Mets Sign Reliever To Add To Bullpen Depth

Although teams cannot do business with major league free agents at this time, they can, and have, been signing minor league free agents. The New York Mets are no exception, announcing the signing of reliever R.J. Alvarez. 

The 30-year-old last pitched in the majors in 2015, and it didn't go too well. He surrendered 27 hits and 13 walks in 20 innings for the Oakland A's that season, to the tune of a 9.90 ERA and a 2.00 WHIP. 

Since then, the 6'1" 230 lb. righthander has been with several different teams' minor league affiliates, and has done considerably better in Triple-A in that time, where he owns a 4.20 ERA and a nice strikeout rate of 10.7 K/9. 

Last season in the Milwaukee Brewers' system at Nashville, he tossed 35 innings and struck out 44 batters, and was even better than that in 2019, striking out 65 in just 53 innings.

There will be a lot of activity for teams scrambling to set up their rosters when (if?) a collective bargaining agreement is ever struck and the lockout is lifted. Teams would do well to get a head start and seeing what type of minor league talent they can prepare for roster depth.

The minor league season will start on time, regardless of what the MLB and MLBPA are doing.

Photo Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports