The Mets have claimed left-handed reliever Brad Hand off waivers from the Blue Jays, reports MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo (Twitter thread). The Jays designated Hand for assignment earlier this week. Because he’s been acquired after Aug. 31, Hand would be ineligible for the Mets’ playoff roster, should the team qualify.
It proved to be a short stay in Toronto for Hand, who was acquired in a July 29th deal that sent catcher Riley Adams from Toronto to Washington. Hand had been in something of a slump with the Nats after a strong three-month start to the season and ultimately wasn’t able to turn the tide following a change of scenery. In 8 2/3 innings with the Jays, Hand yielded 10 runs (seven earned) on 13 hits and three walks with five strikeouts. Of those 13 knocks, three of them left the yard.
Hand is playing the season on a one-year, $10.5MM deal he signed with the Nationals in free agency. He’s still owed $1.75MM of that sum through season’s end, and by claiming him off waivers rather than letting him reach free agency and then attempting to sign him, the Mets are taking on the remainder of that salary.
Notably, the Mets had interest in Hand dating all the way back to the early stages of the 2020-21 offseason. Team president Sandy Alderson has gone on record to state that the team might have claimed Hand when the Indians placed him on waivers at the end of the 2020 campaign (in an effort to spare themselves the $1MM buyout on his $10MM club option). However, with the team’s ownership change not yet finalized, the Mets weren’t in a position to claim an eight-figure salary. Later in free agency, the Mets were reported to have made an offer similar to the $10.5MM deal Hand accepted from the division-rival Nationals.
That could have turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the Mets. Even setting aside Hand’s recent struggles, the Mets’ alternate course of action saw the team instead turn to sign southpaw Aaron Loup, who has pitched to a stellar 1.20 ERA through 45 innings while playing on a one-year, $3MM deal.
The Mets now have both lefties, and they’ll hope for a rebound for Hand. It’d likely be expecting too much to seek a return to his halcyon days with the Padres, when he pitched to a 2.62 ERA with a 33 percent strikeout rate in 240 1/3 innings from 2016-18. However, Hand pitched to a mid-2.00s ERA with the Nats up through the season’s first few months — albeit with a greatly diminished 23 percent strikeout rate and much more questionable marks from fielding-independent metrics than during his San Diego peak.
There’s not much risk for the Mets in claiming Hand, other than being out a bit of money for a player who has been struggling immensely in recent weeks. If Hand can return to form, he can help fuel an improbable postseason push and perhaps set himself up more nicely for his forthcoming return to the free-agent market. If the struggles persist, the Mets were already a long shot for the playoffs anyhow. They’re five games out of the division lead and five and a half back in the Wild Card hunt, but team president Sandy Alderson is still willing to make some moves and Cohen is still willing to spend some money to try to close that gap.
Noah Daube-Valois
They shouldn’t need to worry about him not qualifying for the playoffs
WtfMate
They’ve really been dealt a Hand
tstats
MetsFan22, thoughts?
sufferforsnakes
Ooh, I need to make some popcorn for this!
MarlinsFanBase
I’m pulling up my chair with my popcorn and a beverage too.
MasterShake
We’ll get ‘em next year when our 300WAR IL is healthy
nmendoza7
They aren’t making the playoffs and Hand isn’t even eligible now anyway, pointless hype.
bhambrave
Not hype, but it did happen. Maybe they were trying to keep the Braves or the Phillies from getting him?
thickiedon
Why would the Mets make a deal to keep a DFA’d player from going to any team? They’re not contending
marcfrombrooklyn
Yeah, no one has ever blown a five game lead with this little left in the season..
MarlinsFanBase
The Mets did….See 2007…and 2008. Okay, not that big in 2008, but I love the memories of those two years back to back.
youngTank15
I’m pretty sure the Braves and chicken and beer red sox in 2011 did.
alproof
You know little. See Phillies 1964, Dodgers ‘51, Mets ‘07
MasterShake
Lol @marlins you crack me up
phenomenalajs
There’s no hype to it. He could have involvement in a stretch run if they make a push, as unlikely as that may be. Hembree has pitched decently since they claimed him after the Reds released him.
