The New York Mets made several roster adjustments on November 4, 2025, acquiring right-hander Joey Gerber from the Tampa Bay Rays for cash and signing left-hander Brandon Waddell to a one-year Major League contract for 2026. The team also exercised options for Brooks Raley and A.J. Minter while declining Drew Smith's option, with Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz entering free agency.
On November 4, 2025, the New York Mets announced a series of offseason moves to shape their 2026 roster, focusing on bullpen depth and key retentions.
In a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays, the Mets acquired right-handed reliever Joey Gerber for cash considerations, adding him to the 40-man roster. Gerber, 28, appeared in two games for the Rays in 2025, posting a 2.08 ERA over 4.1 innings. He spent most of the season at Triple-A Durham, where he recorded a 6.23 ERA with 54 strikeouts in 43 1/3 innings across 34 appearances. Gerber has 19 career Major League games with the Rays and Seattle Mariners, including a 1-1 record and 4.02 ERA in 17 outings with the Mariners in 2020. A fastball-slider pitcher with a four-seamer reaching the mid- to upper 90s, Gerber holds a Minor League option, providing roster flexibility.
The Mets also signed left-hander Brandon Waddell to a one-year Major League contract for 2026. Waddell, a success story in 2025 after returning from three years in Korea, made 11 appearances for the Mets (one start), achieving a 3.45 ERA with 22 strikeouts and 11 walks over 31 1/3 innings. He shuttled between the Majors and Triple-A Syracuse, where he went 3-9 with a 5.02 ERA in 19 games (15 starts). Across 22 career MLB games, Waddell holds a 0-1 record and 4.09 ERA. Unlike last year, he no longer has a Minor League option.
Additional moves included exercising left-hander Brooks Raley's $4.75 million club option for 2026. Left-hander A.J. Minter and right-hander Frankie Montas exercised their player options at $11 million and an undisclosed amount, respectively. The Mets declined right-hander Drew Smith's club option, making him a free agent. Infielder Pete Alonso and closer Edwin Díaz declined their player options, also becoming free agents. These actions signal an ongoing bullpen overhaul, following earlier signings of Richard Lovelady and Joe Jacques.
