The Rays are going to the World Series, and they got there behind a familiar name the Mets know well.
Freddy Peralta took the ball in Game 6 of the ALCS and turned in exactly the kind of outing Tampa Bay needed, pitching the Rays to a 7-3 win over the Guardians. Peralta earned the victory, his second of the series, and then added ALCS MVP honors to the night.
It was a major moment for the Rays, and it landed on the 18th anniversary of Tampa Bay’s first World Series berth in 2008. Yandy Díaz, who had predicted the series would end in six, delivered the knockout blow to send his club through. Junior Caminero also had a memorable night, crushing his first career postseason home run.
Back in Queens, the Mets are still sorting through their own offseason business. Anthony DiComo examined what the team may have taken away from Freddy Peralta’s disappointing stint in New York and his later resurgence with Tampa Bay.
Meanwhile, Kevin Long is scheduled to meet with the Mets today about a coaching staff role, according to a source relayed by Mike Puma. Long most recently worked as the Phillies’ hitting coach, and he previously held the same job with the Mets in 2015, when they reached the World Series.
The Mets also have a second-base picture to sort out, and Danny Abriano broke down the options there. On the medical front, Jay Horwitz offered a positive update on Ethan Wilson, the Senior Director in the Mets’ media relations department, who had surgery a few weeks ago.
Around the division, Mark Bowman checked in on the progress of Atlanta’s farm system, while Charlotte Varnes and Matt Gelb pulled together offseason takeaways for the Phillies, including the outfield, bullpen, catching, and the organization’s analytics group.
Elsewhere across baseball, the Hanshin Tigers will post Teruaki Sato soon, opening the door for him to sign before the expected lockout on December 1. The Mets are among the teams expected to pursue the Japanese slugger.
The Yankees are keeping Aaron Boone in place as manager in 2027, though he’ll head into the final year of his current contract without an extension. Sonja Chen also looked at what the Dodgers might take from Shohei Ohtani’s injury-plagued 2026 season.
Adam McCalvy shared a few Brewers fan stories that even the late Bob Uecker would have appreciated. The Athletics hired Taylor Smith as President of Baseball Operations, and the Orioles brought in Jared Banner as their General Manager. Yankees catcher Austin Wells said his season was thrown off by multiple foul balls to the head.
In Other News...
Mets Look Ready To Move On From Mark Vientos For Good
Mark Vientos has become one of the more obvious names to watch as the Mets look ahead, especially with several clubs around the league trying to patch holes at first base or designated hitter. Arizona, San Diego and Cleveland each make some sense as landing spots because each has a need that Vientos could help fill, and for a team looking to trim costs, his profile could be attractive enough to keep in the conversation even without a big market bidding war.
For the Mets, the bigger picture is less about one specific trade partner than the sense that a change may be coming sooner rather than later. None of the interest being floated is confirmed, and theres no official transaction on the board yet, but the fit with those three teams does underline how movable Vientos could be if New York decides to keep reshaping the roster around other priorities. [Read more 🡒]
Mets Reunion Could Shape The Next Step For Several Key Bats
The Mets are at a familiar crossroads on the hitting side, with the club scheduled to meet with Kevin Long about a possible role on the staff. Long is no stranger to Queens, having guided the lineup during the teams 2015 World Series run, and he arrives on the market after being let go by the Phillies following five seasons in Philadelphia.
His possible return comes at an important moment for a group of bats that still need direction, especially after the Mets moved on from director of hitting Jeff Albert after the regular season. If Long ends up back in the organization, his presence could have real impact on the development paths of players like Brett Baty, A.J. Ewing and Jared Young, which is why this interview could matter well beyond a routine coaching search. [Read more 🡒]
Mets Took A Big Center Field Gamble And Fans Can Finally Judge It
When the Mets made the move to bring in Luis Robert Jr. to man center field, the idea was straightforward: stabilize a premium defensive spot and get more offense out of it. Instead, back issues sent Robert to the Injured List for a significant stretch, and A.J. Ewing quietly went from fill-in to everyday center fielder while the club waited for the original plan to sort itself out.
By the time Robert was ready to return, the Mets had already made their choice about where the long-term value was. Ewings role only grew in Roberts absence, and the organization ultimately let Robert go on waivers to the Orioles rather than hold onto a player tied to a $20 million option. It left New York with a clearer picture of the gamble it took in center field, even if the final evaluation will keep unfolding from here. [Read more 🡒]