Adam Ottavino – New York Mets Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Adam Ottavino has carved out a reputation as a steady reliever in Major League Baseball, pitching for several teams over his career. Born in Brooklyn, he made a bit of history by becoming the first Yankee ever to wear the number 0 during his stint with the New York Yankees from 2019 to 2021.

Ottavino’s current contract with the New York Mets pays him $4.5 million for the 2024 season, which adds to his already impressive career earnings and brings his estimated net worth to $56.7 million.

The veteran righty has hopped between teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, and Mets in recent years. After spending two seasons with the Mets, he signed a fresh deal for 2024 that came with a $500,000 signing bonus.

His previous Mets contract was a bit complicated, with some deferred money that’ll be paid out until 2035. He also had a player option for 2024, but he turned that down and chose a new agreement instead.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

Adam Robert Ottavino’s baseball story started in New York City, where his love for the game pushed him toward the big leagues. He went from a kid obsessed with pitching to a serious draft prospect, all thanks to his relentless drive to improve.

Childhood and Education

Born on November 22, 1985, in New York City, Ottavino grew up in Brooklyn and just couldn’t get enough of baseball. He’d spend hours pitching against a brick wall in his neighborhood, honing his skills the old-school way.

He attended Berkeley Carroll School in Brooklyn and managed to stand out both in the classroom and on the mound. During high school, he started showing off his control and a growing arsenal of pitches.

Living in New York definitely shaped his competitive edge. Facing tough city competition helped him build the kind of mental toughness you need to survive in pro ball.

Amateur Career and Development

Ottavino’s talent earned him a scholarship to Northeastern University in Boston, where he played college ball from 2003 to 2006. At Northeastern, he really started to figure things out on the mound, tweaking his mechanics and adding new pitches.

His college stats got better every year:

• Freshman year: Showed flashes of control
• Sophomore year: Racked up more strikeouts
• Junior year: Became the team’s ace

He also pitched in summer leagues like the Cape Cod League, which gave him a chance to face top college talent and get noticed by pro scouts. His funky sidearm delivery and nasty breaking stuff became his calling cards.

By his junior year, Ottavino had become one of college baseball’s top pitching prospects.

Path to Major League Baseball

Because of his performance at Northeastern, the St. Louis Cardinals selected him in the first round (30th overall) of the 2006 MLB Draft. That was a huge step in his journey.

After signing his first pro contract, Ottavino started climbing the minor league ladder. He had to deal with challenges like:

• Adjusting to professional hitters
• Finding consistency with his unique style
• Handling the mental grind of pro ball

He pitched for Cardinals affiliates in different states, picking up experience against tougher hitters at each stop.

By 2010, after four years in the minors, Ottavino finally got called up to the big leagues with the Cardinals. That was the moment he’d been dreaming about since he was a kid.

Professional Career Highlights

Adam Ottavino’s MLB career has taken him across several teams, where he’s become known for his wicked slider and funky mechanics. He’s had both rough patches and standout seasons along the way.

Colorado Rockies Era

Ottavino’s career shifted gears when he joined the Colorado Rockies in 2012, after the Cardinals let him go on waivers. He started out as a middle reliever but earned more responsibility over time.

In 2013, he started proving himself as a solid bullpen arm. Unfortunately, Tommy John surgery in May 2015 put a pause on his progress. But he worked his way back and pitched well in 2016.

The 2017 season was tough—he struggled with his command. But in 2018, he came back strong, posting a 2.43 ERA with 112 strikeouts in 77⅔ innings. At one point, he struck out 27 batters before giving up an earned run.

He leaned on his slider and added a cutter, which helped him succeed even in the hitter-friendly environment of Coors Field.

New York Yankees Tenure

In January 2019, Ottavino signed a three-year, $27 million contract with the Yankees. He also made headlines as the first Yankee to ever wear number 0.

He joined a bullpen that already featured Aroldis Chapman and Zack Britton. In his first season, Ottavino put up a 1.90 ERA and helped the Yankees reach the playoffs. Hitters just couldn’t figure out his slider.

The shortened 2020 season was a different story. Ottavino struggled, and the Yankees used him less in key moments. His playoff performance that year didn’t help his case either.

After the 2020 season, the Yankees traded him to the Boston Red Sox. Most people saw this as a salary dump, and it brought his Yankees run to an underwhelming end.

New York Mets and Later Seasons

After a year with Boston, Ottavino signed with the New York Mets, bringing him back to his hometown. He seemed to find new life with the Mets, becoming a key late-inning arm for manager Buck Showalter.

In 2022, he put up some of the best numbers of his career, finishing with a 2.06 ERA. Not bad for a guy in his late 30s. That performance earned him another shot with the Mets for the 2023 season.

During this period, Ottavino’s salary hit $7.75 million, which shows teams still valued his experience and ability. He adjusted his pitching style as he got older, showing off his baseball smarts.

