{"id":75972,"date":"2025-07-04T07:40:26","date_gmt":"2025-07-04T07:40:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=75972"},"modified":"2025-07-04T07:44:59","modified_gmt":"2025-07-04T07:44:59","slug":"mets-stay-active-and-sign-free-agent-pitcher-to-major-league-contract","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=75972","title":{"rendered":"Mets stay active and sign free agent pitcher to major league contract"},"content":{"rendered":"
The New York Mets\u2018 season is hanging by a thread, with injuries ripping through the roster like a summer thunderstorm.<\/p>\n
Once viewed as postseason lock, the Mets now find themselves grasping at stability with an injured list longer than a grocery receipt.<\/p>\n
Twelve pitchers\u2014yes, twelve\u2014are currently sidelined. That includes names like Sean Manaea, Kodai Senga, and even key bullpen arms like Dedniel Nunez, A.J. Minter, and Max Kranick.<\/p>\n
The injured list reads more like a full rotation and bullpen combo than a temporary casualty count. It\u2019s a manager\u2019s nightmare.<\/p>\n
Forced to act fast, the Mets dipped into the free agent pool Thursday night and landed right-hander Zach Pop on a major-league deal.<\/p>\n
MLB insider Robert Murray was the first to report the news, stating that Pop had recently been designated for assignment by Seattle and the Mets were pouncing on a new chance to add a relevant arm.<\/p>\n\n
\n
Free-agent reliever Zach Pop and the New York Mets are in agreement on a major-league contract, source said. Pop was recently designated for assignment by the Mariners.<\/p>\n
Pop\u2019s stint with the Mariners was brief and bumpy\u2014just 5.1 innings pitched, a 13.50 ERA, and a 2.25 WHIP over four appearances.<\/p>\n
Despite the rocky numbers in Seattle, Zach Pop isn\u2019t a throwaway piece. His career ERA sits at a manageable 4.75 over 161 innings.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s shown flashes of being a reliable reliever, especially earlier in his career with the Marlins and Blue Jays. There might still be some upside here.<\/p>\nCredit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Can the Mets Unlock Zach Pop\u2019s Untapped Talent?<\/strong><\/p>\n
This signing is about both plugging a hole and finding potential. And the Mets believe Zach Pop has more in the tank.<\/p>\n
Pitching coach Jeremy Hefner and assistant Desi Druschel now have a new project on their hands\u2014and they\u2019ve worked miracles before.<\/p>\n
If any coaching staff can reshape a struggling arm into something functional, it\u2019s the development group in Queens.<\/p>\n
Pop\u2019s stuff still can be useful, and he is theoretically in his prime at 28.<\/p>\n
For a team short on velocity and healthy arms, a low-risk arm like Pop could be a sneaky piece of insurance, especially considering his fastball has averaged 96.3 mph this season.<\/p>\n
Think of Pop like a forgotten puzzle piece\u2014he won\u2019t complete the picture himself, but he could help stabilize the edges.<\/p>\n
The Mets have turned to internal depth in recent weeks, but there\u2019s only so much AAA talent that\u2019s ready for big-league pressure.<\/p>\n
This move gives them a veteran arm who has pitched meaningful innings in the past and could provide immediate relief.<\/p>\nCredit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Why This Move Matters in the Bigger Picture<\/strong><\/p>\n
Adding Zach Pop signals that the Mets aren\u2019t throwing in the towel\u2014they\u2019re still hunting for solutions amid chaos.<\/p>\n
This isn\u2019t a splashy trade or a headline-grabbing acquisition, but it\u2019s the kind of move that keeps a team breathing.<\/p>\n
And with a trade deadline approaching and key starters still weeks away from returning, every piece matters.<\/p>\n
Zach Pop may not save the Mets\u2019 season, but if he holds down the bullpen for even a few weeks, it\u2019s a win.<\/p>\n
The Mets are gambling on upside and hoping their developmental magic still works, even when the pressure\u2019s at its peak.<\/p>\n
The reality is that Pop represents what most contenders look for in July: a low-cost arm with a potentially high return.<\/p>\n
He may not be the answer, but right now, he might be just enough of a bandage to buy time for the cavalry to arrive.<\/p>\n
The New York Mets signed Zach Pop amid a brutal wave of pitching injuries. Can their development team unlock his potential?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":75975,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-75972","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"\n
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![\"Mets](\"https:\/\/empiresportsmedia.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1250,height=833,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/MLB-Seattle-Mariners-at-Minnesota-Twins-26540420.jpg\")
![\"Mets](\"https:\/\/empiresportsmedia.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1250,height=834,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/MLB-Boston-Red-Sox-at-Seattle-Mariners-26472321.jpg\")