NY Mets sign former Brewers minor leaguer, continue a subtle theme of the week

The New York Mets added to their depth with the addition of Zach Peek. A 27-year-old who has only dabbled in Double-A, there isn’t a whole lot to know about him that’ll pique your interest.

What he does do is continue a theme for the Mets from earlier in the week. Wednesday’s Rule 5 Draft had the Mets seeking out a couple of older minor leaguers. They passed on the major league portion, but chose to add Justin Armbruester (27), Aaron Rozek (30), and Matt “The Outlier” Turner (26). Late 20’s and no MLB experience isn’t unusual for minor league free agents.

Peek, oddly enough, comes from the Milwaukee Brewers who took him in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 Draft last year. After a successful stint in High-A, he saw his numbers decline in his second straight tour in Double-A. A 3.97 ERA in 45.1 innings was enough for the Brewers to move on.

The Mets continue to enter the arms race to find whatever gems they can

It’s a bit ironic in some ways that the Mets signed Peek because the first player taken in the minor league part of the Rule 5 Draft was TJ Shook, a guy the Mets acquired via trade with Milwaukee. They’ve essentially replaced him in the minors as Shook heads to the Colorado Rockies organization where he’ll hold his breath on the first pitch he may throw in the majors.

Shook had an excellent 2.34 ERA in Double-A last year. At 27, the age when musicians become known for something other than their artistry, the Mets were willing to leave him unprotected and probably because they had too many others they felt had a better future.

David Stearns has regularly plucked from the Brewers even when it’s for players he had no connection with from his time in Milwaukee. Never one to pass on an opportunity to add a pitcher of any ability, Peek is one of a multitude of outsiders the Mets have already signed this offseason to minor league contracts. Robert Stock, Carl Edwards Jr., Nick Burdi, Joe Jacques, and Anderson Severino are some of the previous ones already known. There’s also Joey Gerber who came in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays for cash.

Some holdovers in the same category have stuck with the Mets thus far. Alex Carrillo being one of the more frustrating ones, Brandon Waddell and Justin Hagenman are another pair already on the 40-man roster.

The Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz negotiations have headlined the Mets offseason, but they haven’t gotten away from the smaller moves. So far, the Mets haven’t reaped the rewards in full of any of these kinds of additions. It’s the mid-tier where Stearns has thrived by taking chances on proven big leaguers who needed to come into the right situation. Throw enough darts at the board, maybe one sticks.