The Mets announced a move today to add a fresh arm to their roster. The organization called up righty Corey Oswalt and cleared an opening with the somewhat surprising decision to option outfielder Brandon Nimmo.
Oswalt earned his way onto the 40-man roster with a good effort in 2017. The 2012 seventh-rounder worked to a 2.28 ERA in 134 1/3 innings at the Double-A level, recording 8.0 K/9 against 2.7 BB/9.
Whatever his future may hold as a starter, Oswalt will begin his MLB career by providing some depth in the bullpen. With Zach Wheeler set to be activated soon, though, Oswalt’s stay may not last long.
What’s most interesting about this move, perhaps, is the fact that Nimmo is the player who’ll end up being sent down. The 25-year-old impressed in 2017, in camp, and in the first several games of the current season. But he was pushed out of a clear role with the return of Michael Conforto.
With Conforto and Jay Bruce also representing lefty outfield bats, Yoenis Cespedes taking everyday time in left, and Juan Lagares functioning as a righty-hitting fourth outielder there just wasn’t a strong need for Nimmo. He’ll get regular action at Triple-A while awaiting another opportunity to stake a claim to a more permanent job at the game’s highest level.
Love Nimmo as a player but also his attitude. I wish Lagares would go and keep Nimmo on the team. Nimmo can play all the outfield positions while Lagares is a centerfield who can’t hit.
At least Lagares hits right handed, and can actually play good CF defense
Lagares is out of options and Nimmo is not. They want another fresh arm for Wheelers start. Nimmo will be back, possibly in the minimum days he has to be down, 10 days…
There is zero chance that any team claims Lagares and takes on his salary. They have been trying to dump him all winter but found no takers.
Any hope of getting value for Lagares in a mid season trade means he is on the major league roster
The Mets have some good outfield depth. Nimmo is way too useful to the Mets to be playing at AAA. I imagine at some point, unless someone gets injured, Jay Bruce is going to move to 1B to make room for Nimmo or they’ll trade Lagares.
Im a huge Nimmo fan so on one hand I’m disappointed… but objectively this is the right move. Doesn’t make sense to let his service time run out while he’s wasting away on the bench.
Biggest overachievers in 2018: New York Mets! Then again, an easy schedule is easy!
They just swept the Nats
Fake news! Sad!
?????? SMH SMH
3 win 0 loses to wash mats
I really like Nimmo and with how little of playing time he’s getting I feel like the Mets should just trade him for pitching so then Nimmo can get his playing time he deserves!!
Agreed
Not a demotion- just getting him everyday ABs.
What’s surprising about this is that they have a lot of arms in the bullpen but they’ve used Sewald just once in 9 games.
Went to high school and played ball with Corey, he is the first baseball player to make it to the bigs from Madison high school in San Diego, CA.
Played SS all throughout high school, his dad didn’t want him pitching until college ball or in the minors. Paid off well, the Mets have a guy now in their bullpen with hardly any miles on his arm.
It shall be interesting to see how they deploy him. I’m assuming it’s going to be in a long man/mop up role but it would be cool to see them use him in some high leverage situations right out of the gate.
The Mets Should Have Sent Hansel Robles Down Instead Of Nimmo. Nimmo Is The Best Pinch Hitter That The Mets Have !
Caps on all words? Why, exactly?
Just The Way I Send All My E-Mails . No Real Reason ! Does It Exactly Bother You ?
Yes, it is annoying. Glad I don’t get emails from you.
You emailed this comment in ?
A little. Seems like more trouble than it’s worth.
They are right, no real reason to do it.
Some say Lagares is up because he’s out of options. Some say it’s to showcase him for a trade. I say they’re playing Lagares until he inevitably gets hurt and call Nimmo back up for his DL stint
Caught in a numbers game. You may question his bat, but Lagares is a former GG CF and I love his defense. They are weaker on defense if they trade him and I for one would hate to see him go.
And Oswald is optioned – for Wheeler.
So Wednesday’s pen is Lugo, Gsellman, Blevins and Rojas.