Mets add infield depth by signing Nick Madrigal
The Cubs' Nick Madrigal grounds into a force out during the eighth inning of a game against the Mets on April 29, 2024, at Citi Field. Credit: AP/Frank Franklin II
The Mets added some depth to their infield Friday, signing Nick Madrigal to a one-year contract, the team announced.
In a corresponding move, infielder Luis De Los Santos was designated for assignment.
Madrigal, who has played second and third base in parts of five seasons with the Cubs and White Sox, recently was non-tendered by the Cubs after recording a .221/.280/.256 slash line in 51 major-league games last year.
The move comes as the Mets continue to navigate a tricky infield situation that still awaits the resolution of the Pete Alonso saga — namely whether he will return.
Last week, president of baseball operations David Stearns said that if Alonso does not return, the Mets likely will look to internal options to shore up their infield, with third basemen Mark Vientos and Brett Baty taking reps at first.
Madrigal, who will turn 28 in March, brings solid defense and good plate discipline. In five seasons in the minors, he had a .319/.386/.420 slash line. The White Sox drafted him fourth overall in 2018 out of Oregon State.
Laura Albanese is a reporter, feature writer and columnist covering local professional sports teams; she began at Newsday in 2007 as an intern.
