Morning Briefing: Vote Expected on Metropolitan Park Casino License

Good morning, Mets fans! Odds are a casino is coming.

The state Gaming Facility Location Board is expected to vote Monday on whether to approve up to three casino licenses, including one for Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International’s $8 billion proposed development on 50 acres of parking lots around Citi Field.

The project, which is expected to gain approval, includes a casino, Hard Rock hotel, live music venue, food hall, three multi-story parking garages, 25 acres of public park space and improvements to the train station. The casino will include 5,000 slot machines, 375 live dealer tables, 30 poker tables and an 18,381-square-foot sportsbook and bar, per an executive summary.

If approved, construction will begin in January and is expected to be completed in four years.

The two other licenses up for a vote are a Bally’s project planned to be built on an old golf course in the Bronx and an expansion of Resorts World at the Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, which already offers electronic gaming.

Latest Mets News

Kodai Senga wants to stick with the Mets, league sources told Will Sammon of The Athletic. The 32-year-old has attracted interest on the trade market, but he has a no-trade clause that allows him to block deals to 10 teams. (The 10 teams are unknown.) Senga is owed $28 million over the next two seasons and has a club option for 2028. James Villani has more on the report.

Latest MLB News

In his piece on Senga, Sammon also reported that the trade availability of Tarik Skubal and Freddy Peralta is still up in the air.

Buster Olney of ESPN reports that the Giants  have been asking around about “moderately priced” free agent pitchers, which conflicts with rumors that they are after Tatsuya Imai, considered the best free agent pitcher from Japan this offseason who is expected to earn a nine-figure contract.

Andy Martino of SNY reported last month that the Mets will be in on Imai, a 27-year-old right-hander who went 10-5 with a 1.92 ERA and struck out 178 in 163 2/3 innings pitched for the Seibu Lions this year.

Latest on MMO

Michael Simon has a wonderful piece reviewing Brandon Nimmo‘s 10 seasons with the Mets.

James Villani details Luisangel Acuña‘s strong play in the Venezuelan Winter League, which includes four home runs. He had another excellent showing Sunday, going 2-for-2 with a walk, sacrifice fly, two RBIs, two stolen bases and three runs scored. Here’s video of an RBI single to right.

Robert Colonna profiles free agent 1B/DH Josh Bell. He recommends the Mets steer clear.

On This Date in Mets History

1998: The Mets acquire Armando Benitez and Roger Cedeno in a three-team trade with the Orioles and Dodgers. Todd Hundley and Arnie Gooch are sent to Los Angeles and Charles Johnson goes to Baltimore.

2006: The Mets re-sign Tom Glavine to a one-year, $10.5 million deal.

2021: The Mets sign free agent Max Scherzer to a three-year, $130 million contract.

Born on This Date: Josh Walker (1994), Javier Báez (1992), Greg McMichael (1966), Julio Machado (1965), Herm Winningham (1961), Tom Filer (1956), Dan Schatzeder (1954), Dan Warthen (1952), George Foster (1948), Cookie Lavagetto (1912).

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