The Mets have called up right-hander Jonah Tong from Triple-A Syracuse. In a significant move, they’ve designated veteran pitcher Craig Kimbrel for assignment.
Kimbrel, who turns 38 soon, has been one of baseball’s top closers in the past but hasn’t performed as well in recent years. He started this season on a minor league contract that could bring him $2.5 million if he made the team. Unfortunately, his time with the Mets hasn’t been stellar; he pitched 15 innings, allowing 10 earned runs, resulting in a 6.00 ERA.
Interestingly, despite the high ERA, Kimbrel’s numbers aren’t all bad. His strikeout rate is 23.4%, which is close to league average, while his walk rate is 9.4%. Unfortunately, he’s been plagued by a high batting average on balls in play at .325 and a 15.8% home run-to-fly ball ratio. Metrics like FIP (4.90) and SIERA (3.76) suggest he might have been unlucky this season.
Kimbrel’s ERA might be one reason the Mets are pivoting toward younger players. Over the past month, they have let go of several veterans, opting instead for fresh talent. With Tong’s promotion, he joins a youth movement alongside others like A.J. Ewing and Nick Morabito.
Moving forward, Kimbrel finds himself in DFA limbo. The Mets may look for trade options, but with his current performance and age, a trade could be tricky. If they can’t find a match, Kimbrel might clear waivers, allowing him to sign with another team for a fraction of his salary.
As for Tong, his future role on the team remains uncertain. He has a 5.68 ERA in Triple-A, yet his arm could still be useful given that the major league roster recently lost Clay Holmes to injury. Holmes’s fractured fibula will sideline him for several months.
Tobias Myers is set to start today but has been limited in outings. Sean Manaea could handle long relief, and Tong may offer further options. The Mets currently have four solid starters—Freddy Peralta, Nolan McLean, Christian Scott, and David Peterson. However, there’s room for adjustments, especially considering Peterson’s struggles with an ERA above 5.00.
In short, the Mets are making bold moves as they look to build a competitive future while navigating present challenges. As fans and analysts watch closely, the impact of these changes will shape the team’s direction.
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craig kimbrel,jonah tong,tobias myers
