The Mets announced this morning that they’ve signed veteran outfielder Rafael Ortega to a minor league deal. Ortega, a client of Prestige Sports, will be in spring training as a non-roster invitee to camp. The Mets also confirmed their previously reported minor league deal with infielder Donovan Walton. He’ll also be a non-roster invitee in camp, the club added.
Ortega, 33, will be in his second stint with the Mets organization. He played the bulk of the 2023 season there, logging 30 Triple-A games and another 47 big league contests. The lefty-swinging Ortega filled a bench role with the Mets in ’23, hitting .219/.341/.272 with a homer and six steals in 136 plate appearances that season. He’s a career .245/.322/.349 hitter in 1301 plate appearances as a big leaguer, dating back to his MLB debut with the Rockies in 2012.
Ortega has extensive experience at all three outfield positions in his big league career, though he’s spent the bulk of his time in center field. He’s spent at least some time in the majors in each of the past four seasons, most prominently with the Cubs in 2021-22, when he batted a combined .265/.344/.408 in 701 turns at the plate.
The Mets saw outfielders Harrison Bader and Jesse Winker reach free agency at season’s end, and they’ve already outrighted outfielder DJ Stewart off the roster and seen him elect free agency as well. Ortega replenishes some outfield depth and provides center field insurance in a way that neither Winker nor Stewart could. For the time being, Brandon Nimmo, Tyrone Taylor and Starling Marte top the outfield depth chart in Queens, but there will assuredly be changes as the team pursues various free agents — headlined, of course, by Juan Soto.
If this was Juan Soto then I MIGHT have respect for The Mutts (new name I just invented) but it’s not so I don’t. They’re such dumbies that they’d rather Ortega? Their dummbster diving again in 2025!!! I guess that’s what you get when youd rather be stupid then listen to me, a certified genius but also banned baseball expert. (/s)
Holy guacamole, this move is going to crunch the competition! I thought Ortega would be playing for the Old El Paso Chihuahuas. At least the pitchers facing Ortega don’t have to worry about getting shelled. Let the chips fall where they may. Please don’t have a beef with my corny and cheesy jokes.
Ortega is a reasonable break-glass option as a 6th OF to stick on Syracuse to give you two weeks of AAAA level bench play if multiple outfielders are injured.
Purely organizational depth to be taking some at bats in Syracuse next. year. Mets fans better hope he never sees CitiField in 2025. I have to imagine that he will be behind Acuna, Gilbert and Williams on the depth chart.
Maybe ahead of Gilbert, if they don’t want Gilbert sitting on the bench and not playing. But it will take multiple CF injuries for Ortega to get selected.
Interesting to learn about a player who has appeared across parts of 12 seasons, 2012-2024, but only appeared in the majors in 8 of those years for a total of 425 plate apperances. Reminds me of Trenidad Hubbard who had 476 plate appearances from 1994-2003. Hubbard didn’t miss any MLB years during that time though.
Ortega is terrible. There are better options out there that they can offer minor league contracts too. Not sure if Jake Mangum is a free agent or if they’d have to trade for him but I have felt for years that hes been severely underated and deserves an opportunity at the big league level. I know that he doesn’t hit for power but you can still be successful like Arraez is. Guys who bat .220 with a couple HRs in yriple A (DJ Stewart and Nick Plummer) got chances and yet Mangum consistently bats over .300 and receives zero opportunities
You heard it here folks, Jake Mangum is the next Luis Arraez
@Don’tBe Dumb,
Arraez could as just as well been the next Jake Mangum.
@LFGMets,
Jake Mangum – Yes Jake Mangum, glad you mentioned him. I couldn’t remember his name earlier this year but he crossed my mind as someone I liked after the Mets drafted him and was wondering if he got a chance in the majors. Unfortunately he hasn’t. I always liked him and agree he deserves a chance. It makes no sense that he hasn’t. I would love for Mets to sign him to minor league deal with spring invite.
Have you actually seen him play?
Raffy’s fine as the #10 OFer on your depth chart. He’ll get 33 innings in the field and 12 PA across two weeks in the summer of 2025.
He hit very well in AAA in 2024. Walks, average, power. He still has something left. It’s not easy finding replacement level guys (o.0 WAR) to fill in as your backups’ backups.