The New York Mets made a signing, though it wasn’t Juan Soto—at least not yet—and it wasn’t a big-name addition to their rotation or lineup. Instead, they signed left-handed reliever, who has been an MLB reliever since 2019 and brings a reliable base with potential for further growth.
“The Mets have signed reliever to a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training. He was with the Cardinals from 2019 until he was traded to the Blue Jays in 2023. He had a 3.59 ERA in 69 games pitched for Toronto in 2024, also tallying 2 saves,” SNY wrote on X.
He represents a classic low-risk, high-reward acquisition for the Mets. Since he’s joining on a minor league deal, the team can evaluate him and his abilities throughout the winter and spring without committing significant financial resources. Essentially, his spot in the bullpen will depend on his performance.
Cabrera brings experience and some upside to the Mets
At 28, Cabrera is still young but brings six seasons of MLB experience and a solid career ERA of 3.89. However, his biggest issue throughout his career has been control, as he has accumulated 136 walks in 275.2 innings pitched.
The Mets have some promising tools to work with in Cabrera. He has a fastball that reaches 96 mph, which could benefit from some adjustments to maximize its effectiveness, along with a 90 mph cutter that posted an impressive 34.1 percent whiff rate in 2024. Additionally, he throws three other pitches.
If the Mets can help Cabrera improve his strike-throwing and refine his fastball, he could have a breakout year in Queens. Even if he doesn’t make significant strides and secures a spot in the bullpen, this is still a savvy move that could provide New York with a dependable arm for the middle to late innings.
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