The New York Mets have been the focus of much attention this offseason as they look to make a splash in free agency, with plenty of money to spend on big-name players. However, they also understand the importance of building depth across their roster, and they’re taking steps to do just that.
This past weekend, the Mets signed infielder Donovan Walton to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training, and on Monday, they followed up by signing outfielder Rafael Ortega to a similar deal.
Ortega, 33, will be entering his second stint with the Mets after spending most of the 2023 season in the organization. He appeared in 30 games at Triple-A and played 47 games with the big league club. Last season, Ortega hit .219/.341/.272 with one home run and six stolen bases in 136 plate appearances.
The Mets hope Ortega regains his best form and sticks around as depth
Over his career, the left-handed hitter owns a .245/.322/.349 slash line in 1,301 big league plate appearances, dating back to his MLB debut with the Rockies in 2012, as noted by *MLB Trade Rumors*.
A versatile outfielder, Ortega is capable of playing all three outfield positions, though his primary experience is in center field. His most recent MLB action came with the Chicago White Sox in 2024, but it was a brief and disappointing stint, as he posted just a .248 OPS in 14 games.
At his best, Ortega brings solid versatility, the ability to get on base, and some pop with his bat and speed. His standout season came in 2021 with the Chicago Cubs, when he slashed .291/.360/.463 with 11 home runs, 12 stolen bases, and an .823 OPS over 103 games.
For the Mets, the best-case scenario is that Ortega can return to something close to that 2021 form and provide valuable depth. He’ll be competing for a spot on the active roster come Opening Day, either with the Mets or another team, making this signing a low-risk, high-reward move for the franchise.
