The Mets have claimed outfielder Bryce Brentz off waivers from the Pirates, Adam Berry of MLB.com was among those to report.
The 29-year-old Brentz joined the Pirates via trade with the Red Sox in February, but he didn’t last long in Pittsburgh. The club placed him on waivers this past weekend. Because Brentz is out of options, he’ll have to go through waivers again if the Mets attempt to send him to the minors. If that doesn’t happen immediately, it likely will when star outfielder Michael Conforto comes off the disabled list. Assuming the other New York outfielders stay healthy early in the season, Conforto would be part of a contingent that features other well-known names in Yoenis Cespedes, Jay Bruce, Brandon Nimmo and Juan Lagares.
Although Boston chose Brentz in the first round of the 2010 draft, he has barely played in the majors thus far. He collected just 90 plate appearances with the Red Sox, in fact. The righty-swinger spent all of last season at the Triple-A level and posted a healthy .271/.334/.529 line (138 wRC+) with 31 home runs in 494 plate appearances.
interesting
why
We needed outfield depth
Where’s my fellow Red Sox fans that said Brentz was the fourth outfielder candidate. LOL.
Some people have no clue that there’s a major difference between the big leagues and the minor leagues.
Brentz became expendable after the Pirates made the trade with Tampa. Talk was also Nava platooning in left but again was early in spring training. Brentz was more of a numbers game in Boston. Never considered great but never had a chance either to force his way into the team the last three years. First it was Chris Young’s two year deal and this year Swihart’s versatility. With injuries a part of the Mets recent outfield past, he an stick. Also early in the season he very likely will now pass through waivers.
Bummer as a Pirates fan. Hope he gets some AB’s to start the season and does well so he can finally show he belongs in the Bigs. If he does not stick with the Mets, hope some team gives him a change.
He’s 30 and still playing baseball professionally. He’s been given plenty of chances to show what he can do. Plenty of guys get cut and don’t get a chance. He’s been sticking around for eight years. Lot of guys wish they were 30 still playing professional baseball and given a chance to show what they have.
A lot of guys are good enough but just not better than who already have the existing job. Yes many do get cut,. Obviously he has some talent for as you say he is still playing. Like many players, needs an extended chance in the bigs to be able to stay. I was bummed because I would have liked to see him get a chance in Pittsburgh but now he has a chance with the Mets. If he can string some at bats he might keep getting a chance in NY or another team may need an outfielder and give him a chance if the Mets try to outright him.
You’re a hundred percent correct in an overall sense. I’m just jawing at my fellow Red Sox fans who went on and on this winter about his 30 home runs in the minors in 2017.
They said He’s ready to play at the major league level because of that. I said back then that he’s not a major league player.
But what if he’s the next Rick Lancelotti?
Thats my point… he is !!
I wish that MLBTR would stop referring to them as “outfielders”, and instead distinguish between “corner outfielders” and “center fielders”. It’s a small piece of information that makes a huge difference in making sense of a story, signing, or trade.
You wouldn’t just lump Andrelton Simmons in with Albert Pujols and call them both “infielders”.
But they both play the infield
I elieve Brentz can play all 3 OF positions so it would be correct to call him an outfielder.
Right but the issue is they use that term for literally everyone that can play one OF position.
I had thought the Mets 40 man roster was full.
The Mets yet to place Wright and Montero on the 60-day DL. There’s your room.
Conforto starts the season on the DL too. Another spot. Mets should just cut AGon, move Bruce to 1B and play Nimmo in CF and Brentz in RF until conforto is ready.
LOL so a thirty year old is cut from a team and has 90’plate appearances and you’re Ready to anoint him starting right fielder on opening day
This is an organization that started Cowgill on opening day
I would take Adrian Gonzalez over Bryce brentz any day of the week. Even at this stage of their careers.
If Phil Evans has options, Brent’s can get his spot – they can more easily pass him thru waivers after Opening Day.