For the Mets to have any realistic shot, they need to take 10+ in this stretch against the Nats and Marlins. Ironically, they have about as much of a shot at the 2nd wildcard as they do at the division. If they somehow get it and have deGrom ready to go, all bets are off.
dodger1958
deGrom doesn’t have enough time to get ready to stretch for more than a few innings. Like Kershaw, who is already throwing. The vastly underperforming everyday line up has little to do with injuries.
Fan0Sports4
Not really, they need to gain 2 games in 27 days not a hard feat and sweep Atlanta in October.
5 games out with 30 to play (last 3 vs Atlanta)
They play Philly and are 3 behind them
So is it unlikely they come back of course. Is it a stretch to say they come back nope.
TradeAcuna
At least Hand proved to be in control under pressure unlike Chris Martin, who chokes under pressure. What an embarrassing series against the Dodgers. Just end the misery of the organization and collapse further in Sept.
WarkMohlers
Totally. Hand came to a team with wildcard hopes and really didn’t collapse under the pressure.
Holding opponents to a 350/390/620 slash while having a 12% k rate and over 7% walk rate shows how he really hits the ground running and doesn’t choke under pressure.
tux249
Good closer on a bad team lol
Ducky Buckin Fent
“Holding”
C-Daddy
@ITF
You sure complain a lot for a fan of a team that routinely makes the playoffs.
TradeAcuna
Participation awards are not worth celebrating especially if you continue to get embarrassed.
WarkMohlers
You keep getting embarrassed here but press on. A Sisyphean task indeed
TradeAcuna
Trust me, the insults don’t bother me. If anything, it just proves how delusional ppl here are.
WarkMohlers
That’s the spirit!
Appalachian_Outlaw
I’m quite happy with Atlanta being a perennial playoff contender. I’d be even happier if you found another team to root for, Ian. Maybe you’d be too?
WarkMohlers
I hope you’re happy. Martin was sent to the 10 day for elbow inflammation and Newcomb was called up.
If Newcomb pitches poorly it rests solely on your shoulders. You better not mess this up.
TradeAcuna
Martin can stay on the DL for all I care. He was the one who gave up the winning hit to the Dodgers in game 7 if I’m not mistaken. The guy chokes and has no use in high leverage outings.
FredMcGriff for the HOF
I don’t understand why Snitker doesn’t make Rich Rodriguez the closer.
MasterShake
Snit doesn’t understand it either
johnrealtime
A division pennant using a participation award..
johnrealtime
Isn’t *
CravenMoorehead
Good for him. He can schedule a vacation starting October 4th since he won’t have to worry about playing in the postseason one way or the other.
mattblaze13
If only they could claim a GM on the waiver wire
Monkey’s Uncle
I think that’s what got them into trouble in the first place.
AHH-Rox
Jeff Bridich is available. And probably sober.
phenomenalajs
Hand is not eligible for the postseason, but he is eligible for GM.
AshamedMethGoat
Start printing those WS tix, lol.
MetsFan22
Sucks that he won’t be eligible for postseason. Ik chances are against the Mets y’all don’t have to remind me. Injures happen.
RunDMC
Lindor was a star in smaller market. Now he can’t even hit north of 88 OPS+ in the bright lights of the Big Apple, but sure, injuries. Not a toxic environment that makes him boo his home fans and color his hair blue going Full 2007 Britney.
And please tell me NYM isn’t toxic same day as “acting GM” put on administrative leave, while his predecessor sits on MLB’s ineligible list.
Cosmo2
NY isn’t “toxic”.
Rsox
The Mets, maybe not. The City, absolutely
Cosmo2
Ok, yea, you got me there. I agree.
marcfrombrooklyn
There just are a lot of people who can’t hack and would rather live in sterile car suburbs with no character whatsoever. i fee sorry for all of you.
Cosmo2
I worked as a bouncer in the East Village for 10+ years. Believe me, I can hack it. Doesn’t change the fact that the city is a disgusting hole and getting worse by the day. You must be one of those folks who thinks aggressive panhandlers and junkies pooping on the sidewalk is “character”. What a joke.
WarkMohlers
“I didn’t sell out, I bought in”
If human poop on the streets and panhandlers get under your skin, you are 10 ply soft.
JoeBrady
You’re exaggerating. There are panhandlers in every large city, and NYC is largely poop-free.
