves spring training as a player. Nola was released from his minor-league contract Tuesday to become the Seattle Mariners’ new bullpen coach, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

According to Bobby Nightengale of the Minnesota Star Tribune, new Twins manager Derek Shelton has named three-time All-Star Grady Sizemore as his outfield and baserunning coach. He he will also coach first base. Sizemore, who spent the last two seasons on the White Sox staff and served as an interim manager, joins the Twins alongside holdover Ramon Borrego. Borrego, who was the first base coach last season, will now shift to third base.

MLB and the MLBPA have held preliminary labor talks as the baseball world braces for a potential lockout after the 2026 season. The current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires on Dec.1, 2026, and sources confirm owners are expected to push hard for a salary cap, an issue players have long deemed a “red line.” Lead negotiators Dan Halem (MLB) and Bruce Meyer (MLBPA) were present for the initial discussions. More here, via Evan Drellich and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Latest on MMO

Patrick Glynn looks at where the Mets’ payroll stands to start the offseason.

David Melendi advises the Mets to stay away from free agent Chris Bassitt.

On This Date in Mets History

1985: Dwight Gooden is named the NL Cy Young Award winner after leading the majors in wins, strikeouts and ERA.

2019: Jacob deGrom wins the NL Cy Young Award for the second consecutive season.

2023: The Mets name Carlos Mendoza their newest manager.

The post Morning Briefing: Stearns Pencils in Baty at Third Base appeared first on Metsmerized Online.