The New York Mets have placed right-handed pitcher Cooper Criswell on waivers, which the Seattle Mariners promptly capitalized on by claiming him. This move came after the Mets designated Criswell for assignment on Wednesday following their trade acquisition of Freddy Peralta and Tobias Myers from the Milwaukee Brewers.
According to reports, the Mets and Mariners finalized a trade on Friday, enabling Criswell to head to Seattle while the Mets receive cash in return.
Criswell, who has five years of Major League Baseball experience, most recently played for the Boston Red Sox. He will remain on the Mariners’ 40-man roster. However, since he is out of options, he risks being exposed to waivers again if he does not secure a spot on the team after spring training.
Although Criswell has not exceeded 100 innings in a Major League season—his highest being 99 1/3—he possesses a career ERA of 4.48. His versatility as a potential spot starter or bulk reliever makes him an appealing asset for teams looking to bolster their pitching depth. In a limited role last season with Boston, he made a notable impact by pitching seven innings and allowing only a single run against the Houston Astros, in what was a critical outing.
Earlier in the offseason, Criswell inked a major league deal worth $800,000 with the Red Sox, which was primarily a safeguard against roster cuts. After being designated for assignment following a trade involving the Pittsburgh Pirates, he was claimed by the Mets on December 5. His tenure with the Mets was short-lived, lasting only 48 days.
As he transitions to the Mariners, Criswell will reunite with Rob Refsnyder, a former teammate in Boston, which could facilitate his acclimatization to the new environment during spring training. This promising opportunity reflects the Mariners’ commitment to enhancing their pitching lineup and could potentially yield positive results as they head into the new season.