A polarizing New York Mets player has been quietly taken off the team’s 40-man roster, with the rest of MLB opting not to take a chance on him.
While league-wide attention centered on arbitration decisions and payroll debates, the Mets handled several under-the-radar roster moves. One of them involved catcher Drew Romo, who was claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox. Romo, a former first-round pick, had only recently been claimed by the Mets earlier in the offseason, but after failing to stick, he is no longer part of their plans.
Another notable case was Ji Hwan Bae, who managed to clear waivers and remain in the organization. Claimed by the Mets from the Pittsburgh Pirates, Bae’s past particularly a 2019 domestic violence suspension—made his addition controversial from the start. Although he remains with the organization for now, he has effectively been tucked away in the minor leagues.
By removing Romo and shifting Bae off the 40-man roster, the Mets proactively freed up two roster spots rather than waiting for future transactions to force their hand. Romo had been expected to compete with Hayden Senger for the third catcher role in spring training, but that opportunity is now gone. Bae, meanwhile, offered some versatility as a utility option, yet his limited on-field impact and off-field history made the move difficult for many fans to accept.
Bae, claimed on November 6, struggled to earn consistent playing time over four seasons in Pittsburgh. While his speed and positional flexibility provide marginal value, he was largely seen as a temporary fill-in rather than a meaningful contributor. Fan backlash to his acquisition likely discouraged other teams from placing a waiver claim.
Clearing Bae from the 40-man roster now opens the door for a legitimate major-league addition and creates room for more intriguing depth options this offseason, including players like José Rojas, José Ramos, and Cristian Pache.
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