Mets Claim Andy Ibáñez Off Waivers from Athletics

The New York Mets have claimed infielder/outfielder Andy Ibáñez off waivers from the Oakland Athletics, according to an announcement from the A’s. This move comes after the Athletics designated him for assignment a few days prior.

Francys Romero of BeisbolFR reported the news ahead of the official announcement. The Mets had an open spot on their 40-man roster after designating Carl Edwards Jr. for assignment earlier today.

Ibáñez, 33, is out of options and must join the active roster, necessitating a corresponding move when he reports to the team. He offers defensive versatility as a utility player, although his offensive performance has been inconsistent.

He had solid seasons in 2021 and 2023, but struggled in 2022. Over the 2024 and 2025 seasons, he recorded a .240/.297/.355 slash line for the Detroit Tigers, resulting in an 85 wRC+, indicating he was 15% below league average.

Detroit opted not to retain him through arbitration, choosing instead to non-tender him, which sent him into free agency. Teams around the league still see potential in Ibáñez.

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed him to a one-year, $1.2 million deal in January, but designated him for assignment a couple of weeks later. The decision raised eyebrows, as it was intended to prevent other teams from claiming him.

Players with over three years of service time can reject outright assignments after clearing waivers. However, those with less than five years must forfeit their salary commitments.

The Dodgers hoped the contract would deter other teams from claiming him. Once he cleared waivers, it was expected he would remain as non-roster depth due to his salary.

The Athletics claimed him back in February, but he struggled during his brief stint, hitting .118/.167/.118 in 18 plate appearances. Despite this poor performance, the Mets are willing to take a chance on him, believing he can provide flexibility off the bench.

Ibáñez has experience at all four infield positions and the outfield corners. His shortstop experience is limited to just nine innings, but he has over 1,000 innings at second base and nearly 800 at third base, with strong defensive metrics.

The Mets have experienced narrow infield flexibility for much of this year, opening the campaign with Francisco Lindor at shortstop. His most recent above-average offensive season was in 2023 when he posted a .264/.312/.433 line with a 103 wRC+.