Latest NY Mets signing can be this year's Chris Devenski

The New York Mets have recently made a notable minor league signing, adding veteran right-hander Carl Edwards Jr. on a non-guaranteed deal with an invite to Spring Training. The right-handed reliever could be similar to what Chris Devenski was to the Mets this past season, providing a solid depth option and potentially some solid innings in the Major Leagues if the need arises.

Edwards is best known for his time with the Chicago Cubs in the mid-to-late 2010s. From 2015 through 2019, Edwards owned a 3.30 ERA, with an outstanding 33.2% strikeout rate, and 0.77 HR/9 ratio when he suited up for Chicago. Walks were his kryptonite, as he dished out a free pass 13.6% free pass percentage. Edwards was a key member of the Cubs’ bullpen during their curse-breaking 2016 season, tossing 36 innings out of their pen during the regular season, then 6.1 more frames during their World Series-winning run.

However, since the Cubs parted ways with Edwards partially through the 2019 season, he has bounced all around the league. He has appeared in games for the San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, Atlanta Braves, Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals, and, most recently, the LA Angels and Texas Rangers this past season. He tossed just six innings in the Major Leagues in 2025 and pitched at both the Rangers’ and Angels’ Triple-A affiliates, along with the Mexican League. 

Carl Edwards Jr. could be what Chris Devenski was to the Mets in 2025

Edwards had a solid 4.41 ERA over 50.2 innings in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League while striking out over a quarter of opponents with a 25.8% K%, and a surprisingly solid 7.2% walk rate. He also pitched 74.2 innings in the Mexican League, with a 3.38 ERA, a 7.6% walk rate, but a K% of only 18.9%. Interestingly, Edwards was regularly used as a starting pitcher, something he hasn’t been since the early-2010s, when he was still a top prospect.

Like Edwards, Devenski was a key reliever to a World Series-winning club in the mid-to-late-2010s with the Houston Astros. He finished fourth place in Rookie of the Year voting in 2016, before becoming an All-Star in 2017, tossing 189 innings between the two years with a 2.38 ERA, 28.2% K%, and 6.4% BB%.

While Devenski hasn’t reached that peak since then, he has stuck around the league, suiting up for game for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Philadelphia Phillies, LA Angels, Tampa Bay Rays, and the Mets this past season. The Mets originally signed Devenski in October 2024 before releasing him in late July, before re-upping on another minor league contract. Devenski spent most of 2025 at Triple-A Syracuse, but made a brief (and strong) cameo in the Major Leagues for the Mets. In 16.2 innings, the right-hander allowed only four earned runs, one home run, five free passes, and struck out 14.

Edwards may only be a depth addition for the Mets, but he is one with a solid resume. Plus, he may provide the Mets with some solid innings in the Major Leagues in 2026. Devenski was signed with a similar purpose in mind, and gave the Mets 16.2 innings with a 2.16 ERA, which is a lot more than most depth additions do. Hopefully, that’s the sort of signing Edwards ends up being.