Cowtipper

Michael Wacha, who pitched poorly for New York in 2020, has rebounded nicely these past couple years and went 14-4 with a 3.22 ERA and 127 ERA+ in 24 starts for the Padres in 2023. He also had a 0.00 ERA in 2 IP at Triple-A. Taijuan Walker, who was an All-Star for the Mets in 2021, went 15-6 with a 4.38 ERA in 31 starts for the Phillies. Zack Wheeler, who gave the Mets a few good seasons in the 2010s, was 13-6 with a 3.61 ERA in 32 starts for the Phillies. In 192 innings, he had 212 strikeouts. Trevor Williams, who gave the Mets a year and some change of very solid pitching, was 6-10 with a 5.55 ERA in 30 starts for the Nationals. He led the league with 34 home runs allowed. Justin Wilson, an effective-though-easily-forgotten reliever for the Mets in 2019 and 2020, was 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA in 10 relief appearances in the Brewers minor league system. Jimmy Yacabonis, who earned decisions in three of his seven relief appearances with the Mets in 2023, had a 9.00 ERA in 4 relief appearances for the independent Long Island Ducks after being let go by the team in August. Gabriel Ynoa, who pitched for the Mets in 2016, was 7-3, 3.43 in 18 starts in the Mexican League this year. He currently has a 7.36 ERA in 2 starts in the Dominican Winter League. Daniel Zamora, who pitched for the Mets in 2018 and 2019, was 2-1 with a 4.80 ERA in 28 games (1 start) in the Pirates system this year. Rob Zastryzny, who made a single appearance for the Mets in 2022, was 1-0 with a 4.79 ERA in 21 games (1 start) for the Pirates this season. In the minors, he was 0-0, 4.41 in 15 appearances at Triple-A. And I believe that is all of them.

Raul Valdes, who pitched for the Mets in 2011, is 45 and still going. He is playing with the Toros del Este of the Dominican Winter League and is 1-1 with a 4.00 ERA in 2 starts. Justin Verlander, who graced us with his presence for part of 2023 and is now just a memory, went 7-3 with a 3.31 ERA in 11 starts after being traded to Houston. Jonathan Villar, who had a decent year for New York in 2021, slashed .346/.410/.508 with 11 home runs, 72 RBI and 22 stolen bases in Mexico. He now has 567 career stolen bases at all levels, per Baseball Reference.

2.45 ERA in 3 appearances. Would've liked to have seen more of him instead of that schmo Reed Garrett.

Ryley Gilliam, the club's 5th round pick in 2018, has been released. Also Nittoli, Mendick, Ortega, Arauz and Perez elected free agency.

Seeing Paul Blair's name reminded me of Paul Byrd. Also Jeromy Burnitz comes to mind. Rick Aguilera's another. Marco Scutaro is another one I stumbled upon. He's often lost in the shuffle of Mets could-have-beens, but imagine if he'd blossomed with New York instead of elsewhere. He was a pretty impressive ballplayer.

Armando Benitez R.A. Dickey Lance Johnson

Ortega, at least, might be worth bringing back on a minor league deal.

I fondly remember Kay making his triumphant return years after he was sent packing. It was actually kind of cool getting him back and having him pitch a little, since he was a first rounder, after all. But outside of that, I'm not too bummed to see him go.

Stephen Tarpley, who made an appearance for the Mets in the Year of 1,000 Pitchers, 2021, pitched for Lexington and Long Island of the Atlantic League this year, going 4-5 with a 5.33 ERA in 15 starts between them. He averaged nearly a K per inning. Ruben Tejada, who spent part of all of 9 seasons in New York, hit .293 with a .427 OBP in 78 games for the Atlantic League's Long Island Ducks. He had 53 walks to just 35 Ks. Wilfredo Tovar, who played for the Mets in 2013 and 2014, then returned briefly in 2021, is still active in Venezuela. He's currently with Caracas of the Venezuelan Winter League, but he's just a couple games in. He's hitting .222 in 9 ABs. Nick Tropeano, another 2021 pitcher, was with Monclova of the Mexican League, going 4-5 with a 5.94 ERA in 13 starts. Justin Turner, who played for the Mets from 2010 to 2013 and, at 38, is aging very gracefully, hit .276 with 23 home runs, 96 RBI and 86 runs scored in 146 games for the Red Sox. Edwin Uceta, who made a single appearance for the Mets in 2023, was selected off waivers by the Cubs in August. He was 0-1 with a 16.20 ERA in 5 relief appearances for their Triple-A club before being let go in September.

