The New York Mets just made another under-the-radar roster move, outrighting left-hander Brandon Waddell to Triple-A. They’d designated him for assignment to clear a 40-man spot for catcher Drew Romo.
This sort of transaction rarely grabs headlines. Still, it says a lot about how the Mets are building pitching depth and prioritizing flexibility for the future.
Mets Prioritize Roster Flexibility with Brandon Waddell Move
When the Mets designated Brandon Waddell for assignment earlier in the week, the message was clear: they wanted Drew Romo on the 40-man roster. Now that Waddell’s cleared waivers and landed in Triple-A, New York keeps some pitching depth without losing a valuable roster spot.
Waddell, 31, isn’t a prospect anymore. But he’s the kind of arm contending teams like to stash in the upper minors—experienced, versatile, and able to cover multiple innings in relief.
Why Drew Romo Necessitated a 40-Man Move
The Mets needed to open a 40-man roster spot for Drew Romo, a catcher they value for his defense and game-calling. Catching depth is always at a premium, and Romo could be a long-term piece behind the plate.
Given that, moving a fringe roster arm like Waddell makes sense, even if it seems a bit harsh.
Waddell’s 2025 Mets Performance: Respectable Surface Numbers, Shaky Underlying Stats
Waddell’s 2025 return to the majors was a quiet success story. He hadn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2021 and came in with just 12 2/3 MLB innings across four teams.
For someone in that spot to grab a long relief role on a Mets squad trying to stay in the race is no small feat. On the surface, he put up a 3.45 ERA over 31 1/3 innings out of the bullpen.
He handled multi-inning relief, soaking up lower-leverage spots and giving the back end of the bullpen a breather.
The Analytics Paint a Different Picture
But dig a little deeper and things get murky. Waddell’s 4.54 FIP suggests his ERA flattered him.
Those numbers hint at a pitcher more reliant on sequencing and defense than on overpowering hitters. In today’s game, that profile feels risky, especially in a hitter-friendly park or behind shaky defense.
From KBO Success to Triple-A Struggles
What makes Waddell interesting is the gap between his overseas dominance and his stateside struggles. Before rejoining the Mets, he put together three strong seasons in the KBO with the Doosan Bears, posting a 2.98 ERA across 43 starts and getting ground balls at a high clip.
That version of Waddell attacked the bottom of the zone, generated soft contact, and thrived as a starter. It’s a much more encouraging picture than what the Mets have seen lately.
Triple-A Numbers Raise Red Flags
Hopes that his KBO success would fully translate to MLB have faded after his recent work in the minors. In 2025 at Triple-A, Waddell posted a 5.02 ERA over 75 1/3 innings.
His reduced ground-ball rates and average strikeout totals suggest he’s still searching for sharper command or a more reliable out pitch.
What Waddell’s Future Looks Like with the Mets
At this point, Waddell doesn’t project as a reliable big league starter. The Mets view him as a serviceable non-roster depth arm—someone who can bounce between Triple-A and the majors, eat innings in low-leverage spots, and maybe spot start if things get weird.
It’s not a glamorous gig, but every team needs those guys over a 162-game season. If injuries pile up or the rotation gets thin, Waddell’s experience and durability could bring him back to Queens in 2026, especially if he sharpens up in Triple-A.
How Young Arms Could Shape His Path Back
Waddell’s outlook ties in closely with the Mets’ bigger pitching plans. A lot hinges on a few key factors:
If Tong or Sproat get dealt, or if injuries pile up early, Waddell might find a clearer path back to the majors. But if the Mets load up on proven arms and hang onto their top prospects, he’s probably more of an insurance policy than a top option.
Right now, Brandon Waddell stays in the organization. He’s off the 40-man, but honestly, he’s still on the radar—a reminder that in today’s game, that gap between expendable depth and much-needed reinforcement can disappear fast.
Here is the source article for this story: Mets Outright Brandon Waddell
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