MLB Weekly Digest December 20th Edition: Mets Hire Buck Showalter

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The prior week in MLB was about a team in the National League selecting a new manager, a free agent receiving a lucrative offer, and a club in the American League adding outfield depth.

New York Mets Hire Buck Showalter as Manager

Mets name Buck Showalter as their next manager. https://t.co/BlylStrpJV pic.twitter.com/5QqFuWVtdu

— MLB (@MLB) December 18, 2021

The New York Mets have hired Buck Showalter as their new manager, per an announcement by team owner Steve Cohen a couple of days ago.

I’m pleased to announce Buck Showalter as the new manager of the New York Mets

— Steven Cohen (@StevenACohen2) December 18, 2021

Showalter is joining the Mets on a three-year deal, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

Buck Showalter has 3 year deal to manage Mets

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 18, 2021

The veteran skipper becomes the 24^th manager in franchise history.

He previously managed the New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers, and Baltimore Orioles.

Showalter becomes the fifth manager in MLB history to manage both New York cubs, joining Casey Stengel, Yogi Berra, Joe Torre, and Dallas Green.

The Mets were searching for a new manager for several months after they had dismissed Luis Rojas at the end of the season.

Before selecting Showalter, the team interviewed Tampa Bay Rays bench coach Matt Quatraro and Houston Astros bench coach Joe Espada.

The hiring of Showalter was an intelligent move by the Mets.

He has plenty of experience, is very knowledgeable, and is respected in the sport.

The team is hopeful that Showalter can guide the team to a title.

Detroit Tigers Reportedly Offered Shortstop Carlos Correa 10-year, $275-Million Contract

This offseason, the Detroit Tigers made a substantial contract offer to free-agent shortstop Carlos Correa.

According to Buster Olney of ESPN, the Tigers offered Correa a 10-year, $275-million contract before the lockout.

Correa seeks to surpass the $341 million deal that Francisco Lindor signed with the New York Mets.

In early December, the Tigers signed shortstop Javier Baez to a six-year, $140-million contract.

It is unknown if the Tigers will make another offer to Correa after signing Baez.

If he does not get the deal he desires, Correa could re-sign with the Houston Astros on a shorter deal with a high average annual value.

Correa had a solid 2021 campaign with the Astros as he posted a .279 batting average and .850 OPS in 148 games with 104 runs scored, 34 doubles, one triple, 26 home runs, and 92 RBIs.

Once the lockout is over, it will be interesting to see the type of contract that Correa signs.

New York Yankees Sign Outfielder Ender Inciarte to Minor-League Deal

According to their transactions page, the New York Yankees have signed outfielder Ender Inciarte to a minor-league deal.

The former All-Star and Gold Glove winner played with the Atlanta Braves last season before being designated for assignment and released.

Inciarte compiled a .215 average and .592 OPS with two home runs and 10 RBIs in 52 games.

The outfielder has a .716 OPS with 42 home runs and 118 stolen bases in eight seasons.

The Braves acquired Inciarte in 2015 as part of the Dansby Swanson trade that sent Shelby Miller and a prospect to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Yankees signing Inciarte to a minor-league deal gives them outfield depth, with Aaron Hicks sidelined due to wrist surgery, and Brett Gardner might not return as he is a free agent.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a 29-year old New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

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