Report: Mets bring back Ottavino with 2-year, $14.5M deal
The New York Mets agreed to a two-year, $14.5-million deal with right-hander Adam Ottavino, reports the New York Post's Joel Sherman.
Ottavino's reported pact includes an opt-out clause after 2023 and up to $1 million in incentives, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.
The 37-year-old sidewinder was terrific for the Mets last season, posting a 6-3 record with a 2.06 ERA, 2.85 FIP, and 10.8 K/9 in 65 2/3 innings.
Ottavino was also in the 90th percentile in a number of Statcast categories, including average exit velocity, hard hit percentage, xBA, xSLG, and barrel percentage, according to Baseball Savant.
He should form a tremendous triple threat at the back end of New York's bullpen with newly acquired David Robertson and All-Star closer Edwin Diaz.
Ottavino is the latest addition by the Mets, who have already signed Justin Verlander, Kodai Senga, Robertson, Jose Quintana, and Omar Narvaez to free-agent deals this offseason.
They've also re-signed Brandon Nimmo and Diaz.
New York's offseason spending spree pushed its competitive balance tax payroll to about $358 million, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. With taxes, that number increases to around $446 million.