Christian Arroyo Joins Mets as Insurance for Lindor Injury - A Low-Risk, Veteran Depth Play
With Francisco Lindor still working his way back from offseason surgery on his left hand, the Mets are wisely casting a wide net when it comes to shortstop depth. After recently taking a look at Jackson Cluff as a potential stopgap, the team is now giving veteran Christian Arroyo a shot to earn a role this spring.
At first glance, Arroyo and Cluff might seem like similar options - both are infielders with experience at shortstop - but the context around each player is very different. Arroyo, now 31, is out of minor league options, meaning he can’t be shuffled between Triple-A Syracuse and the big league club without first passing through waivers.
That’s a key consideration for roster management. Cluff, on the other hand, has yet to debut in the majors and still has option years remaining, giving the Mets more flexibility with how they deploy him.
Arroyo’s path to this point has been a winding one. Drafted 25th overall by the Giants back in 2013 out of high school, he was once one of baseball’s top prospects - the kind of player scouts dreamed on thanks to a smooth right-handed swing and defensive polish. That pedigree still carries weight in front offices, even if the production hasn’t quite matched the promise.
Across 295 career MLB games, Arroyo has hit .252/.299/.394 with 24 home runs - solid numbers for a utility infielder, but not enough to cement a long-term role. His last major league at-bat came in 2023 with the Red Sox, and while he spent all of last season in Triple-A with the Brewers and Phillies organizations, he never got the call back up.
Still, there are reasons the Mets see value here. Arroyo brings legitimate defensive versatility, having played all four infield positions and even logging time in right field.
That kind of flexibility is gold in today’s game, especially when injuries hit. Offensively, he put together a strong season last year at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
While his .375 BABIP suggests some of that success may have been luck-driven, it’s at least a sign that he can still swing it against high-level pitching.
From the Mets’ perspective, this is a classic low-risk, potential-reward signing. Arroyo comes cheap, he’ll get a chance to show what he’s got in spring training, and if Lindor’s recovery goes smoothly, the club can either stash Arroyo in Triple-A (if he clears waivers) or let him walk with minimal downside. But if Lindor needs more time - or if Arroyo suddenly taps into the talent that once made him a first-round pick - the Mets will be glad they took the flyer.
These are the kinds of moves smart front offices make all the time: adding experienced depth with upside and no long-term commitment. Arroyo may not be a game-changer, but in a long season where injuries and slumps are inevitable, having a guy like him in the mix could quietly pay off.