The New York Mets have been busy this offseason, and while most of the headlines have gone to splashier names like Bo Bichette, Luis Robert Jr., and Freddy Peralta, not every move is meant to shake the foundation. Some are simply about filling in the cracks. Enter Vidal Brujan - a versatile, under-the-radar addition who might not move the needle for fans, but could prove valuable as the season unfolds.
Brujan comes to the Mets via a cash deal with the Minnesota Twins, and while this trade won’t dominate talk radio, it serves a very real purpose. The Mets are thin on infield depth at the minor league level, and Brujan gives them a flexible option who can plug holes all over the diamond. He’s played both infield and outfield, and that kind of utility is exactly what teams look for when rounding out a roster - especially one that’s already top-heavy with star power.
Now, let’s be clear - Brujan’s major league track record isn’t eye-popping. But this isn’t about what he’s done; it’s about what he can do when called upon. With Luisangel Acuña absent from the picture for now, the Mets have more breathing room to carry a player like Brujan, someone who can step in when injuries inevitably hit or when the bench needs a jolt of flexibility.
Contractually, Brujan is working under a split deal originally signed with the Braves - $850K in the majors, $500K prorated in the minors. That’s a bit above the typical Triple-A rate, and it’s part of a growing trend among teams: offering minor-league depth a little extra to keep them in the system.
The Mets did something similar with reliever Richard Lovelady this offseason. The idea is to make these players just valuable enough to deter other teams from claiming them, but affordable enough to stash if they clear waivers.
In fact, Lovelady is the one who loses his 40-man spot to make room for Brujan. It’s a bit of roster Tetris the Mets are playing right now, trying to balance potential upside with organizational depth.
Cooper Criswell, who was recently designated for assignment by New York, signed a similar split deal with the Red Sox. He didn’t make it through waivers, and the Mets had hoped to grab him for depth.
If Brujan clears, a similar plan could be in play - keep him in the system, ready to go when needed.
For now, Brujan is penciled in as a depth piece - a B-team guy who could be near the top of the call-up list if the Mets need an extra glove. And with their current major league bench still needing at least one more infielder or outfielder, his flexibility could come in handy sooner rather than later.
This move won’t make waves like the Mets’ earlier trades, but it’s the kind of quiet addition that often pays off when the grind of the season sets in. Flashy or not, depth wins games - and the Mets are making sure they’re covered.