The Mets have signed a RHP Jimmy Yacabonis to a minor league deal.
Yacabonis, 30, has pitched for the Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners, Miami Marlins, and Tampa Bay Rays during parts of five big league seasons — including brief stints in 2022 with the Marlins and Rays.
The results for Yacabonis (who has made 58 relief appearances and 13 starts) have been uneven, with a 6.03 ERA (6.09 FIP) and 1.69 WHIP in the majors.
However, from 2017 to 2020 he held hitters to a .202 average and .267 wOBA against his slider, as noted by SNY contributor Jacob Resnick.
Yacabonis is the latest buy-low reliever the Mets have acquired this offseason, adding to a group that includes Jeff Brigham, Stephen Ridings, Tayler Saucedoand William Woods — who are all on the 40-man roster.
As the Mets rebuild their bullpen around closer Edwin Diaz and Drew Smith (Adam Ottavino, Seth Lugo, Trevor Mayand TReverend Williams are all free agents), they will likely sign and/or trade for some more established bullpen arms. But adding depth is also important, and they continued to do that with the signing of Yacabonis.
Pitchers on the current roster (in addition to Diaz and Smith) who could possibly be used in relief roles in 2023 include John Curtiss, Taylor Megill, David Peterson, Bryce Montes de Oca, Joey Lucchesi, Elieser Hernandez, Stephen Nogosekand Yoan Lopez.