The Mets announced that they have claimed outfielder Ji Hwan Bae off waivers from the Pirates and left-hander José Castillo from the Orioles. They also announced that infielder Nick Madrigal has elected free agency. Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reported the Bae claim prior to the official announcement. It was reported earlier this week that the Bucs had put him on the wire.
Bae, 26, was once a notable prospect with the Pirates but he hasn’t panned out yet. He has slashed .223/.294/.293 in 514 plate appearances spread over four seasons. But he has some wheels, having stolen 37 bases. He has continued to hit in the minors, however. He has a combined .306/.390/.451 line and 126 wRC+ dating back to the start of 2022. That includes a 119 wRC+ and .292/.380/.424 line in Triple-A this year.
The Mets didn’t have a center field solution this year. Jose Siri was injured for most of the season. Tyrone Taylor struggled. They acquired Cedric Mullins at the deadline but he didn’t help. Bae still has an option, so he can push Taylor for the job in 2026 but he could also end up in Syracuse as depth.
Castillo, 30 in January, should be a familiar face to Mets fans. He was on and off the club’s roster throughout the 2025 season. He was lost off waivers to the Mariners and then Orioles in September but the Mets have grabbed him back today. The lefty tossed 32 big league innings on the year with a 3.94 earned run average. His 20.1% strikeout rate and 9.4% walk rate were a bit worse than par but his 54% ground ball rate was strong.
The lefty is eligible for arbitration, with MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projecting him for a $1.7MM salary next year. Presumably, the Mets are comfortable paying him something in that range. He’ll join a lefty relief mix that includes A.J. Minter, Brooks Raley and Richard Lovelady.
Madrigal signed a one-year, $1.35MM deal with the Mets last offseason. However, a left shoulder fracture required season-ending surgery back in February. He could have been retained for 2026 via arbitration but the Mets have cut him loose. It seems every other club also passed on the chance to grab him off waivers. He’ll look for his next opportunity, which will likely be a minor league deal.
Photo courtesy of Daniel Kucin Jr., Imagn Images
From a Pirates fan, thanks!! Another guy who had some skills but couldn’t play baseball (field, get on base)
Hard to keep a player with no power and nearly 30% K rate. He could be a Steven Kwan type with some regular contact.
Can’t hit, can’t field, can’t run. The David Stearns special
Actually, he can run. But I get your point.
Yet another guy who stagnated on the Pirates farm. Maybe it’s time to have the guys who scout pitchers also scout and recommend position players, too. They can’t possibly do worse
Oh, running isn’t Bae’s problem. If he could only get on base
Maybe someone can teach him how to effectively bunt. With his raw speed he should be able to get on base more often
Just what the Mets need: another Middle Infielder for the bench that can’t hit
the Bucs have had middle infielders who can’t hit for years, thanks for taking him off of our hands
He’ll probably play about as much as Nick Madrigal did this year, barring injuries.
He’s played more CF than 2B the past two seasons so he’s depth there. As it stands right now they have nothing between a Tyrone Taylor injury and rushing one of their top prospects so I’m fine with him being on the back end of the 40 man.
Not making fun but always ran like he was about to fall down
Salt Bae!