He kept hitters guessing with his slider and mixed in a sinker and four-seamer. His delivery, with its little hesitation and funky arm angle, made him tough to pick up.

Playoff Performances and World Series Runs

Ottavino has had his share of playoff ups and downs. With the Rockies, he pitched in the 2017 Wild Card game but didn’t have his best stuff.

In 2019 with the Yankees, he had some great outings in the playoffs, like a perfect inning with two strikeouts in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Twins. He showed he could handle the postseason spotlight.

But the 2020 playoffs were rough. Command issues led the Yankees to use him less in big spots. That probably played a role in their decision to trade him.

With the Mets, Ottavino provided reliable relief during the 2022 Wild Card series. The team didn’t advance, but his experience in high-pressure spots made him valuable, even though he hasn’t pitched in a World Series yet.

Contract History and Financial Impact

Adam Ottavino’s career has included contracts with several teams, each reflecting his value as a reliable bullpen arm. His earnings from the Yankees, Red Sox, and Mets have built up his sizable net worth.

Notable Contracts and Negotiations

Ottavino landed his biggest deal in January 2019, when he signed a three-year, $27 million contract with the New York Yankees. That deal also made him the first player in Yankees history to wear number 0.

He earned that payday after building his reputation with the Colorado Rockies. The Yankees deal paid him about $9 million a year, which is pretty solid for a reliever.

After leaving the Yankees, Ottavino kept finding good contracts, even as he got older. Teams still wanted his experience and reliability, which isn’t always the case for relievers in their mid-to-late 30s.

Free Agency and Signing Decisions

Ottavino has hit free agency a few times and usually managed to land favorable contracts. Most recently, he returned to the Mets on a one-year, $4.5 million deal for 2024. That included a $500,000 signing bonus and a $4 million salary.

Before that, he signed a two-year, $14.5 million contract with the Mets, averaging $7.25 million a year. Lately, he’s gone for shorter deals, keeping his options open while still making good money.

His free agency choices have balanced salary, team competitiveness, and location. Coming back to the Mets made sense—he likes pitching in New York, and owner Steve Cohen has shown he’s willing to spend on bullpen help.

Salary Arbitration and Luxury Tax Implications

Ottavino has never had to go through a salary arbitration hearing. He and his teams have always reached deals before the deadline, which says a lot about his consistency and his agent’s negotiating skills.

By May 2025, Ottavino’s career earnings will be close to $57 million. That puts him among the more financially successful relievers of his era. Some of his contracts, especially with the Yankees, had luxury tax implications for his teams.

The Mets, with Steve Cohen at the helm, haven’t worried much about the luxury tax. That’s given them the freedom to pay for steady relievers like Ottavino. His reliability has made the investment worthwhile, even with the tax in play.

Net Worth and Earnings

Adam Ottavino has built a comfortable financial cushion through his baseball contracts, performance bonuses, and even some business ventures outside the game. His financial portfolio shows both his staying power in baseball and his smart decisions off the field.

Career Earnings Overview

Ottavino’s time in pro baseball has paid off—his net worth sits at about $56.7 million. He started building that wealth after being drafted in the first round by the Cardinals back in 2006.

He’s signed several big contracts, including a three-year, $27 million deal with the Yankees in 2019. That was the peak of his annual earnings.

More recently, Ottavino agreed to a two-year, $14.5 million contract for 2023-2024, averaging $7.25 million per year. For 2024, he’s playing on a one-year, $4.5 million deal.

Throughout his career, Ottavino has managed to avoid arbitration by signing contracts that match his value as a go-to bullpen guy.

Endorsements and Off-Field Revenue

Ottavino doesn’t just rely on his baseball salary—he’s found ways to boost his income with endorsement deals and business ventures. You won’t see him in every commercial break like some superstars, but he’s kept steady partnerships with baseball equipment brands.

He’s also shown some real business smarts by investing in a high-tech pitching facility in New York City. Not only does he use it for his own workouts, but the place brings in extra revenue by running training programs for up-and-coming pitchers.

Even though his social media following isn’t massive, Ottavino has landed a few sponsored content gigs and brand partnerships. At 6’5″ and 246 pounds, his size alone makes him pretty marketable for certain brands.

He’s also gotten involved with baseball camps and clinics. These let him give back to the community and, honestly, provide a nice supplement to his baseball income.

Pitching Style and On-Field Performance

Adam Ottavino has carved out a reputation as one of baseball’s most unique relievers. His delivery and pitch mix stand out, and he’s built a career on being reliable in high-pressure moments.

Signature Pitches and Fastball Analysis

Ottavino’s bread and butter is that wicked slider—tons of horizontal movement, and it just leaves hitters guessing. He throws it from a three-quarter arm slot, usually in the low 80s mph, and backs it up with a mid-90s fastball.

