Mets add Austin Adams to 'pen mix on 1-yr deal

November 30th, 2023

NEW YORK -- A day after beginning the process of filling out their rotation, the Mets started to do the same with their bullpen. The team has come to agreement on a one-year deal with right-handed reliever , the Mets announced on Thursday, adding another arm to a mix that includes Edwin Díaz and Brooks Raley.

Adams, 32, is a seven-year veteran who most recently posted a 5.71 ERA over 24 appearances for the D-backs. That action was his first since a strained right forearm and resulting flexor tendon surgery limited him to two appearances in 2022.

When healthy, Adams has ranked among the league's best at limiting hard contact. In recent seasons, he has relied almost exclusively on his slider, throwing that pitch around 90% of the time. The Mets are plenty familiar with him from his time in Washington from 2017-19. Adams has also played for the Mariners and Padres.

In New York, Adams will operate with a non-guaranteed split contract, though he still stands a fair chance of joining a bullpen mix that is currently headlined by Díaz and Raley. Drew Smith will also return to be part of the bullpen, and the Mets will cobble together part of the rest from a group that includes Phil Bickford, Grant Hartwig and Sean Reid-Foley. The team is also likely to add additional pitchers on Major League deals.