Mets sign former Blue Jays lefty Génesis Cabrera to minor-league deal
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Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Thomas Hall
Nov 27, 2024, 12:30 ESTUpdated: Nov 27, 2024, 12:56 EST
Left-hander Génesis Cabrera has found a new home.
The New York Mets have signed the former Toronto Blue Jays southpaw to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training, the club announced Wednesday. The 28-year-old was granted free agency earlier this month after he was designated for assignment and cleared waivers.
Cabrera, acquired by the Blue Jays via trade from the St. Louis Cardinals in 2023, pitched to a respectable 3.59 ERA with 50 strikeouts over 69 relief appearances last season, the second-most of his six-year major-league career. But, the lefty considerably outperformed his expected results, as evidenced by his 5.13 FIP and 4.31 xERA.
Additionally, the 6-foot-2 reliever accounted for minus-0.5 fWAR, his second-worst rating.
In left-on-left matchups, opponents slashed .242/.318/.442 against Cabrera, who posted a 9.3-per-cent strikeout-to-walk rate difference in those situations. That was a significant decline from his 21.6-per-cent rating in 2023.
The left-hander displayed vast improvement following his mid-season arrival from St. Louis two seasons ago, lowering his walk rate (12.6 per cent to 6.3 per cent) and home run totals (1.69 HR/9 to 0.76) in 29 outings with Toronto. Overall, he was worth 0.3 fWAR.
Cabrera’s arsenal extends beyond one of a traditional relief pitcher, including five pitches, headlined by his 80th percentile average fastball velocity (96 m.p.h.). He possesses three fastballs, a four-seamer, sinker and cutter, as well as a curveball and changeup.
The Blue Jays elevated Cabrera’s role as their primary lefty specialist following Tim Mayza’s departure last season. Now, he’ll have a chance to earn a spot in a Mets bullpen that’s already faced plenty of turnover behind All-Star closer Edwin Díaz.