Stock Secures Split Deal With New York
The New York Mets announced Friday that they have signed right-hander Robert Stock to a one-year Major League contract. The agreement is structured as a split deal, meaning Stock will receive different salary amounts depending on whether he spends time on the team's active roster or in the minor leagues, according to MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo.
The signing places Stock onto an open spot on New York’s 40-man roster. Because Stock is out of minor league options, the Mets would be required to designate him for assignment if they wished to send him down to Triple-A without his consent. However, rival clubs may be less inclined to claim Stock off waivers due to the slightly larger guaranteed salary associated with the big league portion of his split contract.
If Stock is outrighted to Triple-A, he retains the right to reject the assignment and become a free agent. Despite this option, sources suggest he might prefer to remain with the Mets organization given the guaranteed money attached to the deal.
Recent Return From Injury
Stock’s path to this contract involved a significant recovery period. Last March, the right-hander underwent surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome. He signed a minor league deal with the Mets last winter and returned to minor league action by mid-June.
Stock was selected to the Mets’ active roster at the beginning of August. In seven starts out of eight total games for New York, he posted a 5.93 earned run average, a 19.7% strikeout rate, and a 10.2% walk rate across 30 1/3 innings. His season with the club ended in mid-September due to a bout of finger numbness.
Historical Pitching Record
Stock turns 37 later this month and is a veteran of six Major League Baseball seasons prior to his current stint. During the 2018-21 seasons, he recorded a 4.71 ERA over 55 games and 72 2/3 innings across four different big league teams.
Following that span, Stock spent three seasons pitching in South Korea, Mexico, independent baseball, and with the Milwaukee Brewers’ Triple-A squad. He returned to the majors in two appearances for the Boston Red Sox, pitching 2 2/3 innings.
Role With The Organization
With the contract finalized, Stock will serve as rotation or bullpen depth for the Mets. The team continues its search for pitching this winter as it looks to solidify its roster for the upcoming season.