The New York Mets are continuing their offseason strategy of stockpiling pitching talent, officially announcing the signing of Anthony Gose and Luis Ortiz to Minor League deals. While neither pitcher is a marquee addition, their signings underline the organization’s focus on building depth for the upcoming season.
Both players will report to Major League Spring Training, though their immediate paths diverge. Anthony Gose, a 34-year-old former outfield prospect turned pitcher, has a chance to make the big-league roster. Luis Ortiz, on the other hand, is recovering from Tommy John surgery and is expected to miss most or all of the 2025 season, targeting a return in 2026.
These moves bring the Mets’ total number of offseason pitching acquisitions to 18. Among those, a few like Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes are virtual locks for the Opening Day roster, while others, including Gose, will compete for roles during Spring Training. Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns appears committed to ensuring a surplus of pitching depth at the organization’s upper levels.
Gose’s case is particularly intriguing. Once a top outfield prospect, he transitioned to pitching midway through his career. While his MLB results have been inconsistent—posting a 4.78 ERA across 31 appearances with the Guardians over the past four seasons—he boasts elite raw tools. His fastball reaches the upper 90s, and his slider generated a 66.7% whiff rate in 2022, ranking second among 435 pitchers who threw at least 100 sliders that year.
At Triple-A Columbus in 2023, Gose struck out 11.9 batters per nine innings and posted a 3.22 ERA across 41 appearances. However, his control remains an issue, as evidenced by his 5.4 walks per nine innings. Still, the Mets see potential in his swing-and-miss ability.
Ortiz, a 2014 first-round draft pick by the Rangers, has logged Major League time with Baltimore, San Francisco, and Philadelphia. Despite his injury, Ortiz’s pedigree makes him a worthwhile investment for the Mets’ long-term plans.
Additionally, the Mets have invited several new relievers to Spring Training, including Génesis Cabrera, Dylan Covey, Chris Devenski, Rico Garcia, and others. The competition will be fierce, with numerous incumbents like José Buttó and Dedniel Núñez also vying for bullpen roles.
Though many of these pitchers lack extensive MLB track records, the Mets are banking on a few emerging as key contributors to their 2025 bullpen. With depth and upside as the focus, the team’s offseason approach reflects a strategic investment in future success.
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