These days, the New York Mets probably won’t make any free agency signings that will result in significant returns. That is, at least, what is anticipated. Who knows what Jose Iglesias will turn up next to alter the ball club’s culture?
Vinny Nittoli and the Mets got back together on Saturday. The Baltimore Orioles have released the 33-year-old. They were the second team he had thrown for this season, and even though he had saved four games in a row in relief, Nittoli was cut from the team’s plans. Nittoli was cut from the roster as the Orioles added more seasoned veterans to their bullpen during the trade deadline. After clearing waivers, he rightfully declined his minor league assignment and ultimately returned to the Mets, where he played for a portion of the previous campaign.
Nittoli only pitched 3.2 innings in the previous season. With just one run given up, Nittoli maintained his major league record of not allowing runs, but he wasn’t able to do it without the incredible potential of his other relievers, who also boast impressive strikeout totals.
After a successful season, Vinny Nittoli is back with the Mets.
With 12 innings combined with the Orioles and Oakland Athletics, a 1.50 ERA is very noteworthy. In fact, he has a 2.41 ERA in 18.2 innings pitched this season if we factor in his previous performance with the Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, and Mets. All of them arrived after turning thirty.
It’s interesting to note that Nittoli has performed much worse in Triple-A. The 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings have been eclipsed by a 4.70 ERA in 180 lifetime innings. However, it’s only 6.3 per nine in those few major league appearances.
When combined with Oakland’s and Baltimore’s Triple-A teams, Nittoli has performed better in 2024. In addition to a 13.7 strikeouts per 9 rate, a 2.73 ERA in 26.1 innings seemed to be too good to ignore for the Mets if they were looking to add some minor league pitching depth.
Maybe it was his Syracuse experience from the previous season that made him glad to be back in the Mets organization. This season, the Mets have gladly invited a number of minor league players to the big, with Danny Young now ranking among the most influential in the bullpen.
He apparently has an opt-out in his contract, so the Mets may need to make a decision before August 29 if they want to keep him around.
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