3 NY Mets players added to the 40-man roster this offseason we're ready to box up

3) Cooper Criswell

A softer-tossing righty stolen from the Boston Red Sox, Cooper Criswell is a candidate to become a longman on the Mets roster this coming year. His situation is somewhat similar to Lovelady’s with a larger than expected contract handed to him. At $800K, it was expected he might pass through waivers. Nope. The Mets weren’t willing to let Boston get away with this one.

All of Criswell’s pitches clock in at an average under 90mph. He used a changeup lots last season. Batters make contact against him regularly.

Criswell’s 2024 season accounted for most of his big league time. He had a 4.08 ERA in 99.1 innings spread as a starter and reliever. He’s essentially in the role the Mets had intended for Paul Blackburn last year.

If Criswell was a holiday present, he’d be something practical like a shoe shining kit. The problem is the product is outdated for the modern man. Maybe the person who got this gift doesn’t even have feet. Criswell appears to be a fallback plan if something better never comes around. The Mets may be eyeing the same strategy the Red Sox failed to accomplish. Any amount of significant playing time from Criswell means the Mets relievers are hurt to begin the year, Stearns didn’t do his job at shoring up every aspect, or Criswell won a job out of camp. Don’t forget the sender’s address. Criswell is getting taped up and sent onto the waiver wire again at some point.