The Mets announced that they have claimed right-hander Edwin Uceta off waivers from the Pirates and optioned him to Triple-A. Uceta had been designated for assignment by Pittsburgh earlier this week. In order to open a roster spot for him, the Mets transferred righty Sam Coonrod to the 60-day injured list.
Uceta, 25, has been extremely popular on the waiver wire. He spent the early parts of his career with the Dodgers but was claimed off waivers by the Diamondbacks in October of 2021. He spent one season with the Snakes, though they put him on waivers in January of this year. Over the past few months, he’s been claimed by the Tigers, the Pirates and now the Mets, making for four claims in the past year and a half and three in just the past few months.
Amid all of that, he’s been able to make 24 major league appearances, 14 with the Dodgers in 2021 and 10 more with the D’Backs last year. He has a 6.27 ERA in that time, striking out 23% of opponents, walking 11.5% and getting grounders at a 37.1% clip.
What’s surely enticing to clubs is that Uceta has shown huge strikeout stuff in the minors, posting a 29.5% strikeout rate in Triple-A in 2021 and then 32.7% at that level last year. He’s also paired that with high walk rates and ERAs just under 5.00 in both instances, but there’s enough to dream on there that clubs keep giving him a shot. He still has an option year so the Mets can keep him in the minors and see if Uceta can better harness his stuff.
The club’s bullpen depth has taken a few hits already in the early parts of the season. Edwin Díaz required knee surgery that is likely to be season-ending, while Bryce Montes de Oca required Tommy John surgery. Tommy Hunter, Stephen Ridings and Coonrod are also on the IL with various ailments. By grabbing Uceta off waivers, the Mets have added a bit of optionable depth to their roster.
As for Coonrod, this transfer doesn’t come as a shock since he was recently diagnosed with a high-grade lat strain and wasn’t likely to be available in the near future. This move makes him ineligible to return until late May at the earliest.
If it’s a day that ends in y
Uh oh. Not a good sign for the Mets, grabbing a Pirates castoff.
The Pirates have a lot of pieces I would take over the Mets pieces. I will start with Holderman.
I prefer Reese’s Pieces
I will start with Reese’s Pieces Mini 5lb Bulk Bag
Yup, that’s 5 lbs…
I second that motion, Curly. I just polished off one of those “personal pouch” sized bags that Walgreens sells. It was a tease, to say the least.
Just once, I’d like to see them make an insightful trade for an AA pitcher that shows some upside that maybe the current team may not see in him. At least then we’d have 2+ years to ready him for promotion to Queens. It’s a better gamble than snaring offcasts from teams that are steadily coming in last place.
Yeah, dealing away six years of Holderman’s respectable talents was ludicrous. So was dealing away Szapucki, particularly when both would be desperately needed in 2023. The Mets knew 3/4 of their pen was walking.
Oh, Eppler. What have you done?
Yeah, that was appropriate 3 or 4 years ago but now, well, the comment falls flat
The Pirates grabbed him from the Tigers on a waiver claim
Something you should have known before making a fool of yourself
It’s minor league depth. Meaningless in the grand scheme.
Actually Pirates only had him 3 days, serves them right for stealing him from Detroit
Desperation is a stinky cologne…..
Just takes the right coach and you have a leverage arm. Excellent pick up. This guy shouldn’t have made it all the way to the Mets.
Take away the “le” from leverage and add an “a”.
A high leverage arm or a low leverage arm? This guy stinks, which is why he made it to the Mets.
My teams claim guys off waivers and end up with above average,good,great players.
Mets needed the bullpen depth. See if this kid brings anything to the table.
Desperation move by the Mets.
I guess every team in MLB is desperate every single season as they all make dozens of waiver claims throughout the year for depth purposes. I swear some of you don’t even follow the sport at all and you’re just here to troll.
If a team doesn’t make moves like this then they’re a poorly run.
The Mets just opened up a spot on the 40 man roster with Navarez hitting the IL for 60+ so grabbing a guy on waivers makes perfect sense especially given how much the injury bug has already effect the Mets pitching staff (and Mets in general).
Also, how many times do we see a team grab a guy like this and put him back on waivers, hoping that he will clear so they can outright him to the minors?
We have absolutly no bullpen outside of Robertson and Ottavino, and Eppler decides to pick up a guy with a career era of 5? The urgency level should be up to 100%. There are relievers out there on bad teams that are available. If you aren’t going to play these prospects for whoever knows why, trade them to help with this season. 400 million dollars and you couldn’t even construct a decent bullpen. They put all their eggs in one basket in overpaying for Diaz. Now we have to rely on 2 40 year olds to close games. Drew Smith, Curtiss, Nogosek in your bullpen meanwhile you have a payroll of 400 million dollars. A .500 team’s biggest payroll ever, all thanks to one guy, Billy Eppler
All thanks to Steve Cohen. He is the top guy who hired the guy who hired the guy. With the Mets awful trade history I would advise them not to make any trades until a new front office is in place.
Mets are a $ 350 MM dumpster fire. LOL Mets
LFGMets,
You will enjoy this great day for the ex Mets Giants top performers today
mlb.com/gameday/giants-vs-white-sox/2023/04/06/718…
Edwin, we hardly knew ye. Actually, we didn’t know you at all.
When Uceta gets a call up, I’m sure he’ll get torched over 2 innings and then go on the IL with a “lat sprain”,or a tendon issue or fill in the blank.
Naw, even though he was Pirates property for all of 2 days, I expect he’ll get the call, be pressed into service as a starter for a few games, throw a no-hitter and propel the Mets into the playoffs
That’s usually the way things go for the Bucs. Hope they’re turning that around
Whew, that was a close call. I was afraid the Dodgers would take him back.
Mets Fans: we need Edwin Díaz or replacement
Eppler: we got Edwin Díaz at home
Edwin Díaz at home = Edwin Uceta
He is actually an interesting arm if you dig deeper into his numbers. He reminds me a bit of ex-Tigers closer Gregory Soto. I was hoping the Tigers pitching coach Chris Fetter would gave more time to work with him. He could be an interesting BP arm at some point.
Hopefully the Mets can do something with this kid. A lot of potential but not utilizing it.