Morning Briefing: Elian Peña To Make Stateside Debut This Season

Good morning, Mets fans!

On Monday, Mets Player Development announced that SS Elian Peña is coming stateside in 2026 to play in the Florida Complex League. He’s been added to the Mets’ Domestic Reserve List.

Last season, as a member of the DSL Mets Orange, Peña had nine home runs, 33 RBIs and a slash line of .292/.421/.528 across 178 at-bats. These numbers were good enough to win him DSL Player of the Month for August of 2025.

Peña, a shortstop from the Dominican Republic, initially signed in January of 2025 for a Mets record of $5 million. That mark is the second highest figure in history for international signings. Currently listed as the Mets’ No. 10 prospect, expect Peña’s stock to climb as the 2026 season gets underway.

Latest Mets News

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies announced that two 2025 Rumble Ponies made the top 10 RHP prospect list, with Nolan McLean at No. 1 and Jonah Tong at No. 7.

Twenty years ago today, Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling joined SNY as color analysts alongside Gary Cohen on play-by-play, via SNY.

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USA Baseball announced that two-time All-Star Byron Buxton is joining Team USA for the World Baseball Classic.

The Pittsburgh Pirates reported on the passing of former Pirates pitcher Dave Giusti. Giusti spent seven of his 15 big league seasons with the Pirates and was an important member of the 1971 World Championship team.

The Minnesota Twins hired Michael A. Taylor as outfield instructor, according to Bobby Nightengale Jr, Taylor spent 12 seasons as one of MLB’s premier defensive outfielders, winning a Gold Glove in 2021 as a member of the Royals.

World Baseball Classic announced that Harry Ford is heading back to the World Baseball Classic. MLB Pipeline’s No. 3 catching prospect will once again play for Team Great Britain.

The Tampa Bay Rays announced that they acquired INF Brett Wisely and LHP Ken Waldichuk from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. As part of the move, RHP Osvaldo Bido and INF Tsung-Che Cheng were designated for assignment. 

Jon Heyman of the NY Post reported that the Yankees and Cody Bellinger talked through the weekend and again Monday, but the disagreement continues to be the length of the deal. 

Baseball America published a story announcing that they are looking to hire a college/draft writer. Details in the article.

Latest on MMO

Allison Waxman wrote about 2025 Bowman draft baseball.

John Stocum profiled the free agency of Kyle Tucker.

On This Date in Mets History

1998: The Mets signed Japanese pitcher Masato Yoshii as a free agent. The initial deal was for one year, 200 thousand dollars, with incentives that could take it over $1 million. After a solid NPB career with the Yakult Swallows, Yoshii passed up on larger offers in Japan to fulfill his dream of playing in the MLB.

Born on This Date: Kevin Mitchell (1962), Elmer Dessens (1971), Heath Hembree (1989).

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