Mets officially re-sign Ottavino, add to offseason spending spree

NEW YORK -- The New York Mets re-signed reliever Adam Ottavino to a two-year contract on Tuesday, bringing back a top setup man for All-Star closer Edwin Diaz.

Ottavino's deal includes a player option for 2024. He became a free agent after going 6-3 with a 2.06 ERA and three saves in 66 appearances last season, his first with his hometown Mets.

Sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan that the pitcher's contract was agreed to last week and that it will total $14.5 million guaranteed. The deal took the Mets' offseason spending to $476.1 million and brings their competitive balance tax payroll to an estimated $358 million. With an additional tax bill of around $88 million, New York's current payroll is in the $446 million range -- more than $100 million higher than the previous high in baseball history.

The 37-year-old right-hander, who grew up in Brooklyn, tied for seventh in the National League with 19 holds and held right-handed hitters to a .161 batting average. Using his sweeping slider, he finished with 79 strikeouts and 16 walks in 65 innings to help the Mets reach the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

"Adam has a long track record of success," Mets general manager Billy Eppler said in a news release. "He was a staple for us late in games last season, which shows the trust we have in him. We're excited to have him back."

Ottavino joins veteran right-hander David Robertson and lefty Brooks Raley in the back of a Mets bullpen anchored by Diaz.

Robertson agreed to a $10 million, one-year contract; Raley was acquired from Tampa Bay in a trade; and Diaz was re-signed to a $102 million, five-year deal. Right-hander Drew Smith also returns.

Ottavino is 38-34 with a 3.44 ERA and 33 saves in 12 major league seasons with the Cardinals, Rockies, Yankees, Red Sox and Mets.

In a corresponding move, right-hander William Woods was designated for assignment by New York.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.