Just a few weeks ago, it appeared that the New York Mets would be among the biggest sellers at this year’s trade deadline, but then they began winning.
The blue and orange have won eight of their last nine games, turning their season around for the time being. Despite being two games under.500 (36-38), the Mets have surged back into the wild-card chase and are now only one game from the last place. With the blue and orange back in the race, the Mets chose to acquire depth through the waiver wire.
The Mets claimed Duke Ellis off waivers.
According to Newsday’s Tim Healey, the Mets claimed outfielder Duke Ellis off waivers from the Chicago White Sox and assigned him to Double-A Binghamton. The White Sox designated the 26-year-old for assignment earlier this week.
Ellis made his major league debut earlier this season, but went hitless in four at-bats across eight games. Ellis, a Louisiana native, demonstrated his best skill by going 4-for-4 in stolen base attempts.
Eliis slashed in 41 games in the White Sox system, ranging from Double-A to Triple-A.250/.329/.297 with a home run, 12 RBIs, and 34 stolen bases. Across four minor league seasons, the Louisiana native has 117 stolen bases.
Could Ellis make his way back into the major leagues?
The Mets’ outfield room is incredibly congested, with Trayce Thompson and Ben Gamel awaiting opportunities in Triple-A.
If the organisation decided to waive the white flag on the 2024 season, the blue and orange could deal a handful of outfielders at the deadline, but making the big league squad would remain difficult.
Ellis’ only path to the Mets roster would be as a pinch-runner specialist, which would most likely not happen until September, when the blue and orange may carry 28 players instead of 26.
