3 late season NY Mets 40-man roster additions we never saw, what's next for each

Late in the 2026 season, the New York Mets actively added to their 40-man roster. Multiple waiver claims, David Stearns got a head start on possibly building the team’s depth for 2027.

Fully understanding how Stearns operates, there’s a good chance these players barely stick around into the offseason. Filling seats at the moment, the Stearns-led Mets have frequently sought out upgrades in all areas with players coming in and out quicker than they can find a good realtor in the area.

These three late season waiver claims came to the Mets in September of 2026. None played in the majors. What’s next for each of them?

Predicting what’s next for these three Mets depth pieces

INF Christian Cairo

Christian Cairo fits a very specific type of player Stearns always seems to go after. A career .226 hitter known for his glove, Cairo is a utility man we’re bound to see get a lot of playing time in spring training–or maybe summer training if a lockout is extended. The Mets picked him up from the Philadelphia Phillies before the regular season ended.

Luis De Los Santos was a player like this for the 2025 Mets. DFA’d in January, the Mets managed to pass him through waivers and keep him around. For Cairo, the same result is likely. The Mets have infield depth in the form of top prospects. They are better off with Cairo hanging around off of the 40-man roster as they make space for any Rule 5 eligible players. Expect him to be a preseason competitor to take a role for an injured player, but ultimately stashed on the farm.

SP Cameron Weston 

Starting pitcher Cameron Weston is inching toward never starting another game again. The Mets used him for 6.1 innings across 4 games in Syracuse. He allowed 2 hits, 1 run, and struck out 10 batters. It was a major change from the 7.89 ERA he had with the Baltimore Orioles in Triple-A.

What’s next for him? Because he already has the starting pitcher volume, he’s probably going to be one of those guys the Mets build up to be a longman/mop-up guy/3-innings starting pitching depth. A hallmark move of Stearns for guys who aren’t good enough starters but have enough talent to hang around, Weston’s 10 K/9 rate in his minor league career should have the Mets holding onto him and allowing a more extended period to work in relief exclusively.

RP Philip Abner 

A 6.75 ERA in 22.2 big league innings isn’t enough to get Philip Abner, 24, to hang up his cleats for good. However, it’s enough evidence that maybe there are some limitations. In Triple-A last season, the lefty had predictable splits with a .680 OPS against him from left-handed hitters. Righties tuned him up with an .805 OPS. Lefties batted .211 with 4 home runs in 102 plate appearances. It was a bit too good for him to even be considered a lefty specialist at the moment.

The most predictable outcome for Abner is he never pitches a game while representing the Mets. He doesn’t turn 25 until May, but that’s no reason to keep him around. He already split last year with two ball clubs, the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants. There are some signs of him being able to stick in the big leagues. The Mets need to ask if he’s worth occupying a 40-man roster spot. I’d say no.

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