The New York Mets have begun stocking a potential 2021 roster in Syracuse by inking 11 minor league free agents.
They are:
RHP Oscar De La Cruz, 25, is 31-22 with a 3.45 ERA with 426 strikeouts in 103 minor league games, 76 starts. The 6-6, 250-pounder went 5-5 with a 3.64 ERA with 105 strikeouts in 2019 with Myrtle Beach (A) and Tennessee (AA). He will be invited to major league spring training.
Johneshwy Fargas, a 25-year-old outfielder, was part of the Mets 60-man player pool in 2020. Fargas has hit .255, with 69 doubles, 18 triples, 23 homers, 170 RBI and 235 stolen bases in seven minor league seasons with the San Francisco Giants organization from 2013-2019. He will be invited to major league spring training.
Infielder Jake Hager, 27, spent 2020 as part of the Mets 60-man player pool. Hager has hit .259 with 155 doubles, 49 homers, 346 RBI over eight minor league seasons. he will be invited to major league spring training.
RHP Harol González, 25, has spent six seasons in the Mets system. He is 33-39 with a 3.60 ERA in 113 games, 97 starts. The 6-0, 160-pounder was 12-4 with a 3.01 ERA in 25 games in 2019 with Syracuse (AAA) and Binghamton (AA). González will be invited to major league spring training.
Catcher Bruce Maxwell, 29, has spent three years in the majors with the Athletics (2016-2018). Maxwell was signed by the Mets on July 30, 2020 and was part of the 60-man player pool this summer. Maxwell had 22 doubles, five homers and 42 RBI with a .661 OPS in 127 major league games. He will be invited to major league spring training.
Infielder José Peraza, 26, had eight doubles, one triple, one RBI and eight RBI in 34 games with the Red Sox in 2020. The 6-0, 210-pounder has slashed .270/.310/.372 with 75 doubles, 14 triples, 29 homers, 162 RBI and 78 stolen bases in 554 major league games with the Dodgers, Reds and Red Sox. He will be invited to major league spring training.
Outfielder Mallex Smith, 27, appeared in 14 games with Seattle last year with two doubles and three RBI. In 2019, he led the American League with 46 stolen bases with the Mariners and led the AL with 10 triples in 2018. He has hit 63 doubles, 27 triples, 13 homers, 114 RBI with a .255 batting average in 442 major league games with the Braves, Rays and Mariners. Smith will be invited to major league spring training.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].