Mets to sign Adam Ottavino

Mets and righties Adam Ottavino Agreed to a one-year, $4.5 million contract, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Sherman adds that the deal is pending a physical.

The arrangement will see Ottavino return to Queens for the third straight season just months after the right-hander declined a $6.75 million player option with the club. Earlier this week, Ottavino discussed his decision to turn down that option during an appearance on Foul Territory. The 38-year-old veteran explained that although he loved being part of the Mets organization, he had concerns at the time about the club's future given their uncertain managerial status at the time and rumors that the club was planning to fold. During the 2024 campaign. That kind of situation was not attractive to Ottavino, as he indicated that he hopes to win a World Series before his career is over.

Since Ottavino's decision to test the open market, the club has remained active at the lower levels of free agency and on the trade market. The club has strengthened its batting squad by bringing in players Harrison Bader And Tyrone Taylor Together with the player Joey Wendelwhile the bullpen was strengthened with the addition of Jorge Lopez. The most impactful changes can be found in the starting pitching staff, which the Mets acquired Shawnmania, Adrian HouserAnd Luis Severino To join the existing arms Kodai Senja And Jose Quintana As members of the rotation mix.

These additions, along with the hiring of former Yankees manager Carlos Mendoza as manager, appear to have given Ottavino the confidence in New York's chances in 2024 needed to re-sign with the club. While the player option the right-hander declined in November came with a nominally greater guarantee, it's important to note that Ottavino Sherman previously told That $4 million of his $6.75 million salary could have been deferred. This deal involves no such deferred money, which means that today's deal actually improves on the previously rejected option in terms of present value.

The veteran figures to provide a stabilizing force in the Mets bullpen for the 2024 campaign behind the star closer Edwin Diazwhere it will likely share setup tasks with the likes of Brooks Raleigh And Drew Smith. It's a role Ottavino is familiar with, as the righty has racked up 179 catches throughout his 13-year career in the major leagues in addition to his 45 career saves. Since establishing himself as the Rockies' starter in 2012, Ottavino has compiled a 3.25 ERA and a solid 3.52 FIP across 659 plate appearances with Colorado, Boston and both New York clubs. By measuring ERA+, the veteran has never posted a below-league-average campaign over a 162-game season, the only blemish on that resume being 18 1/3 innings of 5.89 ERA ball during the shortened 2020 campaign.

Those kind of stable production numbers would be a big boost for the Mets' relief corps, which struggled mightily down the stretch after parting ways with closer David Robertson At the trade deadline last summer. After the deadline, Mets relievers struggled to a 5.19 ERA which was sixth in the majors during that time frame. By contrast, Ottavino was a bright spot in the club's offensive line with a 2.55 ERA and 28.9% strikeout rate in 19 games in which he made six saves. Given this strong performance, it is no surprise that the club reached for a reunion with the veteran player as a solution to their search for additional help. Going forward, it's possible the club could look to add an addition at third base or DH, though president of baseball operations David Stearns has made it clear that the club doesn't want to take opportunities away from young players like Brett Patty And Mark Ventus With external additions.

The deal makes Ottavino the latest trading arm to exit the market in recent weeks. The right-hander joins the likes of David Robertson, Robert Stevenson, Aroldis Chapman, Hector NeresAnd Matt Moore In signing a new deal soon relief ace Josh Hader She recently agreed to a five-year agreement with the Astros earlier this month. Phil Mattoon, Ren StanekAnd Ryan Brasier She is among the best options remaining for clubs looking to bolster their relief squads.