At the start of the 2022 MLB season, the New York Mets experienced an unusually high number of hit-by-pitches. The breaking point came when St. Louis Cardinals reliever Genesis Cabrera hit J.D. Davis, prompting Mets pitcher Yoan Lopez to throw an inside pitch near Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado. This escalated into a bench-clearing brawl, resulting in suspensions for Arenado and Cabrera.
Fast forward to over two years later, circumstances have shifted. Lopez hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2022, Arenado is reportedly on the trade block, and Cabrera has signed a minor league deal with the Mets—the same team involved in the infamous brawl.
The Mets see Cabrera’s signing as a low-risk opportunity to bolster their bullpen. While his recent performance has been inconsistent—posting a 3.59 ERA with Toronto but also a 5.13 FIP and a decreased strikeout rate—Cabrera’s history as a hard-throwing lefty offers promise. With no established left-handed reliever in the Mets’ bullpen, Cabrera has a real chance to make the Opening Day roster and compete with southpaw Danny Young for a spot.
Despite Cabrera’s struggles last season, the minor league deal poses little risk for the Mets, with the potential for a significant payoff if he regains form. His history with New York adds intrigue to the move, which aligns with the team’s strategic efforts to strengthen its bullpen depth.
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