This case is going to make Serafini more well-known than he ever was during his playing career.

Fernando Salas, who pitched for the Mets in 2016 and 2017, was 1-0 with a 1.47 ERA in 29 relief appearances for the Olmecas de Tabasco of the Mexican League. He had 33 Ks in 30 2/3 innings. Ali Sanchez, who had a cup of coffee with the Mets in 2020, hit .311/.375/.492 with 11 home runs, 43 RBI and 74 hits in 67 games for the Diamondbacks Triple-A club in Reno. Gary Sanchez, who played a few games for the Mets in 2023, hit .218 with 19 home runs and 46 RBI in 72 games for the Padres after leaving New York. Yolmer Sanchez, who played briefly for the Mets in 2022, hit .236 with a .381 OBP, 8 home runs and 62 RBI in 117 games for the Braves Triple-A club in Gwinnett. Hector Santiago, who pitched for the Mets in 2019 before being released in June, was 3-1 with a 4.84 ERA in 9 starts for Monclova in the Mexican League. Max Scherzer, who pitched for the Mets in 2022 and the beginning of 2023, was 4-2 with a 3.20 ERA in 8 starts for the Rangers after leaving New York partway through the campaign. In 45 innings, he had 53 Ks. Paul Sewald, who went 1-14 in four seasons with the Mets, was 3-2 with 34 saves and a 3.12 ERA in 65 games between the Mariners and Diamondbacks. In 60 2/3 innings, he had 80 Ks. Chasen Shreve, who pitched for the Mets in 2020 and 2022, was 1-2 with a 4.63 ERA in 50 relief appearances between the Tigers and Reds. He was 1-0, 2.25 in 6 Triple-A games. Chance Sisco, who played for the Mets in 2021, hit .305/.468/.716 with 11 home runs and 33 RBI in 31 games for the independent Long Island Ducks and .000 in 8 at-bats in Mexico. Dominic Smith, who played for the Mets from 2017 to 2022, hit .254 with 12 home runs and 46 RBI in 153 games for the Nationals. Robert Stock, who made a couple starts for the Mets in 2021, was 0-3, 8.22 in 11 games (4 starts) for the Pirates Triple-A club in Nashville and 9-4, 4.40 in 16 starts for the independent Long Island Ducks. Hunter Strickland, who pitched a few games for New York in 2020, was 1-1 with an 11.45 ERA in 12 relief appearances for the Reds Triple-A club in Louisville. Marcus Stroman, a solid pitcher for New York in 2019 and 2021, was 10-9 with a 3.95 ERA in 27 games (25 starts) for the Cubs. Noah Syndergaard, who had some really great years with New York in the 2010s, was 2-6 with a 6.50 ERA in 18 starts between the Dodgers and Guardians. He was 0-1, 5.40 in 2 Triple-A starts. Thomas Szapucki, who pitched briefly for the Mets in 2021 and 2022, was in the Giants system in 2023, but was hurt all year and didn't play.

Erasmo Ramirez, who pitched for the Mets briefly in 2020, was 3-3 with a 6.41 ERA in 38 games (2 starts) between the Nationals and Rays. He had a 5.87 ERA in 9 Triple-A games. Neil Ramirez, who pitched for the Mets in 2017, returned to pro ball in 2023, going 2-3 with a 4.82 ERA in 10 games (8 starts) for the independent High Point Rockers. Wilson Ramos, who was a solid catcher for the Mets in 2019 and who was less impressive in 2020, hit .233 with 3 home runs and 24 RBI in 150 at-bats for the independent Long Island Ducks and .200 with no home runs and 3 RBI in 40 at-bats for the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League. Jake Reed, who pitched briefly for the Mets in 2021 and 2022, gave up 6 earned runs in 2/3 of an inning for the Dodgers. He was 3-1 with a 7.34 ERA in 29 relief appearances for their Triple-A club in Oklahoma City. Jack Reinheimer, who played for the Mets briefly in 2018, hit .310/.401/.533 with 11 home runs, 29 RBI, 30 steals and 62 runs scored in 63 games for the independent Gastonia Honey Hunters. He also played in the Royals system, hitting .132 in 76 at-bats for their Double-A club in Northwest Arkansas. Matt Reynolds, a reserve guy for the Mets in 2016 and 2017 who returned briefly in 2022, had a hit in 5 at-bats for the Reds and hit .266 with 22 home runs and 90 RBI in 115 games for their Triple-A club in Louisville. David Robertson, an excellent reliever for oh too short a time in 2023, was 2-4 with a 5.06 ERA in 22 games for the Marlins after leaving the club partway through the year. He averaged 12.7 K/9 IP. Hansel Robles, who was an inconsistent reliever for a few years, was 1-0 with a 1.52 ERA in 25 appearances in Mexico. Joely Rodriguez, who was a reliever for the club in 2022, went 0-0 with a 6.55 ERA in 11 appearances for the Red Sox. He was 1-0 with a 3.18 ERA in 12 minor league appearances. Amed Rosario, who was the Mets starting shortstop from 2018 to 2020, hit .263 with 6 home runs, 58 RBI and 15 stolen bases in 142 games between the Guardians and Dodgers. Darin Ruf, who played for the Mets in 2022, hit .224 with no home runs, 3 RBI and 11 hits in 20 games between the Giants and Brewers. At Triple-A, he hit .156 in 12 games.