Cosmo2
Meh. Try spending every night standing around avenue A until 4am then get back to me.
MarlinsFanBase
Lindor was a star in a smaller city and a weaker division.
BobGibsonFan
Injuries happen to every team… Mets just suck.
Deleted_User
LOL
WarkMohlers
Headline:
Mets give Hand job.
tstats
Their GM did what??
RunDMC
NY Post is inquiring if you’re available. Good work.
bbcalmc
Ya gota hand it to em
davidk1979
Think he’s washed but whatever
Lloyd Emerson
Well if he’s washed, he shouldn’t stink.
Cosmo2
Amazing how many small minded jerks with nothing else to do pop out of the woodworks to insult the Mets every move they make. Seems to be an odd, trollish obsession to have but I guess notoriety takes all forms. Anyway this move falls under the category of “why not?”
WarkMohlers
Since it isn’t my money I completely agree. However, from a business perspective, why claim him and assume his remaining salary when he has been terrible? Just seems odd.
Edit: I assume Toronto assumed the full salary after the trade, but if the Nats covered the majority of the balance I retract my statement
Cosmo2
Yea I assumed the money was covered somehow and extra relief arms are always useful even in a more or less lost season.
WarkMohlers
I couldn’t find anything mentioning the Nats covering salary, but I honestly didn’t look to much into it. If it is a lost season, I would prefer my team claiming low cost guys with at least some control beyond this year. Paying prorated 10.5 million (or some percentage of that total salary) doesn’t seem worthwhile for the limited innings he will pitch.
Bruin1012
He was claimed off waivers this was not a trade. The Mets are responsible for the pro-rated portion of the salary this year.
dodger1958
It is not like certain well known Mets fans don’t consistently “pop out of the woodwork” to bash the Dodgers every move. Happens to all teams.
fredziffel78
Totally agree.
Smacky
Prob wouldn’t be a thing if Mets fans weren’t so hateable on here.
Cosmo2
Dodger1958, Smacky: yea, unfortunately I see your points, but I don’t think it’s many Met fans that troll. Just a few. But, yea.
@DaOldDerbyBastard
Thank you Cosmo.
MarlinsFanBase
Speaking of which, what happened to @WhyNot? Totally disappeared since the Mets started their Flushing down.
Dan Hunter
I am a Mets fan since 1973 and I love you all.
Ducky Buckin Fent
I know it isn’t easy, @Cosmo. But try & rise above it.
Look. No team brings out the trolls/haters like the Yanks do. In our case, it is due to all the success we’ve had. & all the shattered fan base dreams we have been responsible for.
Which…well is different from what you guys are getting trolled for, now I think about it.
Cosmo2
Yea the Yankees get it as bad as anyone but all those rings probably make it easier. I’d love the Mets to poach Cashman. Does Gene Michael have a kid or a younger sibling we could call?
Ducky Buckin Fent
They do.
& it’s been a pretty good run for my lifetime. Comes with the territory, I guess. Which is not me implying it’s “enjoyable” or whatever.
Don’t see the Yanks parting ways with Cash. He takes a lot of heat on the board. From Yankee fans &…others.
But his record is Really Good:
22 seasons. Never finished without a winning record. 19 playoff appearances. 4 World Series wins & a couple spare AL pennants.
jdgoat
Stfu. The reason Yankee fans are trolled and are hated is because of self-righteous posts like this. No, you are not hated because of games that were won 100 years ago, as much as you wish that were the case.
Ducky Buckin Fent
Nah.
Little touchy are we?
I could care less what happened 100 years ago. But I *have* had the good fortune to see 7(!) Championship teams, plus a few AL Pennants on top of that. I can name a dozen teams whose hopes we’ve obliterated in that time span.
Probably yours too!
& it’s been decades since I haven’t seen my squad – at the very least – playing meaningful games in September, serious.
That’s a lot of success. Which leads to posts exactly like yours coincidentally.
So.
Have a good one, mon Cheri.
jdgoat
I’m still going to with condescension, but you can go with whatever you want to believe.
Ducky Buckin Fent
If that is what you are trying to find, then I am sure you will. Still doesn’t have anything to do with me though.
StudWinfield
@jdgoat “I feel your anger…let the hate flow though you!”
