Richard Lovelady’s brief stint on the Mets’ 40-man roster was always more about roster mechanics than a long-term bullpen investment. On the surface, his DFA (designated for assignment) might raise some eyebrows, but this move was likely part of a calculated roster shuffle by the Mets’ front office - and the timing tells the story.
Lovelady signed a split contract with New York earlier this offseason, set to earn $1 million in the majors and $350K if he ends up in Triple-A. That kind of deal is designed for flexibility - and it also makes other teams think twice before putting in a claim. For a pitcher with no minor league options left and a limited recent track record, that price tag isn’t outrageous, but it’s not exactly waiver-wire friendly either.
Let’s talk about the pitcher himself. Lovelady’s 2023 numbers didn’t exactly scream “bullpen anchor,” but he did flash some intriguing traits.
His sweeper - a pitch that’s become increasingly popular in today’s game - held opposing hitters to a .200 batting average and generated a 45.5% whiff rate. Those are strong indicators that there’s something to work with here, even if the overall results didn’t quite come together.
Still, the reality is that Lovelady is a fringe roster guy at this point in his career, and teams know it. He’s likely to bounce around the league, filling in gaps and providing depth without locking down a permanent role. That’s not a knock on his talent - it’s just the nature of life as a lefty reliever without options.
As for the Mets, this DFA feels less about Lovelady himself and more about timing. With a full 40-man roster and spring training just a few weeks away, the front office is clearly positioning itself for the next wave of moves.
Once pitchers and catchers report, the 60-day injured list comes back into play. That’ll give the Mets immediate breathing room - they’re expected to move Tylor Megill, Reed Garrett, and Dedniel Núñez to the IL, opening three spots.
This is the time of year when savvy front offices try to sneak players through waivers, knowing that most teams have already made their major offseason moves. The market is tight, rosters are full, and payrolls are largely set. That makes late January a prime window for low-risk DFAs, and Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns has shown he knows how to play that calendar game.
So what happens next for Lovelady? There’s a decent chance he clears waivers and stays in the organization as depth.
But don’t rule out a team like the Red Sox taking a look - especially since they lost Cooper Criswell to the Mets earlier this winter in a similar roster move. Boston could use another lefty in the bullpen, and Lovelady fits that mold.
In the end, this move isn’t champagne-worthy - and that’s okay. It’s a smart, procedural step in a long offseason chess match.
If Lovelady sticks around, he could still get a shot to contribute. If not, the Mets have done what they needed to do to keep their roster flexible heading into camp.
Either way, it’s a reminder that even the quietest moves often have a purpose behind them.