Mets Bring Back Ottavino To Solidify Back End Of Bullpen

 

Adam Ottavino closing out a win against the Dodgers on September 1. Photo by Jason Schott.

The Mets announced on Tuesday morning that they have resigned right-handed relief pitcher Adam Ottavino to a one-year contract with a player option for the 2024 season.

This now cements the back end of the Mets bullpen, with Ottavino and David Robertson, whom they signed as a free agent from the Philadelphia Phillies earlier this month, setting up closer Edwin Diaz, whom they re-signed the second the offseason commenced.

Last season, in his first season with the Mets, Ottavino was the most reliable reliever after Diaz, as he would routinely pitch the eighth inning ahead of Diaz. Additionally, if Diaz came in earlier, such as in the seventh or eighth innings, Mets Manager Buck Showalter would turn to Ottavino to finish the game, and he earned three saves.

Ottavino, a Brooklyn native who attended Berkeley Carroll High School in Park Slope, previously pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals (2010), Colorado Rockies (2012-18), Yankees (2019-20), and Boston Red Sox (2021) before joining the Mets as a free agent ahead of the 2022 season.

With the Mets, Ottavino had one of the best seasons of his career, as he went 6-3, with the six victories tied for sixth among National League Relievers, and 19 holds, tied for seventh among NL relievers. 

Ottavino had a 2.06 ERA (earned run average), as he allowed just 15 earned runs in 65.2 innings. His ERA was the fourth-lowest by a Mets reliever in their first year with the team (minimum 50 innings). He was one of nine relievers last season with 60 or more outings and a  sub 1.00 WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched), as it was 0.975, and a strikeout percentage of 30 percent or higher (30.6 percent). 

Mets General Manager Billy Eppler said in a statement, "Adam has a long track record of success. He was a staple for us late in games last season, which shows the trust we have in him. We're excited to have him back."