The Mets have claimed right-hander William Woods off waivers from the Braves, per announcements from both clubs. Atlanta had designated Woods for assignment earlier in the week.
Woods, 23, tossed a pair of scoreless innings in his big league debut this season but was torched for a 6.04 ERA in 25 1/3 innings across three minor league levels as well. The former 23rd-rounder also gave up a dozen runs in 12 2/3 innings during this year’s Arizona Fall League.
Forearm and ankle injuries have limited Woods’ time on the mound across the past two seasons, and he was of course unable to pitch competitively in 2020 thanks to the canceled minor league season. His 2019 campaign showed a good bit of promise, as he tossed 51 innings of 3.35 ERA ball with a 26.6% strikeout rate in Class-A, though Woods also walked 13.3% of the hitters he faced that season.
Baseball America ranked Woods 21st and 25th in the Braves’ system over the past two seasons, noting that in single-inning stints his fastball can reach 100 mph. That pitch is complemented by a slider and changeup that, at times, look like potential above-average offerings.
Woods is the latest in a growing line of arms the Mets are stockpiling as they look to cultivate some depth in the upper minors. In addition to Woods, the Mets have claimed righty Stephen Ridings from the Yankees and acquired right-handers Elieser Hernandez and Jeff Brigham in a trade with the Marlins — all in the course of the past 72 hours. All four of those pitchers have minor league options remaining, which is surely key for the Mets.
It’s unlikely that any of that newly acquired quartet is viewed as a lock to make next year’s Opening Day roster, but Hernandez provides some depth at a time when Jacob deGrom, Chris Bassitt and Taijuan Walker are all free agents. Meanwhile, the trio of Ridings, Brigham and now Woods create some optionable bullpen depth to a Mets club that has re-signed Edwin Diaz but has also seen each of Adam Ottavino, Seth Lugo, Trevor May, Trevor Williams, Joely Rodriguez and Mychal Givens reach the open market.
Optionable
Forearm issues? Is his middle name tommy or John?
Here comes more of the Long Island Mets fan posse with wacky hot takes on depth moves every club makes
Dumpster diving
Stop..
Just like every other team.
Really good, no risk pickup here. I was a bit angry we let him go, but he’s injury prone
Same here, the Mets got a decent relief prospect.
Nice pickups for the Mets recently. Depth had always been in issue in recent years
Woods is young and throws hard. Hopefully the Braves assessed this move right. This seems to be one that could come back to bite them though and nothing at all to show for losing him.
LOL Mets They call this adding pitching depth players DFAd by the Marlins and Braves. This reminds me of last Season’s trading deadline where they upgraded DH by adding Vogelbach and Ruf. Hucksters I thought it was ending when the Wilpons left Dodge.
Yeah, might as well just not even have a minor league system. Do they even need players on the roster at all in AA or AAA? I can’t believe Cohen is so cheap that hes not signing all future HOFers to play in the minors. What a dumpster diver.
Love this robrock guy…..”everything the Mets do is stupid.” Also…..”let’s go Mets!”
Mute button comes in handy for this reason