In a move that highlights the Mets' ongoing quest to strengthen their pitching staff, the team has recently signed an experienced pitcher with an impressive 11-year career, including a World Series championship. But here's where it gets controversial—the question remains: can this veteran help turn the Mets’ pitching troubles around?
The Mets arrived at the Major League Baseball Winter Meetings in Orlando facing clear pressure to revamp their roster. After a blockbuster offseason last year, expectations were high, yet they fell short, missing out on the postseason entirely. While many factors contributed to this disappointing outcome, the pitching staff was undoubtedly one of the main issues.
Throughout the season, Mets starters struggled in the final months, and their bullpen suffered a significant blow when their closer, Edwin Diaz, chose to leave via free agency. With these gaps in mind, the team is now focused on acquiring new arms to bolster their rotation and bullpen, aiming for a much stronger performance in the upcoming season.
Adding to this effort, the Mets made a notable signing on Monday by bringing in Carl Edwards Jr., a pitcher with a decorated career, including a World Series ring. This move involves a minor league contract with an invitation to participate in major league spring training, giving Edwards a chance to compete for a spot on the roster.
According to SNY Mets on X (formerly Twitter), Edwards, 34 years old, has pitched for eight different Major League Baseball teams over his 11-year career. His most memorable stint was with the Chicago Cubs during their 2016 World Series-winning season, where he posted a 3.75 ERA while earning two saves during the regular season. He also contributed in three playoff games that year.
However, Edwards’ career trajectory has seen some setbacks in recent years. As Steve Adams from MLB Trade Rumors explains, shortly after his peak with the Cubs, he experienced command issues that led to him becoming more of a journeyman. Despite these hurdles, he managed a resurgence with the Washington Nationals in 2022-23, pitching 93⅔ innings with a respectable 3.07 ERA. His strikeout rate during this period was about 20.1%, although his walk rate also saw improvement compared to earlier phases of his career.
With his extensive experience, Edwards is expected to serve as valuable veteran depth for the Mets. He might be called upon to contribute at the major league level when needed. Last season, he had brief appearances with the Los Angeles Angels and Texas Rangers, posting a 4.50 ERA over just six innings. His performance across Triple-A affiliates for those organizations was similar, with a 4.44 ERA over 50⅔ innings, 25 earned runs, and 57 strikeouts.
And this is the part most people overlook—whether Edwards can rediscover his earlier form and provide meaningful support to the Mets’ pitching staff remains to be seen. But his addition certainly gives the team more options and veteran leadership as they work toward restructuring their roster for a better postseason run.
What do you think? Can Edwards Jr. be a key piece in the Mets' rebuilding efforts, or is this just another stopgap? Share your thoughts and opinions below—this kind of debate is exactly what makes baseball so fascinating.