VonPurpleHayes
Honestly? I think it’s all because of one single poster. Everyone wants to Mets to fail because of one guy.
MarlinsFanBase
On this website, it’s because o one guy. Everywhere else, it’s all of the other Mets fans that are just like him.
dodger1958
Von not just because of one poster. But because of toxic ownership, and including the current guy. Look I thought George Steinbrenner and his dog and pony shows were pure garbage. Like McCourt (but in a different way). Or Marge Schott but in a different way. I just couldn’t follow the Dodgers when he owned them and gave up season seats which was in our family since 1970 because of him. Winning or not. I won’t patronize a team owned by a jerk. And make no mistake, Steve Cohen is doing some really really obnoxious things.
Cosmo2
He’s not doing anything worse than any other owner. He’s made a couple questionable moves that’s all.
VonPurpleHayes
Yea most of this billionaire owners aren’t exactly great people morally.
dodger1958
Von and Cosmo, whataboutism doesn’t wash here. What exactly have any of the Dodger owners done to embarrass the team or players? I missed those activities. Almost ten years.
Cosmo2
What has Cohen done as an owner that’s so embarrassing?
dodger1958
“It’s hard to understand how professional hitters can be this unproductive,” Cohen tweeted. “The best teams have a more disciplined approach. The slugging and OPS numbers don’t lie.”
[The tweet from Cohen came in the wake of the Mets’ fifth-straight loss ]
Now tell me when Dodger ownership ever publicly called out the team like that during a slump. Ridiculous.
Cosmo2
Why is that ridiculous? You may not like it, but ridiculous? He’s involved. I see nothing wrong with that. Some fans like an owner to occasionally acknowledge the frustration that many of us don’t have the platform to voice.
JoeBrady
The NYMs are almost dead last in scoring. It’s probably okay to say they are under-performing.
Or, put another way, would you prefer an owner like the Rox have, that keep saying everything is fine?
JoeBrady
dodger1958
I won’t patronize a team owned by a jerk.
===================================
I’m not sure this makes a lot of sense. Do you purchase all your other products based on the personality of the owners? I have no idea what type of person Michael Dell is, but I am still looking at one of his screens.
Cap & Crunch
Man this guy really runs circles around yalls heads
I miss the old days in here when people talked baseball and wern.t obsessed with trolls
Move on
jdgoat
Mets cant stop taking L’s right now
joeyrocafella
Lol “should they qualify”… sometimes I hate being a Mets fan
Eatdust666
LoL
Grade_1_teacher
There go the Mets, dumpster diving in Toronto’s trash heap again.
Cosmo2
Right because the Mets are the only team that picks up cheap roster filler throughout the season. Give me a break.
ab2804
more than 20 games to go and we are 5 from first place. we still have possibilities, this is an excellent acquisition
WtfMate
I hear Starlin Castro is available, seems on brand for the Mets
Cosmo2
I’d say give it a rest, but they DID sign Reyes so…
pinstripes17
And they resigned Familia too
Cosmo2
Yea, but Familia kinda just got drunk and freaked out. I don’t put it in the same level but what do I know?
WarkMohlers
The Mets also welcomed back Domingo German after he slapped his girlfriend at a Mets event. Then they traded for Chapman twice.
Glass houses pinstripes. Not a team specific problem, a major sports problem.
jdgoat
What is it with New York baseball teams and loving abusers?
WarkMohlers
Sorry I meant to say traded for Chapman and then signed him again. Potato Potahto
Rsox
That was the Yankees
WarkMohlers
That’s the joke big dawg.
Ducky Buckin Fent
It’s a lousy spot to be in as a fan too, @Mohlers. Ya know?
I firmly believe in second chances. At the same time, it’s not easy to root for these guys. Not hitting your girl seems like a pretty basic rule of manhood.
To your greater point: indeed the Yanks are as guilty of this stuff as anyone.
Also: how is the canoe project going?
WarkMohlers
Completely understand Ducky. Braves had Olivera, who they didn’t cut but used as salary offset (better than playing him I guess) and now Ozuna. It’s just funny how people are quick to associate the issue with a team. Reminds me of the old raiders or the “jailblazers” of the 90s. Piling on the popular/most recent instance while ignoring your team’s missteps.
