The Shadow
NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets re-signed reliever Adam Ottavino to a two-year contract on Tuesday, bringing back a top setup man for All-Star closer Edwin Díaz.
Ottavino’s deal includes a player option for 2024. He became a free agent after going 6-3 with a 2.06 ERA and three saves in 66 appearances last season, his first with his hometown Mets.
The 37-year-old right-hander, who grew up in Brooklyn, tied for seventh in the National League with 19 holds and held right-handed hitters to a .161 batting average. Using his sweeping slider, he finished with 79 strikeouts and 16 walks in 65 2/3 innings to help the Mets reach the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
“Adam has a long track record of success,” Mets general manager Billy Eppler said in a news release. “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.”
Ottavino joins veteran right-hander David Robertson and lefty Brooks Raley in the back of a Mets bullpen anchored by Díaz.
Robertson agreed to a $10 million, one-year contract, Raley was acquired from Tampa Bay in a trade and Díaz was re-signed to a $102 million, five-year deal. Right-hander Drew Smith also returns.
Ottavino is 38-34 with a 3.44 ERA and 33 saves in 12 major league seasons with the Cardinals, Rockies, Yankees, Red Sox and Mets.
In a corresponding move, right-hander William Woods was designated for assignment by New York.
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