With MLB free agency set to begin at 5 p.m. Eastern Time today, the New York Mets made a little depth move on Wednesday, claiming left-hander Tayler Saucedo off of waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays.
The 29-year-old appeared in four games for the Blue Jays in 2022, posting a 13.50 ERA.
The left-hander made his major league debut last season and appeared in 29 games, posting a 4.56 ERA.
More than likely, this is nothing more than a depth move.
But according to Mets writer Anthony DiComo, there might have been something the Mets saw in him that they liked.
Saucedo held left-handed hitters to a .182 average over the last two seasons.
Mets Claim Lefty Saucedo
While this move isn’t anything Earth shattering, there could be something that the Mets found in Saucedo that they liked.
His stats against lefties could certainly have been what the Mets saw.
Saucedo was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 21st round of the 2015 draft out of Tennessee Wesleyan University.
He missed much of the 2022 season due to injuries.
With the Mets lacking in left-handed relief pitchers, Saucedo could turn out to be somewhat of a bargain move and a sneaky pickup.
The Mets recently re-signed Edwin Diaz to a five-year, $102 million contract.
With both Jacob deGrom and Chris Bassitt now free agents, left-hander David Peterson might be set for a potential rotation role, leaving an opening in the bullpen for a lefty reliever.
The Mets won 101 games during the regular season and earned the top Wild Card spot in the National League.
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