Agreed, people should get a second chance (under most circumstances). But fandom seems to make that forgiveness very selective.
Edit: the canoe is getting there. Have to take a break from it until winter because it’s been too nice to be sweating to death inside when I could be enjoying the beautiful weather. Hope you are enjoying the outdoors as well.
dodger1958
Look as far as second chances, look at Chapman (who you brought up). The Dodgers and Reds had a trade, confirmed by the Reds GM locked up during the off-season. But just as it was going down the news about his shooting up his residence and choking out his girlfriend (children may even have been present) came out. The Dodgers passed even though they really wanted him. And Bauer won’t see Dodger stadium as a member of the team ever. Just some things are too much to forgive. The Dodgers have tolerance , even if it impacts winning. That is the culture they want and built. Others have different cultures.
dodger1958
Have no tolerance.
Ducky Buckin Fent
Yanks & Jints have certainly had their share of guys play for them that I would not let into my home. Sadly – yet truthfully – I find myself most irritated with the whole Aroldis Chapman Package when he’s having one of his truly spectacular meltdowns.
Fandumb.
I see posts on the board drawing lines in the sand in re baseball or “final straws” (i.e. “if the players strike…”).
I will never do that.
Yankee baseball & Giant football is just imprinted on me or something.
Awesome. So jealous.
Geese, marsh birds, & teal opened up (true to form I will mix in a just little trolling too). Threw a couple of my waterfowl kayaks on the rack Tuesday. I’ll have at least one up (mileage be dammed) until sometime in May. Even when I’m towing The Big Duck Boat.
Love this time of year.
Yanks & Braves ’21 World Series.
Yanks in 7. Chapman closes it out.
NatsPhils
World Series or Bust!
@DaOldDerbyBastard
Pick a team.
dlw0906
No surprise there.
possible donkey
I’m sure he is thrilled.
phenomenalajs
Wasn’t he placed on waivers before the deadline? If the Mets put a claim on him and accepted his remaining salary before waiting for him to clear waivers, why wouldn’t it be retroactive to when the claim was made? Since they were under .500 right before the deadline, they should have been in the middle of the pack to make a claim. I would think that could’ve happened before 8/31 ended.
dodger1958
Because he wasn’t officially a member of the Mets pheno until after the cut off date. There is no retroactive exception.
Metsin777
Thank god, they finally do something right. Brad Hand is the auto 8th inning guy
Rosstradamus
Wasting 1.75 Mill here, but Okay! Now I hope Hand gets RED-HOT down the stretch, best he’s thrown EVER, helps the Mets to an ‘Amazin’ comeback and improbable playoff berth….Then has to ride the pine for the One-and-Done postseason exit!!! 😉
Cosmo2
I don’t think they are picking up his salary. No more than pro-rated league minimum.
sdbaseballguy
You are correct, Cleveland is on the hook for his salary less league minimum
WarkMohlers
This is false. The Hand swap with Toronto was just a 1:1 trade. Toronto assumed the prorated amount for the 10.5 million and when the Mets claimed him they assumed the prorated portion of the 10.5 for the remainder of the year. Cleveland only had to pay the buyout on his 2021 option with them and were done with him.
Rosstradamus
3rd Paragraph
Cosmo2
Yep, look at that. Guess I should’ve read the whole article.
Weasel 2
Is it possible they are auditioning him for a role next season? A “good” Hand is valuable to a contending team. So, maybe they want to see him and then maybe they’ll have the inside track to retain him. Possibly?
Datashark
when a team flops so hard…
auditioning?! isn’t everyone.
metsfan104
OK….these comments are getting outta Hand.
high_upside
Mets could also use a hand at GM if he’s interested.
Datashark
“Hand would be ineligible for the Mets’ playoff roster, should the team qualify.” -quote from article
Ah — playoffs? Don’t talk about — playoffs? You kidding me? Playoffs? I just hope we can win a game! Another game.
-Mets fans
JoeBrady
I’m not sure why so many people are upset with this pickup. It’s probably a waste of money, but why would anyone care if Cohen flushes another $1.7M down the drain. And they have a favorable schedule over the next 9. It’s unlikely, but they could win 8-9.
Raps902420
Makes sense considering half the mets roster is former bluejays