Former Mets First Baseman Selects Free Agency

The New York Mets signed infielder Eric Wagaman with the hope that he might be a bench bat who could fill in at first base and in the outfield, but Wagaman has now selected free agency after being outrighted by the Mets a week ago, according to a report from AJ Eustace of MLBTradeRumors.com

Wagaman made his big-league debut with the Los Angeles Angels in 2024, and he elected free agency at the end of his first year with the Halos when they designated him for assignment. 

He then signed with the Marlins for the 2025 season and went on to make 514 plate appearances in 2025, which is his largest big league sample to date, per Eustace. Wagaman struggled to get to replacement-level numbers, though, and he’s now on the track to become a career journeyman. 

Wagaman posted a slash line of .250/.296/.378 for Miami, but the Mets liked his metrics. He had above-average number of 46.5 percent, but his numbers lagged far behind the league average output for first baseman. 

His glove work was considered passable, but the Mets were at least somewhat desperate with Jorge Polanco went out with an Achilles issue and was unable to make the position switch to first base. 

The Mets gave Wagaman a shot, but he never gave them much production. His size makes it look like he can provide some power, so the Mets picked him up when the Minneosta Twins waived him at the end of April. 

His slash line was .191/.269/.367, and he hit just two home runs in 47 at-bats. Wagaman did hit slightly better at Triple-A Syracuse as he rode the Syracuse shuttle, but he got just 148 plate appearances at Triple-A, per Eustace, so any path he might have had to getting playing time was blocked. 

The 29-year old first baseman could catch on somewhere as a depth player, likely with another minor league deal, but his prospects with that route are mixed. The good news is that the market for first basmen is mixed, with Jake Bauers and Ty France considered the best everyday options. 

There might be a team willing to bring Wagaman to camp to give him an opportunity to land a roster spot, as his strikeout rate has been a plus, but it might not be until next year whenever the lockout ends. 

The Mets got good production from veteran Jared Young at first, but he may end up being part of a platoon if the Mets don’t make a major move to replace him.