NL East rival signs another former NY Mets player, this one feels personal

They won’t be super pests this year. They might be able to steal a few games. The Washington Nationals have quietly added a couple of memorable New York Mets relievers this offseason on minor league deals. Trevor Gott and Bryce Montes de Oca will join them in camp. The latest ex-Mets pitcher with a shot at making their ball club is Drew Smith. He has agreed to a minor league deal with them.

Unlike Gott who feels a bit forgotten and Montes de Oca whose release from the Mets was largely due to his inability to stay healthy, there’s something personal there with Smith. He was signed last offseason to a one-year deal with an option for a second year. The Mets paid him to rehab off of Tommy John surgery only to decline his option for 2026 back in November.

After being released, there was speculation by some his health was what led to the non-tender. Smith reposted and highlighted those words on Instagram with a big fat “False” over top of it. Smith probably never thought he’d get released after getting paid to rehab without ever getting a fair chance to actually try to make the team. Now he’ll get an opportunity within the NL East.

The Nationals have been a subtle pain for the Mets this offseason

In addition to the guys they signed, the Nationals also picked up Richard Lovelady off of waivers. The Mets signed him to a split contract hoping they could pass him through waivers and stash the lefty in the minors once DFA’d. They might’ve saved us from some grief after all. Give me whatever Bryan Hudson can do over a repeat of Lovelady 8 times a week, twice on Sundays.

Gott is pretty much a non-factor. You’re kidding yourself if you didn’t at least have some immediate thought of Montes de Oca finally staying healthy and making an impact of any magnitude with the Nationals this year. We don’t blame the Mets for moving on and yet that little voice of “why give up now?” exists between all of our ears.

Smith was one of two notable players the Mets signed last offseason with the knowledge he’d never throw a ball in a game in 2025. Adbert Alzolay was the other. The big difference is Smith was on a major league contract. He’d have to make the Mets roster. A change of direction, or at least a different vision for what’s next, seems to be the explanation here. Picking up his option and not having the available space in 2026 would have been a waste of money. His current health status at the end of the 2025 season might not have been an issue as much as the questions that’ll come in 2026 when he returns to the field.

Based on the way things have played out this offseason, it’s difficult to see too many scenarios where the Mets would actually have a dedicated role for Smith. They have three bullpen spots up for grabs currently. Smith would have a tough time beating any of the top contenders out for a role, especially without the minor league options left.

This is going to go one of two ways. Smith either makes the Nationals and cuts down Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto back-to-back with strikeouts or his one and only appearance against the Mets this year ends before three outs are recorded after Austin Barnes hits a clutch home run against him.