Now a Tiger, Joba Chamberlain is excited to have a beard

By Bill BaerJan 25, 2014, 6:05 PM EST
33 Comments

Getting away from the limelight in New York, and all the stress and expectations that come with it, might be just what Joba Chamberlain needs to get his career back on track. He logged 42 innings last season, the most he has pitched since 2010. He’s had Tommy John surgery, surgery on his ankle, and suffered a strained right oblique. But getting a fresh start with a new team isn’t what has Chamberlain excited.

Via Jason Beck on Twitter:

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

Rob Carr/Getty Images
By Bill BaerDec 16, 2018, 4:55 PM EST
3 Comments

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.