Abraham Almonte elected free agency.

Tyler Naquin, who played for the Mets for the latter part of 2022, was hitless in 8 at-bats for the White Sox and hit .257 with 9 home runs and 30 RBI in 68 Triple-A games; he also played in the Brewers system. Stephen Nogosek, who played for the Mets to begin 2023, was 3-0 with a 6.55 ERA in 27 relief appearances for the Diamondbacks Triple-A club in Reno after departing the Mets system. Oliver Perez, the sometimes solid, sometimes awful hurler for the Mets for five years, pitched 1/3 of an inning for the Leones de Yucatan of the Mexican League, posting a 0.00 ERA. His one out was a K. Tim Peterson, who pitched for the Mets in 2018 and 2019, was 0-1 with a 3.70 ERA in 27 games in the Mexican League. Tommy Pham, who was a bright spot for the early 2023 Mets, hit .241 with 6 home runs and 11 stolen bases in 50 games for the Diamondbacks after being traded to Arizona. Kevin Pillar, who played for the Mets in 2021, hit .228 with 9 home runs and 32 RBI in 81 games for the Braves. He had 50 Ks and just 6 walks. Kevin Plawecki, who caught for the Mets in the mid-to-late 2010s, played in the Nationals, Padres and Rangers systems in 2023, spending his whole year at Triple-A. He hit .272 with 4 home runs and 29 RBI in 67 games.

Well, since I have nothing else to do, I'll break the pattern of three at a time and do a bunch. TJ McFarland, who pitched briefly for New York in 2023, was 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA in 21 relief appearances for the Orioles Triple-A club in Norfolk after being signed by the Orioles in July. Billy McKinney, who played 39 games for the Mets in 2021, hit .227 with 6 home runs and 14 RBI in 48 games for the Yankees. He hit .274 with 9 home runs and 25 RBI for their Triple-A club. Adonis Medina, who pitched for the Mets in 2022, was 2-6 with a 6.05 ERA in 12 starts for the Kia Tigers in Korea. Jenrry Mejia, the Mets closer in 2014, was 1-3 with a 5.89 ERA in 8 starts in the Mexican League. Tyson Miller, who joined the Mets later in 2023, was reclaimed by the Dodgers and had a scoreless two innings in his lone appearance with them after departing New York. Tommy Milone, who pitched for the Mets in 2017, was 0-1 with a 2.00 ERA in 2 starts for the Mariners and 6-3 with a 5.34 ERA in 21 starts for their Triple-A team in Tacoma. Rafael Montero, who pitched for the Mets in the mid-2010s, was 3-3 with a 5.08 ERA in 68 relief appearances for the Astros. On the bright side, he averaged 10.6 K/9 IP. Zach Muckenhirn, who pitched for the Mets early in 2023, had a 6.11 ERA in 14 appearances for the Mariners Triple-A team after leaving the Mets system partway through the campaign. Daniel Murphy, who was a regular with the Mets from the late 2000s to the mid-2010s, hit .331 with a .410 OBP in 37 games for the independent Long Island Ducks and .289 with 45 hits in 40 games in the Angels minor league system.

James McCann, the disappointing supposed-to-be-starting catcher for the Mets in 2021 and 2022, hit .222 with 6 home runs and 26 RBI in 207 at-bats for the Orioles this year. He also spent four games in the minor leagues, hitting .250. Kevin McGowan, who made 8 appearances for the Mets in 2017, was still going in 2023, posting a 0-1 record and 9.39 ERA in 9 relief appearances in the Mexican League. Collin McHugh, who pitched for the Mets in 2012 and 2013, was 4-1 with a 4.30 ERA in 41 games (1 start) for the Braves this season. He was 0-1, 5.14 in 4 minor league appearances.

