Former Mets Pitcher Signs With A's

Just a few days after declaring for free agency, former New York Mets pitcher Vinny Nittoli has signed with the Oakland Athletics, per Athletics broadcaster Jessica Kleinschmidt.

The Athletics had not officially announced the signing. He was reportedly signed to a minor-league contract but will be invited to Major League Spring Training.

Nittoli was one of six Mets who were placed on waivers earlier this month as they were working to create space on the 40-man roster for offseason moves. They were some of the earliest moves made by new president of baseball operations David Stearns.

Nittoli was one of five players that opted for free agency after they cleared waivers. The sixth, left-handed pitcher Anthony Kay, was picked up off waivers by, oddly enough, Oakland.

Nittoli made three appearances for the Mets and wasn’t involved in a decision. He had a 2.45 ERA, as he struck out five and walked three.

Nittoli logged time with Philadelphia in 2022, making two appearances for the Phillies, and with Seattle in 2021, where he made on appearance.

The Mariners drafted him in the 25th round in the 2014 MLB Draft out of Xavier University. After the Mariners released him in 2017, he hooked up with the St. Paul Saints, followed by a minor-league stints with the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Toronto Blue Jays before he returned to the Mariners on a minor-league deal in 2020.

In August of 2021, he was released again, and bounced to the Minnesota Twins, the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays before he hooked up with Philadelphia in 2022.

Kay pitched in three games for the Mets in 2023, throwing 3.1 innings and finishing with a 5.40 ERA. He also made 13 appearances for the Chicago Cubs.

The other four Mets that hit free agency were catcher Michael Pérez, outfielder Rafael Ortega, infielder Jonathan Araúz and infielder Danny Mendick.