Mets Make Early Offseason Move With Young Pitcher

The New York Mets have made official the signing of international free agent right-handed pitcher Randy Gutierrez and assigned him to the DSL Mets Orange, according to the MiLB transaction log.

Gutierrez, a member of the 2026 international free agent class from Colombia, had been linked to the organization for roughly a week before the assignment became official.

Mets Prospect Group first reported the signing on October 15, noting that Gutierrez had originally been expected to sign with the New York Yankees before landing with the Mets. MLB.com’s Mets transactions page lists the formal minor-league contract as having been signed on October 14.

The Dominican Summer League represents the entry point for most of the Mets’ international amateur signings.

DSL Mets Orange is one of the organization’s two DSL affiliates and has served as the starting point for numerous recent international additions.

Assigning Gutierrez there places him with a group of young prospects who will begin professional development in the Dominican Republic, typically focusing on foundational skills, strength and conditioning, and early competitive experience before any stateside progression.

Details on Gutierrez’s age, bonus amount, or specific scouting report have not been widely publicized.

The late-period nature of the signing aligns with comments from Mets observers about the organization utilizing remaining international bonus pool money late in the signing window.

One tracker jokingly wondered whether the Mets were “finding leftover IFA pool money inside of a couch cushion” after news of the deal surfaced.

For the Mets, the move continues a pattern of adding depth to the lower levels of the system even after the bulk of their primary international class has been completed.

While Gutierrez is not expected to rank among the organization’s higher-profile prospects immediately, international signings of this type have occasionally developed into meaningful contributors after multiple seasons of development.

The DSL assignment gives the Mets’ player development staff an early look at the right-hander in a controlled environment before determining any future progression through the complex or full-season levels.

As of the official assignment, no further public scouting notes or projected role (starter versus reliever) have been released.

Gutierrez joins a DSL Mets Orange roster that will prepare for the 2027 Dominican Summer League season, where the organization typically evaluates its newest international pitchers and position players.