Report: Mets sign Adam Ottavino to one-year deal
New York has made their first bullpen addition by signing the veteran right-hander.
After addressing their starting rotation in a big way on Saturday, the Mets are now shifting their focus to the bullpen as they have reportedly signed RHP Adam Ottavino to a one-year, $4 million contract.
The news of the deal was first reported by Joel Sherman of the NY Post.
Ottavino, 36, comes off a solid campaign with the Boston Red Sox, posting a 4.21 ERA, 3.96 FIP, 10.3 K/9 and a 0.5 fWAR in 69 appearances.
While Ottavino did see a decline in strikeouts per nine and an increase in walks as compared to the 2020 season, the analytics suggest there is still something in the tank for the veteran right-hander. In 2021, Ottavino ranked in the 93rd percentile in average exit velocity against, the 91st percentile in expected slugging percentage and the 89th percentile in curveball spin rate according to Baseball Savant.
One area Ottavino particularly struggled in most this past season was fooling people with that hellacious curve, as he found himself in the 6th percentile in chase rate.
Ottavino essentially takes the place of Jeurys Familia, who signed with the division rival Phillies over the weekend, in New York’s bullpen.
With his addition, the Mets bullpen is beginning to take its shape as Ottavino joins Drew Smith, Miguel Castro, Seth Lugo, Trevor May and Edwin DÃaz. New York’s work in the late innings is not finished, however, as they are still on the hunt to add a left-hander or two with the departure of Aaron Loup earlier in the offseason.
The club has been linked to pitchers such as Andrew Chafin, Trevor Rogers and Brad Hand — who pitched for the club last season — according to various reports.