Mets Claim Veteran Reliever To Bolster Bullpen

The move comes a little over a week after the Giants acquired Young from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for veteran outfielder Austin Slater. While the reliever did not appear in a major league game for San Francisco, the team likely hoped he would pass through waivers unclaimed and remain in the organization.

Instead, the Mets will claim Young and absorb what is left of his $1.16 million salary for the rest of the year.

New York Mets Claim Lefty Reliever Alex Young Off Waivers

Young spent the past two seasons with the Reds. In 2023, he appeared in 63 games and posted a 3.86 ERA (120 ERA+) in 53 2/3 innings. He succeeded by inducing a great groundball rate, missing barrels, and getting batters to chase and whiff.

However, he gave up a lot of hard contact and produced poor walk and strikeout rates. All things considered, a modern thinker, like most front offices have, might be skeptical of the sustainability of Young’s success.

Unfortunately, Young did not have an opportunity to prove his ability in the Reds bullpen this season. He started the season on the injured list due to a back injury suffered in spring training. Cincinnati activated him in late May, but he appeared in just two MLB games this year and has spent most of the season in Triple-A.

New York needs serious help in the bullpen, especially from lefties. Veteran free agent signing Jake Diekman has struggled to replace the team’s top lefty reliever Brooks Raley following his season-ending surgery. A mix of young, inexperienced pitchers have failed to establish themselves in limited opportunities.

Young should receive a real opportunity to showcase his value in Triple-A and could be called upon to the majors before the end of the month.