Report: Mets Agree to Deal with Joey Wendle

The Mets are in agreement on a contract with utilityman Joey Wendle  pending a physical, according to a report from Fansided’s Robert Murray.

Wendle spent the last two seasons with the Miami Marlins after previously playing for the A’s and the Rays. Wendle, an All-Star in 2021 with Tampa Bay, struggled in 2023 for Miami, slashing just .212/.248/.306 with two home runs and 20 RBIs in 318 plate appearances.

However, Wendle does provide positional versatility to the Mets’ infield after they non-tendered Luis Guillorme earlier this month.  Wendle primarily played shortstop last season, but has also been a regular at third base and second base in the past. The 33-year-old  will provide injury insurance for Francisco Lindor and Jeff McNeil, as well as whoever comes out of camp winning the third base job, be that Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, or another player that has yet to be acquired.

Wendle marks the second signing of the day for the Mets, who also inked starter Luis Severino to a one-year deal earlier on Wednesday as they continue to build out their major league depth in David Stearns’ first offseason in Queens. The Mets have also reportedly shown interest in starter Eduardo Rodríguez, and are expected to be in the mix for top tier free agents such as Yoshinobu Yamamoto.