TODAY: In an interesting twist, the Mets may utilize Edwards as a starter at Triple-A, according to Sammon and Ken Rosenthal. Edwards has never started a big league game, but he made 19 Triple-A starts over the last two seasons with the Rangers, Angels, and Padres’ top affiliates, plus he made 14 starts in the Mexican League in 2025.
DECEMBER 8: The Mets have agreed to a minor league contract with free agent reliever Carl Edwards Jr., reports Will Sammon of The Athletic. Edwards, a client of the Ballengee Group, will be in major league camp next spring as a non-roster invitee.
Edwards, 34, pitched just six big league innings last season between the Angels and Rangers, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks with six punchouts. He’s pitched for eight teams across parts of 11 major league seasons, totaling a 3.56 ERA, 28% strikeout rate and 12.7% walk rate in 286 frames.
Once regarded as a top pitching prospect, the 6’3″, 165-pound Edwards settled in as an important reliever with the Cubs back in their 2016 World Series run and in subsequent seasons. From 2016-18, the “Stringbean Slinger” tossed 154 1/3 innings of 3.03 ERA ball with a huge 34.2% strikeout rate but a hefty 13.5% walk rate.
Edwards slipped into journeyman status shortly thereafter, as his command troubles worsened and his struggles became untenable. He had a resurgence with the Nats in 2022-23, however, combining for 93 2/3 innings with a 3.07 earned run average. His 20.1% strikeout rate was a far cry from his Cubs peak, although his 10.6% walk rate was also an improvement.
Edwards spent the bulk of last season in Triple-A, working to a 4.44 ERA through 50 2/3 frames in an extremely hitter-friendly environment. He set down 25.8% of his opponents on strikes and posted a 7.2% walk rate that stands as the best mark of his career in any notable sample. He also induced grounders at a hearty 54.9% rate in Triple-A. He’ll be a veteran depth option with the Mets — one of several such additions surely on the docket this winter.
[Insert sarcastic post stating that this will be a significant signing for the Mets]
LOL – If he pitches significantly well, it will be. If not, so what?
Decent depth. Maybe can hone his control for better results in bullpen
[Insert trite negativity because every signing isn’t a super star @ $25M/yr]
Wait a minute!..why did they sign this guy? He never played for the Yankees.
If he makes the club it;s a shrewed signing. If not, nothing lost and he might stick around for depth purposes.
A depth signing that could help the major league team at some point or not. All teams make moves like this really nothing to hate on. Good to see the Mets making moves.
No such thing as a bad minor league signing.
Carl Edwards is about to get very familiar with Routes 81 and 17.
He’ll pass a lot of Carl’s Jr.’s!
He’ll appear in 1 Mlb game and get dfa’d.
I guess he’ll have to stop making burgers for a while. This pays better.
Evan Roberts will do 15mins on the next Rico Brogna podcast on Carl Edwards
Let’s Go Mets!!!!!! Mets need a rally monkey. Good news is coming Mets fans!!! Lots of offseason left!!!
The Padres gave him much too big a hat.
I hope he succeeds. He’s had a very rollercoaster like career. A lot of ups and downs. He’s been through a lot since 2016 with the Cubs.
The pivot!
This is filler. A bunch of words about very very little.
Where’s the beef? Sorry, that’s Wendy’s, not Carl’s Jr’s.
Hilarious, um…not.
Aw, someone needs an Ian Happ-y meal…
I recall a show back in th 70s called “Hee-haw”. You could be a script writer.
Minnie Minoso Pearl was great on that show. I’ll stop there. Goodnight!
You never know how a relief pitcher is going to do year to year.
Dollar Store David Stearns
Minor league ERA over 4.00 in 2024, WHIP at 1.461, and barely pitched outside the Mexican league in 2025, where he only struck out 7.2 per 9?
And he’s turning 34. This looks odd even for a minor minor-league signing.