The New York Mets made some changes to their lineup over the weekend, starting with Adrian Gonzalez. 

Mets Release 1B Adrian Gonzalez

The team announced on Sunday night it had released the 36-year-old first baseman after its 2-0 home victory over the New York Yankees. The Mets acquired Gonzalez in January, after the Atlanta Braves released him shortly following a trade.

This season, Gonzalez has six home runs and 26 RBIs, and is hitting .237. The first baseman has now become stuck in a 1-for-19 hitting slump.

According to ESPN, Gonzalez is earning $21.5 million this year, the final one of the seven-year, $154 million contract he signed in 2011 with the Boston Red Sox. After that, he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers and stayed there for over five seasons before landing with the Braves this offseason.

The Mets also said first baseman Dominic Smith would be called up from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday, just as the team starts a 10-day road trip. The Mets also revealed catcher Jose Lobaton would be designated for assignment.

Finally, the Mets will also reportedly recall utility man Ty Kelly from Triple-A this week.

Smith, who will be 23 this week, was hitting 260 with two homers and 25 RBIs at Triple-A. The Mets could also reportedly play two outfielders on their roster at first base: Jose Bautista and Jay Bruce. 

The Mets (28-34, fourth in NL East) play the Braves in Atlanta on Tuesday. New York is 7.5 games behind first-place Washington in its division.

After reaching the World Series this year, the Cleveland Indians were regarded as one of the American League favorites for next season.

MLB Report: Indians, Edwin Encarnacion Agree To 3-Year Deal

On Thursday, the Tribe announced a huge move: their signing of free-agent slugger Edwin Encarnacion. 

A source told MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez that the Indians have reached an agreement with Encarnacion on a three-year contract that includes a fourth-year option. The deal is worth $60 million guaranteed, which includes a $5 million buyout for the $25 million option for the 2020 season. The deal has not been confirmed because it is pending a physical.

The deal will likely not become official until after the holidays, as is usual for contracts agreed upon around this time of year.

Given that Mike Napoli is set to become a free agent this winter, the Tribe’s most evident need this offseason was power, particularly at first base and designated hitter. Thus, Encarnacion is the perfect fit for the Indians.

The Indians currently now they hold an advantage not only over their AL Central rivals– the other four teams are in various states of transition — but are returning as the AL champions for 2017. With one of the league’s top rotations, an elite bullpen anchored by Andrew Miller and Cody Allen, and a lineup that should have a healthy Michael Brantley back in the fold, it was a great opportunity to spend on a marquee bat.

Encarnacion, who will be 34 on Jan. 7, hit .263 with 42 home runs and 127 RBIs last season for the Toronto Blue Jays. Over the last five years, the Dominican first baseman has hit .272 with a .912 OPS and an average of 39 homers and 110 RBIs per season. During that five-year span, the three-time All-Star ranked second in the MLB in home runs (193) and RBIs (550), third in Isolated Power (.272), fifth in slugging percentage (.544) and sixth in OPS+ (146).

Encarnacion has also demonstrated that he can hit both lefties and righties.

Since 2012, his .909 OPS against right-handers was third best in the Majors among right-handed batters, trailing only Mike Trout and Miguel Cabrera.

Encarnacion reportedly turned down a four-year, $80 million offer to return to the Blue Jays, who swiftly moved on with the signings of free agents Kendrys Morales and Steve Pearce. With Mark Trumbo, Jose Bautista, Chris Carter and Napoli still on the market, Encarnacion’s potential landing spots diminished. The Tribe remained in touch, hoping his asking price would near their operating range.

The signing of Encarnacion will likely push Cleveland’s Opening Day payroll to around $120 million, barring any subtractions via trade. In July, the Indians traded four prospects to the New York Yankees in exchange for Miller.

Encarnacion remained a force in 2016, mashing 42 homers with an AL-best 127 RBIs.

TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 9: Edwin Encarnacion #10 of the Toronto Blue Jays runs the bases after hitting a two run home run in the first inning against the Texas Rangers during game three of the American League Division Series at Rogers Centre on October 9, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

Ryan Howard was honored by his Philadelphia Phillies in Sunday’s 5-2 home victory over the New York Mets, both teams’ final game of the regular season.

Phillies Fan Who Caught Ryan Howard’s HR Ball Returns It, Meets Retiring First Baseman

Though the 36-year-old first baseman’s career at Citizens Bank Park is winding down, some fans continue to show their admiration for him.

One such particular fan was 27-year-old John Markocki of Port Richmond, who was sitting in the right outfield seats when he caught Howard’s two-run homer ball, which came in the fifth inning of Saturday’s game. The Mets defeated the Phillies 5-3 on Saturday.

“They asked me if I wanted the ball signed and I said absolutely, so we went to the box office and they said that Ryan wanted the ball and in exchange I would be able to present him with the ball at the end of the game,” Markocki said. “He would give me another autographed ball and bat in place of that and I figured he would want the ball more than I do.”

This wasn’t the first time Markocki caught the ball off the bat of a Phillies first baseman, however. He also has a souvenir ball from Jim Thome, who coincidentally was replaced by Howard.

A special pre-game ceremony honored Howard, a team veteran and the only remaining member of the 2008 World Series Championship team.

His wife, Krystal, joined him on the field. Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt presented him with a commemorative plaque. For Howard, it was hard to keep back the tears.

“My family has grown with all of you,” said Howard.