Luis Guillorme, a former Mets player who was non-tendered by the club, expressed mixed emotions about the decision. Although he expected it, the news of not being re-signed still felt weird after being with the Mets for so long. Guillorme, who signed with the Braves, played multiple infield positions and had a decent season with the Mets. However, the team opted to non-tender him, leading to his move to the Braves, where he received a one-year contract worth $1.1 million.
Guillorme acknowledged that new management at the Mets wanted to bring in their own players, which could have impacted his future with the team. Following his departure, the Mets signed Joey Wendle to fill the same role that Guillorme had on the team. Guillorme, who spent 11 years with the Mets organization and made it to the big leagues with them, expressed the difficulty of transitioning to a new team after developing familiarity with his former teammates and surroundings over the years.
In another move, the Mets called up Cole Sulser from Triple-A Syracuse to bolster their bullpen, resulting in Yohan Ramirez being designated for assignment. Ramirez had a tough outing in his last appearance, allowing five earned runs in two innings against the Reds. Manager Carlos Mendoza explained that the decision to bring in Sulser was to provide coverage in the bullpen, especially with Julio Teheran set to make his first start of the season. Teheran was recently signed by the Mets after opting out of his contract with the Orioles in spring training.
The Braves commemorated the 50th anniversary of Hank Aaron hitting his record-breaking 715th home run to surpass Babe Ruth’s all-time record. Fans displayed cutout signs numbered 1-715 to honor Aaron, who hit a total of 755 home runs in his career, including 45 against the Mets in 188 games. The celebration served as a reminder of Aaron’s legendary status in baseball history and his impact on the game as a whole. The Braves honored his memory in a special ceremony at the game.
Despite the disappointment of being non-tendered by the Mets, Luis Guillorme remained focused on his current role with the Braves. He acknowledged the adjustment of transitioning to a new team after spending the majority of his career with the Mets. Guillorme’s experience of being with the same organization for over a decade highlights the challenges that players face when moving to a new team in the big leagues. His dedication to improving and adapting to the changes demonstrates his commitment to making the most of his opportunity with the Braves.
The Mets’ decision to make changes in their bullpen reflects the team’s focus on improving their pitching staff to remain competitive in the league. Bringing in new players like Cole Sulser and Julio Teheran shows the team’s commitment to strengthening their roster and addressing areas of need. Manager Carlos Mendoza’s strategic decision-making in managing the bullpen and navigating through player acquisitions demonstrates the team’s emphasis on maintaining a competitive edge in a challenging baseball season. These moves are part of the Mets’ ongoing efforts to enhance their team composition and performance on the field.