Mets Sign Starting Pitcher Taijuan Walker

Mets RHP Taijuan Walker (Credits to MetsMerizedOnline.com) The New York Mets signed right-handed pitcher Taijuan Walker. Walker went 4-3 last year in 11 starts and K/9 of 8.44 and an ERA of 2.70 in 53 innings. He had a 1.37 ERA in six starts late in the season down the stretch with the Toronto Blue Jays after he was acquired by the Seattle Mariners. Walker has a lifetime record of 35-34 and an ERA of 3.84. He was one of the best starting pitchers on the free-agent market and helps fill out and finalize the Mets rotation along with Jacob deGrom, Carlos Carrasco, Marcus Stroman, David Peterson and Noah Syndergaard.

Mets sign outfielder Kevin Pillar

Mets outfielder Kevin Pillar (Credits to MetsMerizedOnline.com) The New York Mets signed outfielder Kevin Pillar to a one-year major-league deal. Pillar spent the past season with the Boston Red Sox and Colorado Rockies. He hits well against left-handed pitching with a .286 lifetime average and had 26 hits and five walks in 82 at-bats this year. Pillar brings depth to the bench as another righty bat as well as strong defense. He's not the centerfielder he used to be in his prime, but he still plays good enough at the corner outfield postions in left field and right field.

Seth Lugo to have surgery on right elbow

New York Mets reliever RHP Seth Lugo (Credits to MetsMerizedOnline.com) The New York Mets announced today that RHP Seth Lugo has a loose bone in his right elbow and will have surgery on Tuesday. Lugo has inflamamation in his elbow that wouldn't let up and informed the Mets medical staff that a bone spur had broken off. He had an MRI yesterday. Lugo won't be able to throw for six weeks before he is assessed and transtions into a throwing program. Not having Lugo is a big loss to the entire pitching staff and bullpen. He has shown to be the team's most reliable reliver in the last few years and also filled in as a spot starter on occassion. Lugo excelled out of the bullpen in 2019 with a 2.70 ERA, 11.70 K/9 and 1.80 BB/9 in 61 games. Hopefully he won't be out too long and he can get back to his dominant self late in games.

Mets acquire Royals centerfield prospect Khalil Lee in three-team trade

Mets center prospect Khalil Lee (Credits to MetsMerizedOnline.com) The New York Mets acquired Royals #8 prospect CF Khalil Lee in a three-team trade that also sent Red Sox outfielder Andrew Benitendi to the Royals. The Mets traded pitching propect RHP Josh Winckowski in the deal along with a player to be named later after Winckowski was acquired last month from the Toronto Blue Lays for LHP Steven Matz. Lee was the Royals third-round pick in 2016 and added to their 40-man roster in the winter. He hit .264 with a .735 OPS with 53 stolen bases in 2019 in 129 games in Double-A for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Lee brings speed to the minors and an outfield prospect that could hopefully start the season at Triple-A and rise quickly to the Major Leagues which they desperately need.

Mets Sign Utility Infielder Jonathan Villar to a one-year deal

Mets infielder Jonathan Villar (Credits to MetsMerizedOnline.com) The New York Mets signed utility infielder Jonathan Villar to a one-year deal worth $3.55 million plus incentives today. Villar will help create depth on the Mets bench in a super utility role and can play multiple postions. He has played second base, third base, shortstop as well as some time in left field and center field. Villar struggled in a shortended-pandemic season in 2020 hiting only .220. However in 2019, he had a much better season with 24 home runs and 40 stolen bases. It's a low risk move on a one-year deal that could pay off if Villar hits like he did in 2019 and steals bases. Villar brings speed and power off the bench which is hard to find and can play all over the field.

Mets Sign Centerifielder Albert Almora Jr

Mets CF Albet Almora Jr (Credits to MetsMerizedOnline.com) alml The New York Mets signed centerfielder Albert Almora Jr to a deal pending a physical. Almora will most likely be a right-handed option in centerfield against lefty pitching as opposed to an every day player. He struggled last year hitting only .167, but has a .271 lifetime average and a .707 OPS. Almora will be a nice 4th-5th outfielder and late inning defensive replacement.

Mets Acquire RHP Jordan Yamamoto from Miami Marlins

Mets RHP Jordan Yamamoto (Credits to MetsMerizedOnline.com) The New York Mets acquired RHP Jordan Yamamoto from the Miami Marlins for minor league infiedler Federico Polanco. The Mets designated infielder Robel Garcia for assignment in a corresponding roster move. Yamamoto was traded to the Marlins at the beginning of the 2018 season as part of the Christian Yelich trade. He made his MLB debut with the Marlins in the following season and had a 4.46 ERA in 15 games. Yommamoto appeared in only four games last year in a shortened 2020 season and had an ERA of 18.26. He was desiginated for assignment by the Marlins last week. He is known for his curveball and also has a decent fastball as well.