Michael Saunders is your Pool D MVP

By Bill BaerMar 10, 2013, 9:32 PM EST
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Canada outfielder Michael Saunders hit .727 playing against Pool D opponents United States, Mexico, and Italy in the World Baseball Classic. Of his eight hits, three were doubles and one was a home run in a deciding game against the U.S. earlier today. Overall, he drove in seven runs with his hot bat.

U.S. third baseman David Wright was considered a top candidate for the award as well, as he hit a crucial grand slam against Italy last night. Overall, he had five hits in 11 at-bats with three walks and five runs batted in as well.

Saunders hit 19 home runs playing right field for the Seattle Mariners last year in his first full season in the Majors.

Report: Mets sign Wilson Ramos to two-year, $19 million deal

Rob Carr/Getty Images
By Bill BaerDec 16, 2018, 4:55 PM EST
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The Mets have signed catcher Wilson Ramos to a two-year deal, SNY’s Andy Martino reports. The total value of the contract is $19 million, per Fancred’s Jon Heyman.

Ramos, 31, split last season between the Rays and Phillies, putting up one of the best offensive seasons among catchers. In 416 total plate appearances, he hit .306/.358/.487 with 15 home runs and 70 RBI.

Ramos will presumably get the lion’s share of plate appearances behind the plate with Travis d'Arnaud backing him up. Grandal was made a qualifying offer, so the Mets would have had to forfeit a draft pick to sign him. And, of course, Realmuto would have cost prospects. Ramos simply costs money.

The Mets were aggressively pursuing a catching upgrade, having been involved in rumors surrounding J.T. Realmuto and Yasmani Grandal, but ultimately settled on Ramos. New GM Brodie Van Wagenen has made a significant impact on the team already, having also added second baseman Robinson Canó and closer Edwin Díaz from a trade with the Mariners.