Hughes agrees to 1-year deal with the Mets

NEW YORK — Sinkerballing reliever Jared Hughes and the New York Mets agreed Tuesday to a $700,000, one-year contract, a deal that amounts to $259,259 in prorated pay over the 60-game season.

Hughes can earn an additional $300,000 for days on the active roster: $50,000 each for 10 and 30, and $100,000 apiece for 45 and 60. The roster bonuses would not be prorated.

He had a 6.35 ERA over five appearances and 52⁄3 innings during spring training with Houston and was released March 19, a week after the exhibition season was stopped by the coronavirus pandemic. If he had been added to Houston’s 40-man roster, he would have received a one-year contract with a salary of $1.5 million while in the majors and $150,000 in the minors.

A right-hander who turns 35 on July 4, Hughes was 5-5 with a 4.04 ERA last season for Cincinnati and Philadelphia, which claimed him off waivers on Aug. 15. He struck out 54 and walked 27 in 71 1/3 innings, throwing his sinker on about 75% of his pitches. He also throws a 93 mph fastball, slider and changeup.

A native of Stamford raised in San Marino, Calif., Hughes made 417 appearances over the last six seasons, third behind Bryan Shaw (439) and Tony Watson (428). He has pitched for Pittsburgh (2011-16), Milwaukee (2017), Cincinnati (2018-19) and Philadelphia in nine major league seasons, going 29-24 with a 2.88 ERA and 350 strikeouts and 176 walks in 519 innings.

New York had an opening on its 40-man roster after putting Noah Syndergaard on the 45-day injured list while he recovers from Tommy John surgery. Hughes was added to the Mets’ 60-man player pool.

EMPLOYEE LAYOFFS

The Mets laid off 25 employees last week, a source with knowledge of the situation told the Daily News on Tuesday. None of the layoffs included members in baseball operations.

As the club looked to cut costs amid the coronavirus pandemic, some of the individuals who received pink slips included ticket office employees with 10-15 years of experience. Fans will not be permitted inside Citi Field during the 2020 season, but that is subject to change depending on the evolving COVID-19 situation.

Mets COO Jeff Wilpon told his remaining staff that if Major League Baseball can carry out its planned 60-game season, which is expected to kick off on July 23, then the club should be able to avoid further layoffs, according to Newsday. With rising COVID-19 cases across the country, the completion of the 2020 baseball season is not guaranteed.

The laid off Mets employees join a massive wave of over 45 million Americans who have filed for unemployment during the pandemic. Earlier this month, Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell warned that millions could be out of work for months to come because the economy still faced “significant uncertainties.”

The Mets’ current ownership group — led by CEO Fred Wilpon and his brother Jeff — is continuing its search for a prospective buyer to purchase the club. MLB approved seven groups, including one led by Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez, as qualified bidders for the Mets. The Wilpons hope to sell the team before the end of the calendar year.