Former Red Sox infielder Christian Arroyo will get an opportunity to win a spot on the Mets’ 26-man roster this spring. (Getty Images)
The New York Mets are adding infield depth after agreeing to a minor-league deal with Christian Arroyo, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post. The agreement includes an invitation to major league spring training.
Arroyo, 30, was once considered one of baseball’s top prospects after being selected by the San Francisco Giants with the 25th overall pick in the 2013 MLB Draft. He made his major league debut in April 2017, starting at third base, and recorded his first big league hit a day later against future Hall of Fame left-hander Clayton Kershaw.
That offseason, Arroyo was part of a blockbuster deal, heading to the Tampa Bay Rays alongside three other players in exchange for third baseman Evan Longoria. After two seasons in Tampa Bay, Arroyo was traded to Cleveland, designated for assignment later that year, and ultimately claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox, where he would log the bulk of his major league experience.
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In 2021, Arroyo made Boston’s Opening Day roster but spent significant time on the injured list. He appeared in 57 games, batting .262 with six home runs and 25 RBI, while also playing in 11 postseason games and hitting .237.
The following season, Arroyo avoided arbitration by signing a one-year, $1.2 million deal with Boston. Despite additional stints on the COVID-related list and injured list, he delivered one of his most productive campaigns, batting .286 with six home runs and 36 RBIs across 87 games.
Arroyo again avoided arbitration prior to the 2023 season, but injuries continued to limit his availability. In 66 games before early August, he slashed .241/.268/.369 with three home runs and 24 RBI. He was designated for assignment on August 4, outrighted to Triple-A Worcester after clearing waivers, and elected free agency following the season.
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Over the last two years, Arroyo spent time in the Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies organizations. While with the Phillies’ Triple-A affiliate, he appeared in 45 games and impressed offensively, posting a .314/.384/.485 slash line.
Arroyo will now compete for a spot on the Mets’ 26-man roster in a crowded infield mix headlined by Francisco Lindor, Mark Vientos, Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, Luisangel Acuña, and Jared Young.