3) Richard Lovelady
Brought back for another round, Richard Lovelady’s split contract is designed so he’ll end up off of the 40-man roster. The Mets will pay him a higher than average minor league salary in hopes other teams will pass on him through waivers and he’ll accept a minor league assignment as well. It’s strategic and smart if it works out. If it doesn’t, which many believe it won’t with Lovelady, it’s just an added expense.
Lovelady had a 6.30 ERA in 10 games for the Mets last season. It was par for what he has been lately in his career. A 5.35 ERA overall, the lost positive is he finished the year with hitters going 4 for 23 against him. Of course, half of those hits were home runs.
Consider Lovelady protection in case of injury. The Mets are no strangers to random offseason ailments and players going down for lengthy periods after stretching the wrong way in spring training. Lovelady is security over the possibility of losing A.J. Minter and/or Brooks Raley. So far, the Mets have loaded up on southpaws this offseason even with Jose Castillo's recent departure.
We're probably going to see Lovelady in some capacity for the Mets next year. However, with his split contract, he's probably going to pitch his next game for the Mets.
