Mets sign two catchers and reliever as busy roster remake continues



The Mets’ roster churn on the margins continues.

David Stearns remained active on Friday, claiming outfielder/catcher Cooper Hummel off waivers from the Mariners and catcher Tyler Heineman off waivers from the Blue Jays. 

The Mets also signed reliever Kyle Crick to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training, The Athletic reported.

Hummel and Heineman, both switch-hitters, each have one minor league option remaining, giving the Mets some roster flexibility.

Hummel, 29, was originally drafted by Stearns and the Brewers in 2016 before being traded to the Diamondbacks in 2021 for ex-Met Eduardo Escobar.

Hummel hit .176 with a .580 OPS in 66 games with Arizona in 2022 — starting 17 games in left field, 14 at catcher and 12 at DH — before being traded to the Mariners last offseason.

In 10 games with Seattle this year (none at catcher), Hummel hit .087 with a .323 OPS, but hit .262 with a .844 OPS and 26 steals in 104 games at Triple-A.

The Mets claimed Cooper Hummel off waivers on Friday. Getty Images
The Mets signed Tyler Heineman. Getty Images

Heineman has more major league experience behind the plate, catching 96 games across parts of four seasons with the Marlins, Giants, Pirates and Blue Jays.

In 19 games this year with Toronto, the 32-year-old hit .276 with a .812 OPS.

The Mets’ 40-man roster now includes four catchers with Francisco Alvarez, Omar Narvaez, Heineman and Hummel.

Kyle Crick can compete for a Mets bullpen spot. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Crick, meanwhile, did not pitch in affiliated baseball in 2023 but from 2017-22 pitched for the Giants, Pirates and White Sox, accruing a 3.56 ERA in 194 appearances.

The 31-year-old right-hander should have a chance to win a job in the Mets bullpen.





Read more

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here