3 NY Mets players stolen off waivers doing their part this season

3) Jose Azocar

One could call Jose Azocar the 26th man on the roster. The fleet-footed outfielder is 5 for 18 in his limited opportunities where he has been used often as a pinch runner and defensive replacement. Getting anything at all from him on offense feels like a bonus. Although his time with the club is likely going to be short-lived, he’s making the most of his opportunity.

Azocar was a waiver claim way back in early September of 2024. The Mets wanted a speedster off their bench for the final month of the season. Ineligible for the postseason because of when the Mets snagged him from the San Diego Padres post-August 31, he never got a chance to do anything at the major league level for them.

Kept throughout the spring as insurance against an injury to Jose Siri or Tyrone Taylor, Azocar was DFA’d but passed through waivers and remained with the organization. He won’t develop into much more than his current role as a fifth outfielder on the roster with the occasional spot start and a lot of ninth innings playing defense. Still, it’s players like him that can steal a run with their speed on the bases. With Luisangel Acuna pushing himself into a more regular role, a player like Azocar becomes more necessary.