Mets make room for Jake Diekman in bullpen by cutting Austin Adams
Then-Diamondbacks pitcher Austin Adams throws to a Guardians batter during a game on June 18, 2023, in Phoenix. Credit: AP/Darryl Webb
The Mets cut righthander Austin Adams on Tuesday to make room on the roster for lefthander Jake Diekman.
Diekman agreed to a one-year, $4 million contract — with the possibility of a second year — last week. Once it became official, the Mets needed to clear a spot.
As part of the Mets’ late-offseason effort to bolster the bullpen, they brought in Diekman, who slots in as a second lefty behind the returning Brooks Raley. Diekman, 37, is entering his 13th season in the majors. He had a 2.18 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with the Rays last year after struggling early with the White Sox.
Included within Diekman’s contract: a team option for 2025 (for another $4 million). However, that extra year would become guaranteed if Diekman appears in 58 games. He has racked up at least that many appearances in each of the past five full seasons.
“Jake has a proven track record and has shown the ability to get batters out of from both sides of the plate,” president of baseball operations David Stearns said, in part, in a statement released by the team. “He gives our bullpen another option to provide key outs.”
The Mets signed Adams to a split contract — with a larger but not guaranteed salary if he was on the major-league team — in November, when the 40-man roster was freshly pruned and had lots of room. He was going to figure into the bullpen competition in spring training. It is possible he remains with the organization if he clears waivers.
Tim Healey is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. Born on Long Island and raised in Connecticut, Tim has previously worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Boston Globe and MLB.com. He is also the author of “Hometown Hardball,” a book about minor league baseball in the northeast.
