New York Mets DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Right-handed reliever Drew Smith (elbow) agreed to an undisclosed one-year deal to re-sign with the New York Mets on Wednesday, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. The deal includes a club option for the 2026 season. Smith continues to rehab from a hybrid internal-brace/Tommy John surgery last July. There is a chance the 31-year-old reliever could return later this year, but it's more likely the Mets are envisioning him returning to full strength in 2026. The TJ surgery he had last summer was the second such procedure of his career. The former third-round selection by the Detroit Tigers in 2015 out of Dallas Baptist University had a nice 3.06 ERA (3.56 FIP), 1.53 WHIP, two saves, 23 strikeouts and nine walks in 17 2/3 relief innings for the Mets last year before injuring his elbow. Smith can obviously be ignored in all fantasy formats in 2025.

Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington mentions Jared Triolo, DJ Stewart and Darick Hall as options that the Pirates will consider at first base now that Spencer Horwitz is expected to miss six to eight weeks with a wrist injury that required surgery. Those three players should see the most reps at first base in spring training with Horwitz sidelined, but Cherington also mentioned the possibility that there could be others that get work at first that aren't as familiar with the position. Cherington also said the team's focus right now is to keep left fielder Bryan Reynolds in the outfield. Triolo won a Gold Glove as a utility player in 2024 and is the most likely option to benefit the most from Horwitz's injury early in the season. However, he hit just .216/.296/.315 with nine homers and eight steals in 125 games in 2024 and probably won't move the needle much fantasy-wise, especially if he's in a platoon at first.

According to Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Atlanta Braves are signing left-handed pitcher Jake Diekman to a minor-league deal that includes an invite to spring training. Last season, the 38-year-old logged 32 innings with the New York Mets. Across this stint, Diekman held a 5.63 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. He was unable to command his pitches as he posted a hefty 16.6 percent walk rate. However, he did post a strong 27.6 percent strikeout rate. This was a steep decline from the 3.34 ERA and the 1.32 WHIP he held across 56 2/3 innings during the 2023 campaign. Fantasy managers should monitor his progression during spring training as he could contend to earn a spot in the Atlanta bullpen. If he were to earn a role, he would likely operate as a low-leverage option.

New York Mets right-hander Jose Butto will be a reliever this year, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. Meanwhile, Mendoza said that right-hander Tylor Megill will be stretched out as a starter during spring training. Butto went 7-3 with a nice .255 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, his first three career saves and a 79:38 K:BB in 74 innings over 30 appearances (seven starts) for the Mets in 2024. The 26-year-old was primarily a starter in the minors, but he had a 2.00 ERA down the stretch as a reliever last year and will stick in a late-inning setup role for the Mets. A high walk rate will make it hard for Butto to improve on his numbers last year. Megill, 29, will be in the mix for a rotation spot early in 2025 with the Mets planning to use a six-man rotation. He'll be competing with the likes of David Peterson, Griffin Canning and Paul Blackburn.

New York Mets infield prospect Ronny Mauricio (knee) isn't expected to appear in spring training games until at least mid-March as he continues to rehab from knee injuries. Mauricio torn his right ACL and had surgery on his knee in December of 2023 before needing a cleanup procedure in August of last year. The 23-year-old didn't play at all in 2024 as a result, and he almost certainly won't be ready for Opening Day in 2025. Even if Mauricio was somehow ready for Opening Day, he'd most likely start at Triple-A Syracuse. In his MLB debut in 2023, Mauricio hit .248/.296/.347 with a .643 OPS, two homers, nine RBI, seven steals and 11 runs scored in 108 trips to the plate. Before being recalled to the big leagues in 2023, he was crushing the ball in the minors, although his free-swinging ways could get him in trouble at the next level. For now, Mauricio should be held in dynasty/keeper leagues.