Mets Claim Drew Romo Off Waivers, Designate Brandon Waddell

The New York Mets have shuffled the edges of their roster again. This time, they’re prioritizing long-term catching depth over a left-handed bullpen arm.

They claimed former top prospect Drew Romo off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles and designated Brandon Waddell for assignment. The Mets are betting on upside behind the plate and hoping their pitching depth can handle the loss of a serviceable reliever.

Mets Add Former Top Prospect Drew Romo to Catching Mix

The Mets’ move to claim Drew Romo is about both roster flexibility and potential. Romo, 24, still carries the pedigree of a former first-round pick and top-100 prospect, though his bat hasn’t caught up to his glove in the majors.

Drafted No. 35 overall by the Colorado Rockies in 2020, Romo came into pro ball with a reputation as a polished defensive catcher. His receiving, framing, game-calling, and strong, accurate arm have always stood out, even if his offense needs time to catch up.

Defensive Strengths vs. Offensive Questions

Romo’s glove is still the core of his value. Scouts and evaluators praise his ability to control the running game and manage a pitching staff—skills that matter to a Mets team relying on young arms and high-expectation starters.

Offensively, things get murky. Romo’s strikeout rate jumped from 17.8% in 2024 to 25.8% in 2025 in the minors, and that spike in whiffs has chipped away at his offensive profile, even though his raw Triple-A numbers look decent at a glance.

Triple-A Production Masks Recent Slide

Over three Triple-A seasons, Romo has put up a .286/.337/.466 slash line. On paper, that looks like a capable offensive catcher with some pop.

But the Pacific Coast League is hitter-friendly, so those numbers lose some shine. In 2025, Romo’s offensive output graded out about 25% below league average after adjusting for the PCL environment. That’s not great for a bat-first player—but Romo isn’t one. His defense keeps his floor higher, especially as a backup or in a timeshare role.

Major League Growing Pains

Romo’s first taste of the big leagues has been rough. In just 56 plate appearances, he’s hit .167/.196/.222 and struck out at a staggering 37.5% clip.

That’s a tiny sample, but it shows how far his bat has to go against big-league pitching. The Mets aren’t bringing him in to be a middle-of-the-order threat—they want a defensively gifted, optionable catcher who can grow behind established big leaguers.

How Romo Fits Behind Francisco Alvarez and Luis Torrens

For the Mets, this move is about roster construction too. Francisco Alvarez is the starter, Luis Torrens handles backup duties, and Romo becomes a depth piece—maybe a pretty valuable one.

Romo still has two minor league option years left, so the club can move him between Triple-A and the majors as needed. That’s pretty useful.

Depth, Flexibility, and Long-Term Upside

Romo gives the Mets a defensively strong third catcher in the system and protects them if Alvarez or Torrens gets hurt. They can buy development time for Romo without risking him on waivers.

If Romo’s bat improves even a little, he could be an above-average backup or a defensively driven timeshare catcher. If it doesn’t, he still offers value as emergency depth on a contending roster. Not every move has to be flashy, right?

Brandon Waddell Designated for Assignment

To make room for Romo on the 40-man roster, the Mets designated veteran left-hander Brandon Waddell for assignment. It’s a reminder of how unforgiving things get for pitchers on the fringe without options.

Waddell, 31, returned to Major League Baseball in 2025 after three years in Korea. He delivered what, on the surface, was a solid performance for New York.

Surface Results vs. Underlying Metrics

Over 31 1/3 innings with the Mets, Waddell posted a tidy 3.45 ERA. That’s usually enough to keep a lefty reliever on a big league staff.

But the Mets clearly looked past ERA. Waddell’s low strikeout rate and elevated walk rate painted a more fragile picture. Without swing-and-miss stuff or sharp command, his margin for error was slim, especially in late-game spots.

What’s Next for Waddell?

Since Waddell is out of minor league options, the Mets can’t just send him to Triple-A. Now, he’ll either be:

Maybe a club looking for left-handed depth and willing to overlook the peripherals will take a chance. After all, he did adapt well overseas and showed flashes in the big leagues.

Why This Move Matters for the Mets

This transaction really shows how teams juggle their rosters these days. The Mets are giving up Waddell, a low-strikeout reliever, to get Romo—a catcher with some pedigree and team control.

Over a long season, clubs have to weigh current performance against future upside. By bringing in Romo, the Mets have shored up a thin, crucial spot on the roster.

They’re betting that a strong defensive catcher with some room to grow is a better long-term play than hanging onto a lefty reliever who’s already over 30.

 
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