On Saturday, the Mets took a flier on another player and completed a minor league deal with reliever Andre Scrubb, per Mets.com’s Anthony DiComo.
Scrubb was a former eighth-round pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers back in 2016. He never saw the big league field for the Dodgers as he spent his time in their farm system. He was traded to the Houston Astros in July 2019 and was called up to the big leagues in 2020. During the shortened season, Scrubb pitched to a 1.90 ERA in 23.2 innings. He was added to the Astros postseason roster, where he pitched four games. This past season, Scrubb pitched in the Atlantic League for the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs and threw for a 1.15 ERA in 15 relief appearances for the club. He has recently pitched in the Puerto Rican winter league.
Mar 12, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Team Great Britain pitcher Andre Scrubb (70) on the mound against Team Canada during the third inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Zachary BonDurant-USA TODAY Sports
Soon to be 29 years old in January, Scrubb has shown potential both in Houston, in the Atlantic League, and internationally. In Puerto Rico, he’s walked only one batter in 13 innings and struck out 16. He’s been throwing in the mid-90s in Puerto Rico with a good cutter. In Houston, he pitched to a 3.32 ERA in 38 appearances from 2020-2021. It doesn’t seem like a bad option at all for the Mets to take a flier on him with a minor-league deal. The Mets need as many bullpen arms as possible, and Scrubb gives them another option.
The theme of the New York Mets offseason in terms of on the field so far has been taking fliers on players and adding depth. Such was the purpose of signing Luis Severino and Joey Wendle. Severino becomes part of a flux pitching rotation and Wendle is now the utility man who can play all across the infield. Subsequent signing of Austin Adams, and waiver pickups Cooper Hummel and Tyler Heineman. Adding depth to a team that lacked it last year.
