Mets Claim Andy Ibáñez Off Waivers From Athletics
The Mets claimed andy ibáñez off waivers from the Athletics, adding a 33-year-old utility option to a roster that has been short on infield flexibility. He will have to be added to the active roster when he reports, because he is out of options.
Andy Ibáñez Adds Cover
Ibáñez brings a clean fit for the Mets’ current need. He has played all four infield spots and the outfield corners, with more than 1,000 innings at second base and almost 800 at third base.
The move also lined up with the club’s roster math. New York had an open 40-man spot after designating Carl Edwards Jr. for assignment earlier the same day, so the claim did not require another corresponding move to clear room.
Mets’ Infield Has Been Thin
The Mets opened the campaign with Francisco Lindor at shortstop, Marcus Semien at second and Bo Bichette at third, but that alignment has not held. The club has mostly been playing without a bench infielder this year, and several regulars have hit the injured list recently, including Lindor, Jorge Polanco, Mark Vientos, Jared Young, Brett Baty and Luis Robert Jr.
That has pushed Ronny Mauricio into the shortstop job, and he has struck out in nine of his 22 plate appearances this year. The Mets also called up Eric Wagaman when Luis Robert Jr. hit the IL, and Wagaman has options that could allow him to go back down when Ibáñez arrives.
What Ibáñez Brings Now
The profile is not built around offense alone. Ibáñez hit.240/.297/.355 over the 2024 and 2025 seasons for the Tigers, with an 85 wRC+, then hit.118/.167/.118 in 18 plate appearances for the Athletics after they claimed him back in February.
There is a better version in his recent track record. He hit.264/.312/.433 in 2023 for a 103 wRC+, and Detroit non-tendered him instead of keeping him through arbitration. The Dodgers then signed him in January to a one-year, $1.2 million deal before designating him for assignment a couple of weeks later, a path that shows how often he has moved despite the defensive value that keeps getting him picked up.
For the Mets, the immediate issue is simple: they need coverage across the infield and the corners, and Ibáñez gives them that without forcing a long-term commitment. Once he reports, the active roster will have one more player who can move around the diamond while New York keeps sorting out which infield combination holds up best.
