February 13: Smith’s signing is formal because Sny’s Joe DeMayo is formal. Right-leaning Christian ScottHe is also recovering from Tommy John’s surgery and transferring to 60-day IL with corresponding actions. Smith himself was then transferred to the 60-day IL as a corresponding move Pete Alonso Signed into formal.
February 12: Mets will expand their relationship with the longest-historic pitcher as they reportedly agreed to a one-year contract with the right-handed Drew Smithwhich contains club options for the 2026 season. Smith was performed from Tommy John/Internar Brace surgery, which he performed last July and will receive a 1mm salary in 2025. His club options are worth 2mm. MVP Sports customers can increase these totals with some incentives that have not been cancelled.
Smith, 31, has been playing in six major league seasons with the Mets. He has been the fixture in their late combo for the past four years, recording a 3.35 ERA of 3.35 ERA, a strikeout rate of 26.2% and a 10.2% walk rate at that time. Smith recorded 33 holds and five saves in 156 games, while only 4 blows and four saves during the period.
Smith’s surgery deflated in multiple ways. Not only did it lift him off the team’s grimace and OMG playoff season games, it also coincided with his first free agent journey. The healthy Smith could have obtained a simple candidate for a guaranteed multi-year contract at a decent annual rate. Most importantly, this is the second Tommy John program of his career. After his 2018 major league debut, he missed his 2019 campaign due to the same procedure.
Depending on how long the recovery process will take, Smith may at least be the Mets season and/or October option. Should he come back? He will join a relief group Edwin Diaz,,,,, AJ Minter,,,,, Ryne Stanek,,,,, Reed Garrett and Jose Bhutto.
Currently, once a deal is reached, Smith will soon be placed on the 60-day injury list. Technically, the Mets need to open a position for Smith before moving him to the 60-day IL, but it can be done by putting it Christian Scott (also recovered from Tommy John’s surgery) IL at 60 days. Smith may require additional signing, waiver claims or selecting a non-warehouse invitation in the 40-person lineup in the camp, which may move to 60 days himself.
Since the Mets are at the highest stage of luxury fines, Smith’s reunion will actually make them total about 2.1mm (salary 1mm plus 110% of the tax). The same tax will apply to any incentives he unlocks this year (next year, if the Mets are at the highest penalty level in 2026 again). It’s a club’s bucket drop, which is a cash salary at 330mm north and looking for about 110mm of tax on that amount.
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com first reported on the protocol and structure. Jon Heyman of the New York Post added details about margin money and options value.
