Photo by The Knoxville News-Sentinel

The New York Mets have announced they have signed three more of their 2022 MLB Draft picks right-handed pitcher Blade Tidwell, outfielder Nick Morabito, and third baseman Jacob Reimer.

Tidwell signed for a $1.85 million bonus, which is $374,900 over slot. Tidwell had fallen to the second round partially due to early season shoulder issues.

As noted, the Mets signed their other second round pick, Morabito. Like Tidwell, Morabito signed an over-slot deal. His $1 million bonus was $126,300 over-slot.

Additionally, the Mets signed fourth round pick, Reimer. At the moment, the terms of the deal have not been disclosed. All three draft picks were at batting practice before the game against the New York Yankees.

Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline reports that the Mets have signed seventh round pick Jonah Tong to a $226,000 bonus, right at slot value. Tong is a 19-year-old right-handed pitcher from Canada. The Mets have also signed the best name in the draft, their 10th rounder Zebulon Vermillion has signed for $20,000. That is significantly under the slot value of $152,250. With their signings, the Mets have agreed to terms with three of their first four picks and four of their first six picks. Their only unsigned pick from the first two rounds was Kevin Parada, the 11th overall selection.

While Tidwell and Morabito received an over-slot bonus, first round pick Jett Williams received an under-slot bonus. His $3.9 million bonus saved $340,000 for the Mets bonus pool.

As noted, Tidwell’s bonus exceeded those savings. In fact, Tidwell and Morabito combined were $501,200 over. Including Wiliiams’ savings, that’s $161,200 over their allotted bonus pool. The Mets had another $130,000 savings toward the pool after signing Vermillion.

Of course, that’s without knowing the terms of Reimer’s signing. The Mets’ top pick, Parada, remains unsigned as does third round pick right-handed pitcher Brandon Sproat.

Should the Mets exceed their $13,963,000 bonus pool, they would face penalties of 75% if they surpass it by up to 5%. If the Mets were between 5 – 10% above, they’d pay the same 75% penalty while also losing a future first round pick.

There are higher penalties beyond that, but teams have not reached those thresholds. In all likelihood, while the Mets may well exceed their bonus pool, it is doubtful they’d be willing to lose a future first rounder.