Adam Ottavino DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Right-handed relief pitcher Adam Ottavino signed a minor-league contract with the Boston Red Sox. This deal also includes an invitation to spring training. Ottavino spent the 2021 campaign in Boston but has spent the past three seasons in Queens. Last summer, Ottavino held a 4.34 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP across 56 innings with the Mets. He generated a strong 3.19 xERA, which suggests he should see some regression when he returns to the mound. However, during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, the right-hander was very effective as he held a 2.62 ERA and a strong 1.09 WHIP across 127 1/3 innings. During this stretch, he tallied 141 punchouts and added 32 holds. Fantasy managers should expect the 39-year-old to compete for a bullpen role in Boston. If he cracks the Opening Day roster, he could eventually earn a high-leverage role.

New York Mets relief pitcher Adam Ottavino was called upon to close out Tuesday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. The veteran right-hander is normally a set-up pitcher, but was asked to close with Edwin Diaz being unavailable for this game. Ottavino gave up a home run and got some traffic on the bases. Despite that, he was able to strike out the final two batters and record his first save of the season. It's unlikely that Ottavino gets many more saves in the future with Diaz being the primary option.

New York Mets relief pitcher Adam Ottavino tossed a scoreless eighth inning during Wednesday's 1-0 loss to the visiting Chicago Cubs, continuing to throw as well as any reliever in recent weeks. Believe it or not, Ottavino has not allowed a hit to the last 34 batters he's faced, walking only two and striking out 17 over this superb stretch that dates back to April 5. The 38-year-old veteran high-leverage arm has tallied nine consecutive hitless appearances out of New York's bullpen, and he now carries a shiny 1.54 ERA, 0.51 WHIP, and 20:2 K:BB over 11 2/3 innings overall for the Mets during the 2024 regular season. With Drew Smith (shoulder) and Brooks Raley (elbow) on the shelf, it looks pretty clear that Ottavino would be next in line for save opportunities in Queens in the event that Edwin Diaz ever needs to miss time for whatever reason.

Free-agent relief pitcher Adam Ottavino and the New York Mets agreed to a one-year, $4.5 million deal, pending a physical, on Saturday. Ottavino became a free agent this offseason after declining a $6.75 million player option, with $4 million of it being deferred. The 38-year-old veteran will return on a cheaper deal and will return in a high-leverage role as a setup man ahead of closer Edwin Diaz, who missed all of 2023 due to a knee injury. Ottavino had a 3.21 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 62 strikeouts and a career-high 12 saves in 61 2/3 relief innings in Queens last season. His velocity dipped in 2023, though, and opponents squared him up much more often, meaning he might not be as effective in 2024 if that trend continues. Ottavino also won't be in line for nearly as many save chances as long as Diaz is healthy.

The New York Mets have reportedly considered free-agent relief pitcher Adam Ottavino as an option to bolster their bullpen this offseason. The 38-year-old veteran pitched well for the Mets last season, going 1-7 with 12 saves and 12 holds along with a 3.21 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 23.8% strikeout rate in 61 2/3 innings pitched. Ottavino's fantasy relevance would most likely come in saves-plus-holds leagues wherever he ends up, although he likely would not see as many save opportunities if he rejoined the Mets, as Edwin Diaz will be returning from a right patellar tendon repair.