In a surprising turn of events, the New York Mets have signed former St. Louis Cardinals reliever Genesis Cabrera to a minor league contract with an invitation to Major League Spring Training. This move is certainly intriguing, especially given the fiery history between Cabrera and the Mets, stemming from a 2022 benches-clearing brawl with the Cardinals.
For those who may not remember, the Mets had been plunked at an alarming rate early in the 2022 season, and the tension boiled over during a game against the Cardinals in late April. After Mets’ J.D. Davis was hit by a pitch, Yoan Lopez retaliated by throwing high and inside to St. Louis’ star third baseman Nolan Arenado. This caused an all-out brawl, with Arenado and Cabrera both receiving suspensions for their roles in the altercation. It was one of the more dramatic scenes of that season, and seeing Cabrera now in Mets colors will certainly raise eyebrows.
However, the Mets seem to be putting the past behind them. With Lopez now long gone and Davis traded away in 2022, the lingering animosity from that skirmish seems to have faded. In fact, Cabrera’s signing could be seen as a strategic move to bolster the Mets’ bullpen, which currently lacks a clear-cut left-handed reliever.
Cabrera, a six-year veteran of MLB, has had his ups and downs. While he posted a solid 3.59 ERA in 2024 with the Toronto Blue Jays, his underlying metrics tell a different story. His 5.13 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) and 1.468 WHIP indicate that he may have been a bit lucky, and his strikeout rate dropped significantly, from 24.3% in 2023 to just 18.5% in 2024. With a 4.38 xERA (expected ERA), Cabrera’s performance last season was less than stellar.
That said, there’s still reason for optimism. Cabrera has been an effective reliever in the past, particularly with the Cardinals. His high-velocity fastball and ability to get outs in crucial situations made him a valuable asset in prior seasons. With the Mets struggling to fill their bullpen’s left-handed role, Cabrera could have a legitimate shot at making the Opening Day roster. He will likely compete for a spot with fellow southpaw Danny Young, and a strong Spring Training could see Cabrera securing a critical role in the Mets’ bullpen.
The signing is low-risk, given that it’s a minor league deal, but the potential rewards could be significant. As Mets fans know all too well, bullpen depth can make or break a season, and Cabrera’s past success suggests that there’s untapped potential here. If he can regain his form and consistency, the Mets will have a much-needed lefty to help balance out their relief corps.
Beyond the numbers, there’s an added layer of intrigue: Cabrera’s connection with New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone. While it’s unclear how significant that relationship will be moving forward, it does add an interesting wrinkle to Cabrera’s career as he looks to make an impact in the National League.
In the end, Cabrera’s return to New York is about more than just his on-field contributions. It’s a reminder of the fiery moments that can define a season—moments that, for better or worse, can come full circle. With the 2024 season approaching, Mets fans will be curious to see if Cabrera can rekindle his past form and live up to the potential that made him a highly-regarded arm in the bullpen. This move may just be the spark the Mets need to make their bullpen a force to be reckoned with in the coming season.
