Joely Rodriguez heads to Beantown, and the Mets interested in a reunion with Adam Ottavino
Ottavino posted a 2.06 ERA and 188 ERA+ in 2022 for the Mets as their primary set-up man.
What’s Up with the Mets? 🍎
The Mets are interested in retaining RHP Adam Ottavino (New York Post)
The Rangers seem less likely now to sign Jacob deGrom, although it remains unclear if Texas or other teams will be in the bidding with the Mets (Athletic)
The Mets could engage the Tigers in a trade for relief help as well (New York Post)
The Mets are among four teams currently pursuing OF Brandon Nimmo (New York Post)
The Red Sox signed LHP Joely Rodriguez to a one-year, $2 million contract with a club option for 2024 worth $4.25 million (Athletic)
Both Mets and Yankees ownership are competing for a casino license to be used in a yet-to-built hotel near their respective ballparks (New York Post)
The Mets should make it easy on themselves and re-sign Adam Ottavino ✍🏻
Heading into 2023, the Mets pitching staff remains a concern. It maybe a concern when spring training begins in 2023 given it will mostly be a newly constructed pitching staff.
They are very thin in both the rotation and the bullpen, even with Edwin Díaz returning to lock down the ninth for five more years. Obviously, the Mets have plenty of time to make additions to the team before the start of spring training but perhaps they can mark off some items on their wish list at the upcoming Winter Meetings.
A good place to start would be to re-sign Adam Ottavino.
After struggling a bit out of the gate in 2022, he became arguably their best reliever not named Edwin Díaz. He was flat-out dominant in June and July. He didn’t give up a run in June until his last appearance on June 26 where he gave up a run against the Marlins. July was more of the same where he again gave up only one earned run for the entire month. In those two months, he pitched 21.2 innings to a 0.83 ERA with 21 strikeouts over 19 appearances during that span. While the Mets struggled down the stretch, Ottavino ended the season strong. He wasn’t as lights out as he was over the summer but over the final 30 games he had a 1.41 ERA in 32 innings.
Overall, it was an impressive season as he finished the year with a 2.06 ERA while serving primarily as the set up man to Díaz, a strong bounce back after two concerningly down years in 2020 and 2021. He relied primarily on his wipeout slider which batters hit just .165 against. He did just turn 37 in November but he stayed healthy throughout the year. He’s a New York native who has proven he can handle both the Met pressure cooker - Ottavino seems like an easy fit for the Mets even if it takes a two-year deal.
The club did already trade for Jeff Brigham to help shape the bullpen and there are other options in free agency like Corey Knebel or Will Smith if Ottavino signs elsewhere, but he was an integral part of the relief corps last season and right now the Mets need all the relief they can get.
Hot Stove 🔥
The White Sox have agreed to sign free agent RHP Mike Clevinger (Athletic)
The Dodgers have joined the Xander Bogaerts sweepstakes (WJDA)
The Pirates are signing 1B/DH Carlos Santana to a one-year contract (ESPN)
There are eight teams interested in SS Carlos Correa, with the Twins expected to make a big effort towards retaining him (New York Post)
The Astros, Cubs and Giants are among 11 teams showing interest in OF Cody Bellinger, who is seeking a one-year contract, and the Giants, Dodgers, Rangers and Yankees are showing interest in LHP Carlos Rodón (New York Post)
Right-hander Julio Teheran has signed with the Padres on a minor league deal (Jon Heyman)