Mets bolster bullpen by signing Genesis Cabrera

On November 27, 2024, in the United States, the New York Mets announced the signing of veteran left-handed pitcher Genesis Cabrera to a minor league contract that includes an invitation to the major league spring training camp. This move comes as the Mets look to rebuild their bullpen after losing several pitchers to free agency and declining options on players like Phil Maton. Cabrera, a 28-year-old Dominican Republic native, has had a solid major league career so far, posting a 3.89 ERA across six seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals and Toronto Blue Jays. In his most recent season with the Blue Jays, Cabrera achieved a 3.59 ERA over 69 games, demonstrating reliability as a reliever. The Mets are currently at a disadvantage in left-handed options for their bullpen, with only Danny Young remaining among the left-handed relievers on the 40-man roster. The team faces the task of constructing an effective bullpen, especially since they have allowed other pitchers like Adam Ottavino, Drew Smith, and Ryne Stanek to become free agents. Cabrera will be competing with a number of non-roster pitchers including Chris Devenski, Hobie Harris, and Alex Carrillo, to secure a spot on the major league roster for the upcoming season. This signing reflects the franchise's approach to stock up on potential talent amid significant transitions in their pitching staff. Cabrera's lack of minor league options means that if he does not make the major league team, he will likely be available for the Mets' roster decisions without the flexibility to send him to the minors. This can raise the stakes for both Cabrera and the Mets, as they look for reliability and performance from their bullpen options moving into the new season. The organization will undoubtedly be monitoring his performance closely during spring training as they attempt to establish a competitive team, especially after a season where their bullpen struggled to keep games close. Ultimately, this signing illustrates the willingness of the Mets to explore new talent to fortify their pitching staff. They enter a critical period of rebuilding and will need contributions from newly signed players to remain competitive in the league. Cabrera's signing could serve as a pivotal moment in reshaping the bullpen dynamics for the 2025 season.