The New York Mets made an interesting signing to bolster the team’s bullpen just a week into the MLB season.
New York is expected to be one of the top teams in the NL and the MLB this season. So, with the Mets looking to chase a World Series, the team made an interesting signing on April 4.
MLB insider Will Sammon reported that the Mets agreed to a minor-league deal with Luke Jackson.
“The Mets and veteran reliever Luke Jackson are in agreement on a minors deal, league sources tell The Athletic,” Sammon wrote on X.
Jackson will look to add some more depth to the Mets’ bullpen. But he will begin in the minors to show he can still be an effective MLB reliever.
The 34-year-old has been a free agent after a very up-and-down season with the Seattle Mariners last season. Although he did have success in the playoffs, he was hit hard at times during the season.
Jackson won the World Series in 2021 as a member of the Atlanta Braves and was one of the top high-leverage relievers that season. His 31 holds were second in the majors.
The right-hander is known for his slider, which induces plenty of ground balls, and a hard-throwing fastball, while he also throws a curveball on occasion.
MLB World Reacts to Mets Signing Jackson
Following Sammon’s report, MLB fans had some mixed reactions to the Mets’ signing of Jackson.
“Good depth signing,” one fan wrote on X.
“Heard about this last night and my first reaction, other than the whole Mets thing, was that Luke is so close to 10 years of service time and I really hope he gets it. Hoping it works out for him in every game except for when they play the Braves,” another fan added.
“Decent depth signing. Jackson had a 4.06 ERA in 52 appearances between the Rangers, Tigers, and Mariners last season,” another added.
The deal is low-risk for the Mets, as the team is hoping Jackson can rediscover his form from a couple of years ago. But, even if he pitches like he did last season, he can be a good reliever in low-leverage situations.
“Could be a nice under-the-radar pickup for the Mets,” a fan added.
“Rangers Luke Jackson gave me nightmares for months…,” a fan wrote.
In his MLB career, Jackson is 24-16 with a 4.22 ERA in 390 games over 409.1 innings.
Fans Hoping Jackson Replaces Lovelady
Part of the reason why Mets fans are so excited about the Jackson signing is that they are hoping he replaces Richard Lovelady on the roster.
“Lovelady DFA loading,” a fan wrote.
“The Richard Lovelady DFA’d post gonna hit so hard,” another fan added.
“Hopefully this means Lovelady is getting sent down soon,” a fan wrote.
The Mets signed Lovelady last June and the team re-signed him this offseason. Yet, after he was put on waivers and claimed by the Washington Nationals, the Mets claimed him back just a week later.
Lovelady is 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in 4 games this season for the Mets in 5 innings.
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