Mets Bring In Speed Merchant For Outfield Depth

The New York Mets have done a lot of heavy lifting in the offseason thus far, and are still trying to put the finishing touches on a huge Carlos Correa addition, but that hasn't stopped them from adding around the margins, as well.

They Mets have brought in one of baseball's top speed merchants to help with some outfield defense depth and pinch-running. 

The Mets are signing Tim Locastro to a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training: https://t.co/Wa9XzHrS1M pic.twitter.com/yQEZ0pY1sg

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) January 9, 2023

Six-year veteran Tim Locastro joins the Mets on a minor league deal, and gets an invite to Spring Training. 

Locastro got into 38 games with the New York Yankees last season, stealing eight bases, scoring 13 runs, and providing strong defense as a late-inning outfield replacement.

Over his six seasons, he's compiled 549 plate appearances, and stolen 39 bases against just five caught-stealing. He has a .227 average with a .656 OPS.

Locastro rejected an outright assignment to the Yankees' Triple-A affiliate back in November, making him a free agent. 

The Mets outfield is pretty much set with Brandon Nimmo, Starling Marte and Mark Canha, but if he makes the team out of spring training, Locastro could serve as a fine 4th outfielder and/or pinch-runner, late-inning defensive replacement.

Photo: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports