The New York Mets announced on Monday that they claimed infielder/outfielder Eric Wagaman off waivers from the Minnesota Twins and optioned him to Triple-A Syracuse. The Twins had designated him for assignment last week to clear a 40-man roster spot for right-handed reliever Christian Roa, whom Minnesota claimed off waivers from the Houston Astros and assigned to Triple-A St. Paul.
The Twins acquired Wagaman from the Miami Marlins for minor-league reliever Kade Bragg last winter. When Wagaman joined the Twins' roster, it seemed he had a decent shot to play a platoon role for Minnesota this season. He has logged MLB innings at all four corner spots and hit southpaws at a .283/.321/.462 clip last year.
Unfortunately, Wagaman got off to an extremely slow start for St. Paul this season, slashing .159/.284/.254 in 74 plate appearances. Wagaman's poor performance with the Saints was enough for the Twins to decide he wasn't worth keeping on their 40-man roster.
Wagaman made his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Angels in 2024, posting 0.4 bWAR and an 87 OPS+ in 74 plate appearances. He played in 140 games with Miami last season, posting -0.4 bWAR and an 86 OPS+ in 514 plate appearances.
Mets' claim of Wagaman from Twins is a solid depth move
Wagman joins a Mets organization that is tied with the Philadelphia Phillies for the worst record in MLB (10-19) and has scored the fewest runs in the league. While the Mets are set at left field and third base with Juan Soto and Bo Bichette, respectively, Wagaman could join Tyrone Taylor, Brett Baty and Austin Slater in the right field mix. Wagaman's best position is first base, but New York is set there with Jorge Polanco, who is currently on the injured list with a wrist contusion, with Mark Vientos as the backup. It may take just one more injury to a corner infielder/outfielder for Wagaman to join the Mets' 26-man roster. While the Mets' claim of Wagaman, who has all three option years remaining, isn't the most exciting news for New York fans, it's a solid depth move.
Soto missed over two weeks this month due to a right calf strain. Bichette missed most of last year's postseason with the Toronto Blue Jays because of a left knee sprain. Given the recent injury history of Soto, Bichette and Polanco, it appears likely a roster spot will open up for Wagaman at some point this season.
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