Another NY Mets project they should ditch after releasing Adbert Alzolay

The New York Mets made a smart move to sign Adbert Alzolay to a two-year minor league deal. Just because it was smart doesn’t mean it was going to work out. After another bad outing in AAA, he has been released.

Minor league deals are bound to fail more often than they work. Alzolay was a different breed than some others. He was riding high after a fantastic 2023 season and an injury in 2024 which required Tommy John surgery derailed his career. The Mets were hoping he’d recover, but with a 10.38 ERA, it didn’t appear as if the waiting would be worth it.

The Mets may not have necessarily released Alzolay exclusively due to performance. As MLB Trade Rumors speculated, an opt out in his contract may have been one of the additional reasons. The team made the opposite move with Jefry Yan, adding him to their 40-man roster and reassigning him to the minors. The purpose is speculated to be a move to prevent him from using an opt-out in his contract.

Meanwhile, another Mets project continues to sit on the 40-man roster not doing anything but occupying space. You’ll remember him from multiple disastrous outings last year, Alex Carrillo.

Alex Carrillo is the next Mets project to ditch

Carrillo hasn’t pitched for a month now due to injury. If the Mets are keeping him around out of the goodness of their hearts because it’ll do him a favor financially, good on them. Emotionally, they should have zero attachment to ever getting him to work.

His best month was in May when he posted a 4.50 ERA. A 2.00 WHIP with a strikeout per inning, Carrillo has represented the style of pitcher the David Stearns led Mets gush over a little too much. His command is bad with strikeout numbers standing out in a good way.

In 21 innings total for Syracuse, Carrillo has a 5.57 ERA and unacceptable 26 walks. With it has come 31 strikeouts and a 2.09 WHIP on the year.

Carrillo popped up in the second half of the 2025 Mets season by blowing the first game out of the break against the Cincinnati Reds. He made only 3 appearances, gave up at least a run in each, and left the 2025 campaign with a 13.50 ERA. It was a minimal showing but with the struggles in Triple-A this season and current injury, you’re better off holding your breath for a Guns N Roses reunion with the original lineup than Carrillo ever becoming an effective major leaguer for the Mets.

Things become “different” for the Mets once they pass the trade deadline. Buyers will have to ditch dead weight. The Mets, who appear to be sellers, will have more room than ever before to allow projects like him to remain.

Despite not pitching since June 2, Carillo is right there among the most frequently used relievers for the Syracuse club. By comparison, only Jonathan Pintaro has been any better. Carrillo hasn’t earned even a consideration for a promotion later this year if he gets healthy. Yet, because the Mets are sure to dump several players in trades, he might linger on.

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