Trevor May, who pitched for the Mets in 2021 and 2022, is 4-4 with 20 saves, 33 games finished and a 3.43 ERA in 47 appearances for the otherwise hapless Athletics. He also had a 4.91 ERA in 4 relief appearances for their Triple-A club. Patrick Mazeika, who caught for New York in 2021 and 2022, hit .214 with one home run and 17 RBI in 52 games for the Dodgers Triple-A club in Oklahoma City. They released him September 1. Chris Mazza, who was a 29-year-old rookie for the Mets in 2019, went to Mexico for 2023, going 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA in 3 starts for the Saraperos de Saltillo.

Seth Lugo, who was a quality pitcher for the Mets for seven seasons, is 8-7 with a 3.57 ERA in 26 starts for the Padres. He was a strikeout ace while with the Mets, but has averaged less than a K per frame for San Diego since shifting to the rotation. Jake Marisnick, who hit .333 in limited duty for New York in 2020, batted .237 with 2 home runs and 10 RBI in 76 big league at-bats split between three teams before landing on the IL. He also hit .267 with 2 home runs and 17 RBI in 120 Triple-A ABs. Steven Matz, a decent though oft-injured starter for more than half-a-decade, was 4-7 with a 3.86 ERA in 25 games (17 starts) for the Cardinals before landing on the IL. Bonus—how some more guys who were in the Mets system, this time in 2022 and 2023, have performed this year: Taylor Saucedo (2022-2023): Acquired off waivers in November 2022, claimed by Seattle in January 2023. He's 3-2 with a 3.69 ERA in 50 relief appearances for Seattle. He was 2-0, 0.00 in 5 Triple-A appearances. Jose Rodriguez (2022): Played at Triple-A in Mets system in 2022. Granted free agency in November. Tossed 3 IP for Seattle this year, posting a 9.00 ERA. His line at Triple-A: 2-7, 7.46 in 31 games (13 starts). Bubby Rossman (2023): Began 2023 in the Mets season, but struggled. He joined the independent Kansas City Monarchs in July, with whom he had a 1.04 ERA in 9 relief appearances. He averaged 16.6 K/9 IP. Seth Elledge (2023): Began 2023 in the Mets system, but was selected off waivers by Detroit in May. He was granted free agency, but then signed by the Braves in late June. He was again granted free agency, but was again signed by the Braves in late July. With Gwinnett, the Braves' Triple-A club, he was 4-2, 4.83 in 25 relief appearances. He was 0-1, 3.86 in 10 appearances for the Tigers' Triple-A club. Humberto Mejia (2023): Made 8 starts at Triple-A, then signed to play in Japan. With the Chunichi Dragons, he went 2-1 with a 2.13 ERA. With their minor league club, he was 0-1, 1.93. In 52 innings between them, he was 2-2, 2.08.

One last batch of 2023 releases and what level they peaked at in the Mets system: Brian Gursky, Single-A Kevin Ribon, rookie ball Cam Opp, Double-A Matt Winaker, Triple-A (5th round pick in 2017) Jake Ortega, Double-A (28th round pick in 2019) Angel Guerrero, rookie ball Yoandy Perez, rookie ball Levi David, Single-A (9th round pick in 2021) Juan Loyo, Triple-A Joel Flores, rookie ball Gustavo Marquez, rookie ball

Not too many stragglers left. Other odds and ends—major leaguers who were in the Mets system in 2003, 2009 and 2010: Jesen Therrien (2010, drafted, didn't sign) was 3-2 with a 7.22 ERA in 18 games (4 starts) for the independent Aigles de Trois Rivieres. Brock Stewart (2010, drafted, didn't sign) was 2-0 with a 0.70 ERA in 25 relief appearances for the Twins before hitting the IL. In 25 2/3 innings, he had 35 Ks. He also had 1.54 ERA in 1o Triple-A appearances, averaging nearly 2 Ks per frame. David Buchanan (2009, drafted, didn't sign) was 10-8 with a 2.61 ERA in 27 starts for the Samsung Lions in Korea. Mitch Haniger (2009, drafted, didn't sign) is hitting .209 with 6 home runs and 28 RBI in 61 games for the Giants. He also hit .167 in 30 Triple-A at-bats. Joe Mantiply (2009, drafted, didn't sign) is 2-2 with a 4.95 ERA in 33 games (3 starts) for the Diamondbacks this year. He also has a 5.19 ERA in 17 1/3 minor league innings. Deunte Heath (2003, drafted, didn't sign) was 7-2, 3.69 in 42 relief appearances in the Mexican League.

