NEW YORK -- With a deadline looming to make their 40-man roster compliant heading into the offseason, the Mets claimed two players off waivers and lost two others on Monday amidst a flurry of transactions.
The Mets claimed right-handers Jack Anderson and Pierson Ohl from the Twins and Rockies, respectively, while losing right-hander Cameron Weston to the Marlins and lefty Philip Abner to the Orioles. The club also outrighted infielder Eric Wagaman and outfielder Cristian Pache off the 40-man roster after they went unclaimed on waivers. Wagaman subsequently exercised his right to become a free agent.
In addition, the Mets signed infielders Christian Cairo and Kyren Paris to one-year split contracts that will pay them different amounts if they are in the Majors or Minors, then designated both players for assignment. That should eventually allow the Mets to outright Cairo and Paris to the Minors.
All told, the transactions cleared enough roster space for the Mets to reinstate infielder Jorge Polanco and right-handers Tylor Megill and Reed Garrett from the 60-day injured list, which does not count toward the 40-man. All three of those players are recovering from surgeries but should be healthy by Opening Day.
The Mets’ 40-man roster is now at exactly 40.
Later this month, the Mets will need to add any prospects to the 40-man roster that they wish to protect from the Rule 5 Draft. Top prospect Jefferson Rojas is among those who qualify, so the Mets will need to make further roster moves at that time.
Cairo, the son of former big leaguer Miguel Cairo and a late-season waiver claim from the Phillies, spent all of this season at Triple-A, batting .230 with four home runs, 25 stolen bases and a .681 OPS. Paris, a former second-round pick of the Angels, appeared in eight games this season and has spent 88 in total in the Majors since 2023.
Anderson and Ohl also both have brief experience in the Majors, with Anderson’s coming this past season. They will become part of New York’s pitching depth mix.