The New York Mets made difficult roster decisions on Friday, parting ways with three players who once held promise for the organization. Right-hander Grant Hartwig and left-hander Alex Young were non-tendered and are now free agents, while former top outfield prospect Alex Ramírez was released.
The moves mark another blow to new manager Carlos Mendoza, who is already navigating a challenging offseason. The departures signal the end of the line for players who had shown glimpses of potential but struggled to find consistency in New York.
Hartwig, 26, appeared in 32 games over the past two seasons, providing bullpen depth with flashes of effectiveness. However, a torn meniscus in his left knee limited him this year, and his recovery timeline likely factored into the Mets’ decision.
Young, 31, joined the Mets midseason after being claimed off waivers from the Giants. In 14 games, he posted a solid 3.29 ERA, demonstrating value as a left-handed relief option. However, his frequent moves between teams—five organizations in four years—highlighted a lack of long-term fit, leading to his non-tender.
Perhaps the most notable departure is that of Ramírez, a 21-year-old outfielder once considered one of the Mets’ brightest prospects. Ramírez seemed poised for stardom after a strong 2022 campaign across two Class A levels, but his performance nosedived over the past two seasons, with OPS marks of .627 and .590.
The roster moves clear 40-man spots as the Mets continue to reshape their team under general manager David Stearns. For a club aiming to rebound in 2024, these decisions underscore the tough choices necessary to create space for new opportunities, though they come at the cost of letting go of once-promising talent.
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