Former Phillies reliever wastes no time signing with division rival Mets
It didn't take long for Dylan Covey to find a new home after opting for free agency earlier this month.
With the conclusion of the World Series on Wednesday night, it signaled the start of the free agent frenzy for the MLB offseason. While major league free agents have to wait until Nov. 4 to sign with new teams, players not currently on major league rosters are free to find new homes.
Despite not even being a day into the offseason, a former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher was already on the move as he wasted no time finding a new home for the 2025 season.
Right-handed reliever Dylan Covey quickly signed a one-year major league deal with Philadelphia’s division rivals, the New York Mets, on Thursday. Covey had spent the past two seasons with the Phillies organization after being claimed off of waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers back in May of 2023.
Former Phillies reliever Dylan Covey wastes no time signing with division rival Mets
Serving primarily as pitching depth for the organization, Covey appeared in 28 games for the Phillies during the 2023 season, compiling a 1-3 record with a 3.69 ERA and 1.51 WHIP, giving up 16 earned runs with 16 walks and 27 strikeouts over 39 innings of work. More importantly, he put himself into the conversation for a spot in their bullpen for 2024 by posting a stellar 0.75 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and .209 opponents batting average with seven strikeouts in 12 innings pitched in his final 10 relief appearances.
However, Covey ended up suffering a right shoulder injury during spring training that kept him out of action until late July this year. From there, he was outrighted to the Phillies' Triple-A affiliate Lehigh Valley IronPigs and finished off the season there, putting up strong numbers across the board.
In 15 appearances, Covey registered a 1.20 ERA and 1.07 WHIP, with 16 strikeouts in 15 innings of work. Following the conclusion of the 2024 season, Covey elected minor league free agency in search of better opportunities on the market.
By joining the Mets, Covey will get a chance to compete for a spot in their bullpen come spring training, with only closer Edwin Diaz on a guaranteed contract heading into 2025. As a 33-year-old journeyman and former fourth-round draft pick in the 2013 MLB Draft, Covey might finally be able to secure a big league roster spot to help revitalize his once-promising professional baseball career.
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