Since signing Juan Soto to a document, 15-year, $765 million contract final week, the Mets have made solely minor strikes, signing a pair of gamers out of the KBO and a minor league catcher. This isn’t precisely what followers anticipated, however these signings serve an essential objective.
The Mets signed infielder Jared Younger to a one-year, main league contract earlier this week, and have reportedly signed left-hander Brandon Waddell and catcher Chris Williams to minor league offers. Younger and Waddell had been teammates on the Doosan Bears in South Korea and turned in stellar 2024 seasons, whereas Williams spent final 12 months in Triple-A with the Minnesota Twins and posted an .800 OPS.
These could be signings to bolster the depth approach down the depth chart, however nonetheless, they do enhance the depth across the margins of the roster. It is a essential, although typically missed, a part of the roster. It’s one thing earlier Mets executives have uncared for, however one thing president of baseball operations David Stearns has emphasised.
Stearns has lengthy had a status for having the ability to determine expertise that may present an impression at numerous ranges of the group. When he was employed final fall, he talked about how essential it’s to have depth at spots 40-50 and even past on the roster. Stearns has the ultimate say relating to the gamers his scouts advocate, and identifies sure gamers himself.
A few of these strikes labored effectively final 12 months, however some didn’t. Stearns has the good thing about an proprietor, Steve Cohen, who’s keen to chop ties with gamers with out worrying concerning the monetary ramifications to the payroll. We noticed this when the Mets designated infielder Joey Wendle and catcher Omar Narvaez for task final 12 months. They had been each on main league contracts with sufficient service time to say no minor league assignments, and opted for his or her launch whereas retaining their salaries.
However then got here Jose Iglesias and Luis Torrens to take their locations. Iglesias signed a minor league contract final offseason whereas the Mets traded for Torrens after shedding catcher Tomas Nido on waivers.
With out Nido, the Mets want one other backstop at Triple-A. Presently, the Mets solely have two on their 40-man roster. Hayden Senger traveled with the group in the course of the postseason as a member of the taxi squad, however Senger’s bat has but to develop. The 28-year-old Williams provides the Mets a veteran minor league catcher who may possible give the group an enormous league at-bat if wanted.
Over three seasons within the KBO, Waddell pitched to a 2.98 ERA, placing out almost eight hitters per 9 innings (7.9) and strolling 2.4. Primarily a starter, Waddell helps the beginning pitching depth and will compete for a spot within the bullpen out of spring coaching. A 30-year-old who performed faculty ball at Virginia, Waddell has 11 video games of main league expertise, most not too long ago pitching for St. Louis, Minnesota and Baltimore in 2021. Extra importantly, he has another minor league choice.
Younger additionally has two choice years left, which supplies the Mets some roster flexibility relating to the infield. The 29-year-old Canadian performs first base, second base and left discipline. Final 12 months, Younger posted a 1.080 OPS in 169 plate appearances for Doosan, hitting .326 with 10 residence runs.
It’s an intriguing pickup that insulates the Mets in just a few methods. There isn’t any first baseman in the mean time with Pete Alonso having turn out to be a free agent. Stearns stated they view Mark Vientos as a 3rd baseman, however that might change in the event that they find yourself utilizing Brett Baty at third.
Baty additionally performs second base and left discipline, although his main place has all the time been third base. Whereas the Mets do want extra center infield assist, they could get that from Luisangel Acuña.
Followers could be clamoring for Alonso, however none of those signings preclude the Mets from signing the star slugger. The Mets will proceed to search for extra depth at numerous positions whereas pursuing greater names for the large league roster in free company or by trades.
