The Mets announced they’ve released reliever Yoan López. The move frees a 40-man roster spot for infielder Danny Mendick, who has officially signed a one-year free agent contract.
It seems the López release was designed to facilitate his heading overseas. Francys Romero reported this week (Twitter link) that the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball were negotiating a deal with the Mets about buying out his contract. The Wasserman client will apparently make the jump to Japan’s highest level for the first time, securing a loftier salary than the one he’d have made if he spent much of next season shuttling on and off New York’s active roster.
López, 30 next month, has appeared in the last five MLB seasons. Formerly a high-profile international signee of the Diamondbacks, he played four seasons in the desert. The righty posted a 3.41 ERA over 60 2/3 innings in 2019 but otherwise put up subpar numbers at the MLB level. López bounced around via waivers last offseason before landing in Queens, where he worked as a depth reliever.
He appeared in eight MLB games as a Met, tallying 11 innings of eight-run ball. López threw 35 innings at Triple-A Syracuse, posting a 5.14 ERA. His underlying numbers at the top minor league level were more impressive, as he racked up grounders on over 57% of batted balls. López also struck out 23.8% of opponents against a 9.4% walk rate in Triple-A while averaging nearly 96 MPH on his fastball during his limited MLB time.
Additionally, New York announced agreement with left-hander Joey Lucchesi on a 2023 contract to avoid arbitration. Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports he’ll receive a $1.15MM salary (Twitter link). That’s an identical match for this year’s salary, which isn’t surprising since the southpaw missed the whole year rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. He’s expected to factor in as a swingman or depth starter for New York next season, and he’ll be eligible for arbitration once more at the end of the ’23 campaign.
NYM have Peterson, Megill (of PHI combined no hitter fame) and Lucchesi as depth SP. honestly perhaps Megill could profile as a middle reliever but not sure that suits the others. Why I think there is some smoke to Carrasco being shopped. Whether the return would be significant – no idea
I’d still prefer to keep Carrasco if I were the Mets, but boy are they deep.
I don’t understand why Peterson isn’t given a roster spot. He’s pitched well for them, is left handed and has good stuff.
I thought he had one.
He has a roster spot. I think he means rotation spot.
Ohh I see. I imagine he and Megill would compete for one in ST.
Is it normal for Japanese teams to have to buy out MLB contracts or do teams just normally grant a player their release?
Typically, from what I’ve seen, any player that wants to go overseas, teams will grant them their release.
Usually, the players we see go overseas though are end of the roster, AAAA guys, so teams generally have no issues granting them their release.
Clearly the Mets were motivated to do this as a cost-cutting measure.
Some Japanese team offer them some money and, desperate to balance their budget, the Mets agreed.
I’m kidding of course. The Mets don’t worry about a budget. This isn’t the Pirates.
That’s not what the Mets were saying when the Wilpons were in charge. When the Pirates get a new owner things will change there too. Pittsburgh is a loyal fanbase. They deserve better than what they have gotten.
Petersen and MeGill both on Roster.
They are keepers and Carrasco is staying. Baty is going to beat out Vagelsnack as LH-DH.
Vogelfat rumored to be in negotiations with Dunkin Donuts.
Vogelbach vs RHP in 2022: .261/.382/.497/.879
Vogelbach vs RHP in his career: .238/.364/.458/.822
Those are solid numbers no matter how you slice it. I think Baty will start in Syracuse for a bit to work on his LF play, then join the Mets as a LF, filling in and eventually replacing Canha, not Vogelbach.
I thought the release of Lopez was for Ottavino’s spot on the 40-man. The trade of McCann corresponds to the signing of Narvaez. I’m not sure who is off the roster yet for Correa and Mendick.
Ruf? Vogelsnack?
Vogelbach is not going anywhere. Not sure what your vendetta is against him, but he’s going to be their DH vs RHP.
Yawn Lopez sucks but the Mets were willing to do anything to dump Matz.
The release of Lopez was for Mendick’s spot like the article says. When Correa’s signing becomes official, they’ll have to remove someone. If it’s a position player, maybe Khalil Lee gets DFAd? Ruf & Voglebach are staying. At least for now. Maybe Ruf gets traded for a minor leaguer sometime down the road?
Totally forgot about Luchessi
Dude was only making a few million so he couldn’t play on the Mets. You need to be making at least $5 million to be on the team.