According to an AP source, pitcher Shintaro Fujinami and the Mets have agreed to a $3.35 million, one-year contract.
NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets agreed to one-year contracts with free agents Shintaro Fujinami and Jake Diekman on Friday in an effort to strengthen their bullpen.
NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets agreed to one-year contracts with free agents Shintaro Fujinami and Jake Diekman on Friday in an effort to strengthen their bullpen.
The Associated Press was informed by a person familiar with the negotiations that Fujinami’s deal is for $3.35 million. The individual talked under the condition of anonymity because the deal was contingent on a successful physical examination.
An additional $850,000 in performance bonuses are available to the hard-throwing right-hander for games played: $100,000 for games played 35 and $250,000 for games played 40, 55, and 60.
A different person familiar with the agreement claims that Diekman’s deal is still pending a physical. Since the contract had not been finalized, the person spoke to the AP under the condition of anonymity.
The Mets bullpen, which struggled in the previous season but is suddenly starting to look much deeper under new President of Baseball Operations David Stearns, has added veteran lefty Diekman and veteran pitcher Fujinami. Experienced setup man Adam Ottavino was re-signed by New York on Tuesday for a one-year contract worth $4.5 million. Star closer Edwin Díaz is anticipated to return to health this spring after missing the previous season due to right knee surgery.
Along with right-handers Drew Smith and Phil Bickford, lefty Brooks Raley, and rookie Jorge López—who was an All-Star with Baltimore in 2022—comprise the relief corps.
Last year, after going 0–4 in the rotation, he was moved to the bullpen and went on to make three more starts in June. After being traded to Baltimore on July 19, he quickly established himself as a much more successful reliever for the AL East champion Orioles, going 2-0 in 30 appearances with a 4.85 ERA and two saves.
With a fastball that can reach 98–99 mph, Fujinami pitched seven starts and fifty-seven relief innings before finishing 7-8 overall with a 7.18 ERA. He walked 45 in 79 innings while striking out 83, demonstrating a lack of control.
During the previous season, Diekman, 37, made 63 relief appearances for the White Sox and Rays, going 0-2 with a 3.34 ERA. In early May, he was released by Chicago and signed with Tampa Bay four days later. During his time there, he had much greater success, finishing with a 2.18 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings over 50 appearances.
In 12 major league seasons, Diekman is 25-31 with a 3.82 ERA and 15 saves. In addition, he has pitched for Boston, Texas, Arizona, Kansas City, Oakland, and Philadelphia.
On Friday, the Mets also sent catcher Tyler Heineman to Boston in exchange for cash. Max Castillo, a right-hander, was assigned to the Red Sox. Heineman, 32, batted.237 in 22 games for Toronto and Pittsburgh last season.
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