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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 15: MJ Melendez #1 of the Kansas City Royals is congratulated by teammate Cavan Biggio #18 after Melendez hit a solo home run in the third inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 15, 2025 in the Bronx borough of New York City. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The New York Mets are rounding out their roster as MLB spring training approaches. On Sunday, MLB and insider Jon Heyman reports that the Mets are signing former Kansas City Royals outfielder and catcher MJ Melendez to an MLB deal. The deal is worth $1.5 million and has up to 500K in incentives in the contract, according to Heyman.

David Stearns and company are having one of (if not) the best offseasons in MLB, and this move further helps the team’s outfield depth, which is considered to be one of the sore spots for this Mets squad. Melendez appeared in 23 games with the Royals last season and struggled at the plate in his opportunities, but he has found success at the big league level in the past.

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Mets Sign MJ Melendez to MLB Contract

The fact that this deal is an MLB contract is a big deal because at this time of the offseason, several transactions are taking place across the league, and with spring training around the corner, a lot of players are receiving minor league deals with invites to spring camp.

But because this deal is reportedly worth $1.5 million, that means the Mets will likely use him in multiple roles, and there’s a good chance he will make New York’s Opening Day roster. It’s not a groundbreaking signing, but MJ Meledez has 52 career home runs over four MLB seasons, and is still just 27.

He’s listed as a left fielder and catcher, so that adds another option in the outfield alongside Juan Soto, Luis Robert Jr., Carson Benge, and Tyrone Taylor. He’s really phased out of being a catcher, but it will be interesting to see if New York tries to convert him back to add another layer of catching depth behind Francisco Alvarez and Luis Torrens.

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What Can MJ Melendez Bring to Queens?

 

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