With their corner infield positions influx, pending the outcome of Pete Alonso‘s free agency, the Mets announced the signing of free agent Jared Young to a one-year major league contract on Monday. According to Will Sammon of The Athletic, it is a split deal with a seven-figure upside.
Young, 29, split the 2024 season between the Memphis Redbirds (the St. Louis Cardinals Triple-A affiliate) and Doosan of the KBO. Young belted 10 home runs and posted a 1.080 OPS in Korea while hitting 11 home runs with a .917 OPS with Memphis.
For Memphis and Doosan, Young, who bats left and throws right, played first base, third base, right field and left field. The Mets currently do not have a starting first baseman with Alonso still a free agent, and the possibility exists that Mark Vientos may move to first if Alonso does not re-sign, which, ostensibly, would create a vacancy at third base. Either way, Young likely serves as depth in any scenario.
Furthermore, Young can fill the void as a fifth outfielder behind Juan Soto, Brandon Nimmo, Tyrone Taylor, and Jose Siri. DJ Stewart filled a similar role in 2024, but Jesse Winker ultimately took his spot after being acquired from Washington at the trade deadline.
Drafted in the 15th round of the 2017 MLB Amateur Draft by the Cubs out of Old Dominion University, Young last played in the major leagues in 2023. In 16 games for the Cubs that season Young slashed .186/.255/.465/.720. He has a lifetime career line of .210/.290/.436/.745 in 22 major league games.
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