Toronto Blue Jays backup catcher Tyler Heineman has been picked up off waivers by the New York Mets. Heineman recorded a .276 average, seven walks, three RBI, eight hits, and four runs, in 29 at-bats with the Blue Jays in 2023. In his career, Heineman has spent time with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the San Francisco Giants, the Miami Marlins, and the Blue Jays. He has now found a new home with the Mets. Heineman split 2023 between the Pirates and the Blue Jays, and his numbers in Pittsburgh were not as impressive. He recorded a .111 average in three games and nine at-bats with them. Although it is a smaller sample size, he had better numbers as a Blue Jay. Heineman’s career batting average is .218 but in a few seasons he has reached the .270s.
Outfielder/catcher Cooper Hummel has been claimed from Seattle and catcher Tyler Heineman has been claimed from Toronto.
— New York Mets (@Mets) December 1, 2023
Mets Pick Up Tyler Heineman Off Waivers
The Mets have been quite busy this offseason, with plenty of notable moves coming from them. Mets fans are expecting more, but so are Blue Jays fans. While Heineman going on waivers is a small move, it shows how the Blue Jays are slowly but surely cleaning up loose ends. Heineman is a decent catcher, and in a small sample size with the Blue Jays at a major league level, he has shown promise.
Mets fans will be happy and lucky to have him, and he should be a solid addition. Compared with Cooper Hummel, who the Mets also claimed from the Seattle Mariners, Heineman has more impressive stats. He has a better WAR overall, with 0.5 compared to -0.7 from Hummel, and Heineman recorded an OBP of .297 versus .264 from Hummel.
Thank you Stearns ??? pic.twitter.com/egAKXCQtMG
— ☥ Mace ?? (@macexmets) December 1, 2023
Congratulations Heineman
Congratulations to Tyler Heineman on being picked up by the New York Mets. The 32-year-old is a versatile player who should be a steady backup for the Mets, and while fans are sad to see him leave the Blue Jays, this move makes sense on their end. The Blue Jays have two strong catchers (Alejandro Kirk and Danny Jansen) and they also have Daulton Varsho who has catching experience. They also have a deep reserve at the position in the minors. So, the Blue Jays releasing Heineman will allow them to spend more on improving their lineup.
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