The New York Mets have wasted no time in bolstering their pitching staff for the upcoming season. In a move that adds depth and experience to their bullpen, the team has agreed to terms with right-hander Dylan Covey on a one-year contract.
Covey Brings Veteran Presence to Mets Pen
At 33 years old, Covey is no spring chicken, but his track record suggests he still has plenty left in the tank. The well-traveled hurler spent the 2023 campaign with the Philadelphia Phillies organization, posting solid numbers across multiple minor league levels:
- Triple-A Lehigh Valley: 2.66 ERA, 19 K in 20.1 IP
- Double-A Reading & Single-A Clearwater: 0 ER in limited action
While Covey didn’t see any big league action with the Phillies, he did make 28 appearances (1 start) for them and the Dodgers in 2023, recording a respectable 3.69 ERA. His performance was hampered by a shoulder strain that sidelined him for a good chunk of the season, but he finished strong after returning in late August.
Sinker-Cutter Mix Keeps Hitters Honest
Covey’s bread and butter is a heavy sinker that averaged a tick under 94 mph last year in Triple-A. He pairs it with a cutter, splitter and slider, keeping hitters off balance with the variety. It’s a classic pitch mix for a reliever of his ilk, and one that has proven effective for Covey over the years.
He really knows how to leverage that sinker-cutter combo to get weak contact and keep the ball in the yard. When Dylan’s on, he’s a ground ball machine.
An NL scout familiar with Covey
Covey’s Winding Road to the Big Apple
A former 4th round draft pick of the White Sox, Covey debuted with Chicago in 2017. He bounced between the rotation and bullpen in his time with the South Siders before brief stints with the Red Sox, Dodgers and Phillies.
From 2021-22, Covey plied his trade in Taiwan with the Rakuten Monkeys of the CPBL. The change of scenery seemed to suit him well, as he posted solid numbers and caught the attention of MLB teams once again.
Savvy Pickup for Mets
While Covey may not be a marquee name, he’s the type of reasonably priced veteran depth that championship clubs always seem to have in spades. His ability to work multiple innings and keep the ball on the ground should make him a valuable piece of the puzzle for Buck Showalter.
With a career 6.18 ERA as a starter vs a 4.33 mark in relief, Covey has clearly found his niche in the bullpen. If he can stay healthy, there’s no reason to think he can’t be a solid contributor in middle relief for the Mets in 2024.
It may not be the flashiest move of the offseason, but in adding Dylan Covey, the Mets have taken a savvy first step in rounding out what they hope will be a championship-caliber pitching staff. Time will tell if it pays off, but don’t be surprised if the unheralded right-hander emerges as a key cog for the Amazins’ in the season ahead.
