The Mets have agreed to a minor league take care of right-hander Alex Reyes, stories Aram Leighton of Simply Baseball. The righty additionally receives an invitation to main league spring coaching. The Mets additionally signed catcher Chris Williams to a minor league pact, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
Reyes, 30, is a serious unknown at this level in his profession. He was as soon as one of many high pitching prospects in all of baseball and has achieved some spectacular work within the large leagues, however accidents have been a major obstacle and he hasn’t pitched in any official sport motion since 2021.
Developing as a prospect with the Cardinals, Reyes was ranked on Baseball America’s high 100 record in 5 straight years from 2015 to 2019. He obtained into the highest ten in 2016 and made his main league debut, tossing 46 innings with a 1.57 earned run common. His 12.2% stroll charge was on the excessive facet however he additionally punched out 27.5% of batters confronted. Tommy John surgical procedure in February of 2017 worn out that season. His 2018 return was restricted by a lat pressure and he struggled in 2019 after that lengthy layoff.
He was again on monitor to a level in 2020 and 2021. He labored primarily as a reliever for these two years, tossing 92 innings for the Playing cards with a 3.23 ERA. His 16.4% stroll charge was terrifying however he struck out 30.3% of batters confronted and moved into the nearer’s function, saving 29 video games for St. Louis in 2021.
However as talked about, that was the final time Reyes has been on the mound. His proper shoulder gave him issues early in 2022 and he required surgical procedure in Could of that 12 months. He was non-tendered and signed with the Dodgers going into 2023 however then he required one other shoulder surgical procedure in June of that 12 months. The Dodgers turned down a membership possibility for 2024 and Reyes didn’t signal elsewhere.
It’s anybody’s guess what Reyes can do after three seasons misplaced as a result of shoulder surgical procedures however there’s no actual danger for the Mets on a minor league deal. If he can get again in type, he’ll be discovered cash. The Mets have the payroll to do something they need, as proven by their record-shattering deal for Juan Soto, however they appear to desire lower-cost upside performs for the pitching employees. Final offseason, they gave short-term offers to guys like Sean Manaea, Luis Severino, Adam Ottavino, Jake Diekman and others.
This winter, they’ve once more given comparatively quick offers to Clay Holmes and Frankie Montas in addition to minor league offers for guys like Génesis Cabrera, Chris Devenski and others, with Reyes now added to the record.
Williams, 28, was an eighth-round choose of the Twins and has spent his total profession with that membership till now. Primarily based on his minor league numbers, he appears to have a three-true-outcomes method on the plate. He has 1,919 minor league plate appearances to date, getting struck out in 29.2% of these but in addition drawing walks at a 14.5% clip and hitting 95 house runs. His general batting line of .227/.344/.464 results in a 110 wRC+. He has performed catcher and first base lots with temporary stints at third base and the outfield corners as properly, so he may give the Mets some depth at numerous spots.
