Mets make another signing, this one ‘somewhat surprising’
New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns has quickly attacked his bullpen remake this offseason.
Three days after adding Chris Devenski on a minor-league deal, the Mets signed right-handed reliever Dylan Covey to a one-year, major-league deal, the team announced. The contract was not revealed.
MLB Trade Rumors called the Mets giving Covey a big-league deal “somewhat surprising” because he did not pitch in the majors last year as he recovered from a shoulder strain and has a career 6.18 ERA across five seasons (307 1/3 innings). In 2023, however, Covey posted a 3.77 ERA with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies over 43 innings. He had 30 strikeouts for a low 15.7% strikeout rate.
The Mets clearly liked what Covey showed in 20 1/3 minor-league innings last season when he posted a 2.66 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 20 1/3 innings (23% strikeout rate).
According to MLB.com, Covey was a minor-league free agent and not part of the “quiet period” post-World Series for free agents.
Stearns’ strength dating back to his time with the Milwaukee Brewers has been building bullpens, and he showed in 2024 with the Mets that it is an evolving part of the team, with most of the pitchers in the bullpen different from how New York started the year.
Covey, even on an MLB deal, won’t cost much as Stearns adds volume and different looks to the group.
New York Mets ‘among 11 teams in for Yankees free agent Juan Soto… and his new deal could top $700MILLION’
Juan Soto is the most-wanted man in baseball after the conclusion of the 2024 season, with up to a dozen teams interested in snapping up the New York Yankees free agent.
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It is not a matter of if, but how and when Soto cashes in with one of the biggest contracts in sports history as several Major League Baseball teams look to acquire his services.
The incumbent Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets are among 11 teams in pursuit of the 26-year-old, per the New York Post.