Here's how some former Mets prospects that we traded away are doing: Jefry Marte was traded to Oakland for Collin Cowgill in 2013. He played in the Mexican League this year, hitting .339/.454/.505 with 6 home runs and 32 RBI in 53 games. Other odds and ends—major leaguers who were in the Mets minor league system in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013: Francisco Pena (2007-2013) hit .216 with 6 home runs and 22 RBI in 59 games in the CPBL in Taiwan. Daryl Thompson (2013) went 6-3, 4.89 in 17 starts for the independent Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. In 108 2/3 innings, he walked just 9 batters. Tristan Gray (2013, drafted but not signed) had 2 hits in 5 at-bats for the Rays. He hit .235 with 30 home runs and 98 RBI in 132 games for their Triple-A club. Kyle Lobstein (2012, for less than a day) was 5-5, 5.66 in 37 games (12 starts) for the independent Long Island Ducks. Tejay Antone (2012, drafted, not signed) was 0-0, 1.59 in 5 games (1 start) for the Reds. He was 0-0, 4.73 in 13 1/3 minor league innings. Chris Shaw (2012, drafted, not signed) hit .197 with 3 home runs and 10 RBI in 22 games for the independent Spire City Ghost Hounds. Donovan Walton (2012, drafted, not signed) hit .265 with 6 home runs and 29 RBI in 71 games split between four teams in the Giants minor league system. Arturo Lopez (2009, released 2010) was 2-3, 4.70 in 24 relief appearances in Mexico. Jharel Cotton (2011, drafted, not signed) was 1-1, 5.89 in 18 1/3 IP in NPB and 2-2, 3.79 in 38 IP in the NPB minor league.

More minor league maneuverings: The club released Ronis Aybar, who began his career in 2019, but peaked at Single-A and 13th round draft pick Blaine McIntosh, who also debuted in 2019, and who also peaked at Single-A. They let Marcos Rodriguez, who peaked in the DSL, go. He walked 68 batters in 56 career innings. 35th round draft pick Kyle Wilson had been in their system since 2017 and he occasionally found some success, but he was let go in June, having peaked at Double-A. The Mets signed Jeffrey Wilson in 2022, but released him in 2023 before he played in their system; the Yankees later signed him. They released Jaycey Benita, who didn't play at all in 2022 and who never reached beyond the DSL.

I corrected my post to make it technically accurate.

Some more minor league maneuverings: The Mets released Eduardo Salazar, who'd been in their system since 2018, but peaked at High-A. They released Italian Claudio Scotti, who played in the Pirates system, spent a few years playing in Italy and after dominating there in 2021, signed with the Mets for 2022. He never made it beyond rookie ball in the Mets system. They released minor league veteran Manuel Alvarez, who joined the system in 2022; he's played at Triple-A, including in the Mets system, but struggled this season. They released Juan Veliz and Jose Sequera, who peaked in the DSL and last played in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Other DSL releases: Lewis Castillo, who hit .303 but was 20 and older than the average league player, Yohenny Mata, who'd been playing there since 2021, Samuel Camacaro, who'd also been there since 2021, Railin Reyes, who struggled in 2023, Richard Cardoza, who's just 18 and didn't play this year, Gael Guzman, who never actually played for them and Wander Rosario, whose career minor league ERA is now over 14.

Dominic Leone, who played for the Mets to begin his 2023 major league season, had a 5.54 ERA in 11 appearances for the Angels and has a 5.40 ERA in 7 appearances for the Mariners since leaving the club in early August. Yoan Lopez, who pitched briefly for the Mets in 2022, was 0-1, 4.05 in 8 appearances in Nippon Professional Baseball and 0-0, 3.21 in 13 appearances in the NPB minor league. Aaron Loup, who had one of the best seasons in relief in Mets history in 2021, is 2-3 with a 6.10 ERA in 55 appearances for the Angels this year. He is 2-8, 4.86 in 120 games since leaving New York. Bonus: Anthony Kay, who pitched in the Mets system in 2018 and 2019 and who returned to the club in 2023, had a 6.35 ERA in 13 appearances for the Cubs and was 3-1, 4.10 in 30 games for their Triple-A club before his return.