The Mets’ newest bullpen arm is a familiar face in New York, with former Yankee reliever Adam Ottavino speaking to reporters on Tuesday for the first time in blue and orange.
Ottavino, who was traded by the Yanks to the rival Red Sox prior to last season, and the righty with a Frisbee slider may have not forgiven his former team for the move, which shipped him out of his native New York.
“It’s great, it’s where I really want to be,” Ottavino told reporters on Tuesday when asked about being back in New York. “I get to sleep in my own bed and see my kids more, and not have to move three times. That’s the biggest thing. I’m excited about that, and obviously this team.
“It's great that there's a good team in New York.”
Some shade thrown at the Yankees, perhaps? The Mets have appeared to take over as the new big spenders in the city, with owner Steve Cohen quickly approaching the new fourth penalty tier in the CBT of $290 million, while Yankees fans impatiently wait for their team to rediscover their Evil Empire mentality and sign one of the remaining stars on the market, like Freddie Freeman. Part of the Yankees’ turn towards lessening spending was highlighted in trading Ottavino, who was dealt to Boston because the Bombers were approaching the luxury tax threshold, and wanted to shed his salary. His salary was replaced by Justin Wilson, Darren O’Day, and Brett Garnder, none of whom moved the needle much for the Yanks last season.
Ottavino wasn’t brilliant for the Red Sox either, pitching to a 4.21 ERA after a rough 2020, and his strikeout rate dipped for the third straight season.
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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