Morning Briefing: Blue Jays Sign Cody Ponce to Three-Year Deal

Good morning, Mets fans!

The Toronto Blue Jays are finalizing a three-year, $30 million deal with Cody Ponce, pending a physical. Ponce, the 2025 KBO MVP, went 17-1 with a 1.89 ERA and 252 strikeouts, exhibiting improved velocity and a new splitter. He is expected to slot into the Jays’ rotation behind Dylan Cease, Trey Yesavage, Kevin Gausman and Shane Bieber, with José Berríos and Eric Lauer rounding out the team’s depth. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic first reported the deal, with ESPN’s Jeff Passan confirming the details shortly after.

Latest Mets News

Hayden Senger was named to the Dominican Republic Winter League’s team of the week. He’s gone 6-for-17 with three doubles and a home run in winter league action.

Former Met and Mariner Chris Flexen has signed a one-year deal with the Doosan Bears in the KBO, according to KBO insider Daniel Kim. Flexen posted a 3.09 ERA with the Cubs in 2025, aided by strong early-season performances, but a disastrous July led to his release in August.

Metropolitan Park was officially recommended for a gaming license, letting Steve Cohen and Hard Rock move to the final approval stage. The Gaming Commission will now decide whether the $5.3 billion casino and entertainment project can move forward. Cohen’s character and fitness review is the biggest hurdle. If approved, the development would bring major revenue and a full entertainment district to the area around Citi Field. MMO’s Chris Bello has more on the topic.

The Mets enter the final stretch before the Winter Meetings with plenty left to do. Signing Edwin Díaz remains a possibility, though the two sides are far apart on contract length. Several current Mets — including Jeff McNeil, Kodai Senga and Mark Vientos — are drawing interest around the league. Elsewhere, big names like Tarik Skubal, Ketel Marte and multiple Red Sox outfielders are creating movement across the market as teams position themselves for December.

MMO’s Robert Colonna covered it all in a rumor roundup from Tuesday.

Latest MLB News

The Braves announced that they’ve added left-handed depth by signing former Met Danny Young to a one-year split contract for 2026. Young, 30, was recently non-tendered by New York and is recovering from Tommy John surgery in May. He is not expected to return until the second half of 2026 at the earliest.

Per ESPN‘s Jorge Castillo, Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz appeared in Brooklyn federal court on Tuesday morning, where their trial was set to begin in early May with jury selection scheduled for May 4. Their next court date is a status conference on January 15.

Sonny Gray said he’s excited for his return to the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry. “It feels good to me to go to a place where it’s easy to hate the Yankees,” he said (via The Boston Globe‘s Tim Healey).

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that the 16-member Hall of Fame Board voting on this year’s contemporary ballot will include Hall of Famers Ozzie Smith, Robin Yount, Juan Marichal and Tony Pérez, along with MLB executives Kim Ng and Arte Moreno.

Additionally, according to the Players Association (via Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic), Dylan Cease’s seven-year, $210 million contract with the Blue Jays has deferrals that lower its present-day value to $184.6 million, or $26.4 million per season. That figure will also serve as the annual luxury-tax charge for Toronto.

Right-hander Alek Manoah, 27, has agreed to a one-year, $1.95 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels, according to ESPN‘s Jeff Passan. After being non-tendered by Atlanta, Manoah lands a fully guaranteed major league deal after a solid track record as a frontline starter.

The 2026 MLB Draft order is beginning to take shape now that Competitive Balance rounds are set. The lottery for the top six picks is scheduled for December 9. Teams like the White Sox, Twins, and Pirates have the highest odds for the No. 1 pick, while several clubs will receive compensation picks based on free agents who declined qualifying offers.

Latest on MMO

Eitan Hain breaks down newest Met Devin Williams’ profile.

On This Date in Mets History

1974: The Mets trade Tug McGraw, Don Hahn and Dave Schneck to the Phillies in exchange for John Stearns, Del Unser and Mac Scarce.

2018: The Mets acquire Edwin Díaz and Robinson Canó from the Mariners in a deal that sends Jarred Kelenic, Justin Dunn, and others to Seattle.

Born on This Date: Dave Eilers (1936), Wayne Garrett (1947), Mark Bradley (1956), Darryl Hamilton (1964), Kevin Morgan (1969), Paul Byrd (1970), Tobi Stoner (1984), Matt Reynolds (1990).

The post Morning Briefing: Blue Jays Sign Cody Ponce to Three-Year Deal appeared first on Metsmerized Online.