During spring training, Cole Sulser intends to keep his New York Mets cap on for as long as possible.AP
Earlier this month at the General Managers Meetings, David Stearns, the president of baseball operations for the New York Mets, identified pitching as a need. He signed his first pitcher on Monday, but it’s not the kind of big-name player the team has been waiting for.
The Mets announced that Cole Sulser has signed a minor league contract. He’s been invited to spring training as well.
Right-handed reliever Sulser, 33 years old, has a 3.87 ERA in 132 2/3 innings pitched over the course of five seasons. He played for both the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Tampa Bay Rays during the 2023 season, pitching 5 1/3 innings on a major league mound with Arizona. Sulser, who began the season with Arizona, experienced a strain to his right shoulder in April. As per MLB Trade Rumors, after his return in July, he was designated for assignment and subsequently claimed by the Rays, who placed him on optional assignment for the remainder of the season. Sulser pitched 18 2/2 innings for the Rays Triple-A team, recording a 3.86 ERA and 1.39 WHIP.
The Mets would be Sulser’s fifth team if he stays. He has also been with the Baltimore Orioles and the Miami Marlins. Sulser’s best season was in 2021 with Baltimore, when he posted a 2.70 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 63 1/3 innings. Sulser uses a combination of a fastball, changeup, and slider, with his changeup being used nearly 40% of the time.
The Mets, who lost Adam Ottavino and declined to extend contracts to Trevor Gott, Jeff Brigham, and Sam Coonrod, are taking a cheap risk on a player who might earn a spot in the bullpen.