The New York Mets didn't just add any pitcher to their staff.
The new guy from the Boston Red Sox throws sidearm.
That at least adds a little bit of funk to the transaction for the Mets on Friday, when they claimed Cooper Criswell off waivers, according to ESPN's Jorge Castillo.
Boston had designated Criswell for assignment on Thursday after completing a multi-player trade to acquire Johan Oviedo from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Criswell had been signed for a fully guaranteed $800,000 deal for the season ahead before being DFA'd.
He's 29 years old and pitched in seven games for the Red Sox in 2025, going 17.2 innings and putting up a 3.57 ERA.
He has pitched 154.2 innings total in his MLB career with an ERA of 4.48. Criswell has also pitched for the Angels and Rays.
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Criswell was effective in Triple-A in 2025 for the Worcester Red Sox, throwing 65.2 innings with a 3.70 ERA.
The Mets have a lot of pitching depth, but Criswell projects as a guy who can work multiple innings out of the bullpen while also presenting hitters with a bit of a funky arm slot.
He'll have to pitch well in spring training to prove himself, but there's a chance of Criswell throwing MLB innings in 2026, for sure.
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