The Mets continued to reshape their roster this week, adding a bit more depth behind the plate by claiming catcher Drew Romo off waivers from the Orioles. It’s a low-risk move that gives New York another option at a position where consistency has been hard to come by in recent seasons.
Romo, 24, is a switch-hitting catcher and former first-round pick of the Rockies back in 2020. He’s still relatively untested at the major league level, having appeared in just 19 games over the past two seasons. His numbers in that limited big-league action haven’t popped - a .167 average with no home runs and 21 strikeouts in 54 at-bats - but the Mets are clearly betting on his potential rather than his stat line.
What Romo does bring is a solid track record in Triple-A. Across parts of three seasons with Colorado’s top affiliate, he slashed .286/.337/.466 over 149 games - production that suggests there’s more in the bat than we’ve seen so far in the majors. He’s also known for his defensive instincts and game-calling ability, two traits that often take time to fully translate at the highest level.
To make room for Romo on the 40-man roster, the Mets designated left-hander Brandon Waddell for assignment. Waddell was a solid contributor in a limited role this past season, posting a 3.45 ERA over 31 1/3 innings across 11 appearances.
But his time was split between the majors and Triple-A Syracuse, where he struggled with consistency, finishing with a 5.02 ERA in 19 games (15 of them starts). The Mets had signed him to a big-league deal back on November 4, but with the bullpen and pitching depth chart evolving quickly, Waddell became the odd man out.
Romo’s arrival is part of a broader effort by the Mets to bolster their depth and flexibility heading into 2026. On the same day they claimed Romo, the team also made a splash in the bullpen, signing former Yankees closer Luke Weaver to a two-year deal.
Weaver joins a revamped relief corps that already includes standout arms like Devin Williams, A.J. Minter, and Brooks Raley - a group that’s shaping up to be one of the more intriguing late-inning units in the National League.
For now, Romo likely slots in as a depth piece behind the plate, but with a strong spring and continued development, he could push for a more significant role. The Mets aren’t just collecting names - they’re looking for upside, and Romo, even with his limited big-league résumé, still has some of that left in the tank.