What really makes him tricky is the high spin rate on his breaking stuff. That slider moves in weird ways and gets a lot of swings and misses, plus a bunch of weak contact.

He mixes in a cutter and a sinker too, so he’s got plenty of tools to attack both righties and lefties. Some folks have even compared his pitch manipulation to the best in the game.

“My slider is my bread and butter,” Ottavino once said. “But I need all my pitches working together to keep hitters guessing.”

Reliever Role and Bullpen Contributions

Most of the time, Ottavino has handled setup duties, but he’s stepped in as a closer when needed. Managers like having him around because he can handle just about any high-leverage situation.

With the Yankees in 2019 and 2020, he put up a 2.76 ERA over 97 appearances. That run cemented his reputation as a go-to reliever, especially with his knack for strikeouts when runners are on base.

Ottavino has stayed pretty durable, often pitching in 60 or more games a season when he’s healthy. Teams rely on that kind of consistency in the bullpen.

He’s bounced around a few organizations and always seems to adapt, whether he’s in middle relief, setting up, or closing games.

Statistical Achievements and Metrics

Ottavino has racked up some impressive stats, especially when it comes to strikeouts. His career K/9 usually sits above 10.0, which puts him among the better strikeout relievers of his time.

In his best years, he’s kept his ERA under 3.00 and done a good job limiting home runs. His 2018 season with Colorado jumps out—he finished with a 2.43 ERA, and that’s at Coors Field, of all places.

Key career stats:

Advanced metrics like FIP and hard-hit percentage often paint Ottavino in an even better light than the basic stats.

High-Leverage Situations and Closer Role

Ottavino seems to thrive when the pressure’s on. He’s at his best in close games, especially facing the toughest hitters late.

Even though he’s mostly set up, he’s picked up a fair share of saves when managers have handed him the ninth. He’s just flexible like that.

When you look at his numbers in clutch spots, you see why managers trust him:

• He holds hitters to a lower average with runners in scoring position
• His strikeout rates jump in late and close games
• He strands inherited runners at a solid clip

Ottavino’s mental approach really shines in those moments. “I try to slow the game down and focus on executing one pitch at a time,” he said after a big outing in 2022.

Influence, Legacy, and Notable Associations

Adam Ottavino has made his mark with a unique pitching style, a knack for mentoring younger relievers, and a certain resilience that’s hard not to respect. His slider-heavy approach has actually influenced pitching trends around the league, and his bounce-back stories have inspired plenty of guys facing setbacks.

Impact on Teammates and Teams

Ottavino’s presence in the bullpen has lifted team performance, both through his pitching and his willingness to mentor. When he was with the Yankees, he helped form a dominant relief group alongside Aroldis Chapman, Zach Britton, and Chad Green. That 2019 bullpen was just nasty.

He’s always been a bit of a pitching nerd, digging into pitch design and advanced stats. Ottavino shares that knowledge with younger relievers, helping them sharpen their own skills.

With the Mets, he brought a steady veteran vibe next to Seth Lugo and Trevor May. His prep routines and game-planning have become templates for guys coming up.

Teammates like DJ LeMahieu often talk about Ottavino’s competitive edge and baseball IQ, saying those qualities matter just as much as his numbers.

Comparison with Other Relievers

Ottavino’s style really stands out compared to guys like Craig Kimbrel or Kenley Jansen. While those closers lean on overpowering fastballs, Ottavino built his career around a slider that just messes with hitters.

He throws his slider more than almost anyone, which gives him a different look than balanced relievers like David Robertson or Dellin Betances.

Career Comparison with Elite Relievers (2010-2024)

Ottavino hasn’t just stuck with one style. He’s evolved from trying to overpower hitters to focusing on movement and deception, especially after his velocity dipped a bit. That kind of adaptability isn’t as common as you’d think.

Challenges, Injuries, and Comebacks

Ottavino’s career really shows off his resilience, especially after he came back from Tommy John surgery in 2015. Instead of letting that setback slow him down, he reinvented his pitching style and started focusing more on movement than pure speed.

He’s had some rough patches, for sure. The 2020 playoffs with the Yankees stand out, when he caught a lot of criticism after tough games against stars like Bryce Harper.

But honestly, Ottavino took those struggles and used them to tweak his mental approach. That’s not something every pitcher manages to do.

When the Yankees traded him to the Baltimore Orioles mainly for salary reasons, Ottavino didn’t just accept his fate. He teamed up with pitching coaches and started working on new pitch sequencing.

Eventually, he landed with the Mets on a one-year, $4.5 million contract. That deal proved he still brought real value to the table.

He’s managed to adapt to all sorts of roles, from setup man to occasional closer. That flexibility has kept him effective well into his late 30s.

Honestly, not many relievers from his draft class can say the same.