Latest NY Mets free agent signing can prove to be very useful

Early on in spring training, all the headlines surrounding the New York Mets have to do with the health of their starting pitching. With injuries to Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea, the Mets' pitching depth is already being tested. Instead of guys like Tylor Megill and Griffin Canning fighting for the last rotation spot, they're locked to making the Opening Day roster.

With their depth being tested and their rotation being questioned, David Streans quickly brought in some reinforcements. It was announced this morning that the Mets have agreed to a minor league contract with Jose Urena, with an invite to spring training. This is a move that will help the Mets in many ways.

How the Jose Urena signing helps the Mets

Urena spent the 2024 season with the Texas Rangers, mainly used as a reliever. In 33 appearances, he pitched to a 3.80 ERA over 109 innings with 70 strikeouts to 39 walks, a 1.321 WHIP, and an ERA+ of 104. While Urena was primarily a bullpen arm, he made eight starts last season for Texas. In his 44.1 innings as a starter, he pitched to an ERA of 5.20 with 26 strikeouts to 13 walks.

Essentially, Urena was the Rangers' swingman in 2024, a role he's become accustomed to over his ten seasons in the MLB. In seven of his ten big league seasons, he appeared seasons as both a starter and a reliever. He's also been a decent pitcher despite not having a permanent role, having a career ERA of 4.76 over 948.1 innings, with seasons of 635 strikeouts to 354 walks, a 1.401 WHIP, and an ERA+ of 86.

Having a pitcher who can be an effective starter and reliever is a massive help for the Mets. As mentioned earlier, many concerns exist with the Mets starting pitching heading into 2025. If Urena can pitch well in spring, he can take that final rotation spot and hold down the fort until Manaea is healthy. Once the pitching is healthy, the Mets can be creative with Urena. They can move him to the bullpen and have him be a reliever or send him back to Triple-A Syracuse and have him continue to be a starter.

The swingman has become a critical piece for MLB teams. Just look at the 2022 Mets and the importance of Trevor Williams. You can make the argument that Williams was one of the impactful pieces for that Mets roster. Over his 30 appearances, which included nine starts, he pitched 89.2 innings to an ERA of 3.21 with 84 strikeouts to 23 walks, a 1.227 WHIP, and an ERA+ of 120. Whether it was him making spot starts or coming in relief, Williams gave the Mets quality innings that helped them get through tough times.

It's unfair to expect Urena to have the same production as Williams. However, there's no reason he can't play a similar role. If he can have a good showing during spring training, the Mets will have a reliable pitcher they can count on to pitch in any situation. This is a luxury for teams to have in their organizational depth.