Mets cut pair of veterans
The Mets released a pair of veterans and will not have to pay for a contract that an arbitrator ruled a player deserved.
Reliever Phil Bickford and first baseman Luke Voit are now free agents after they did not make the team out of camp, a setback that will especially matter for Bickford.
Bickford, a 28-year-old righty who came over from the Dodgers at the trade deadline last year, beat the Mets in an arbitration case in early February. His camp wanted $900,000, and the Mets countered with $815,000. An arbitrator sided with Bickford — who will not see his money.
In an odd rule of baseball’s collective bargaining agreement that was highlighted recently by the Giants cutting J.D. Davis, pre-arbitration settlements are guaranteed, while salaries decided by arbitration panels are not. Thus, Bickford will only earn termination pay from his days on the roster of about $218,000, a source said. If he had settled, he would have been entitled to the entire amount the sides settled upon.
Bickford struggled upon joining the Mets last year before adding a changeup and allowing one earned run in 10 2/₃ September innings. This spring, Bickford — part of a crowded bullpen competition until the Mets designated him for assignment on Saturday — allowed three earned runs in 4 2/₃ innings with seven strikeouts and no walks.
After Bickford cleared waivers, the Mets could have continued paying the $900,000 and outrighted him to Triple-A Syracuse. Instead, Bickford was cut.
The Voit decision was a bit more clear-cut after the slugger had a statistically poor spring. The 33-year-old, who was in camp on a minor league deal, went 4-for-34 (.118) with a home run, three walks and 14 strikeouts in the Grapefruit League.
J.D. Martinez was signed to be the designated hitter (once ready) and Zack Short and Joey Wendle will be backup infielders. At the moment, D.J. Stewart projects as the Opening Day DH and was brought to New York with the club, though his spot is not official as the Mets search for other bats who shake loose of opposing teams.