WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Subsequent to Justin Verlander’s locker within the Mets clubhouse in Port St. Lucie is the one for John Curtiss.
Verlander’s addition this offseason due to a two-year, $86.7 million deal signaled as soon as once more how a lot totally different the Mets are working underneath the stewardship of proprietor Steve Cohen.
However having Curtiss round additionally represents the very fact the Mets are lastly appearing like a real superpower.
A yr in the past, the Mets have been the one workforce to supply the right-hander a serious league deal after Curtiss tore his UCL the earlier August, whereas pitching for the Brewers.
It allowed Curtiss a yr to rehab from surgical procedure, whereas gaining one other yr of service time.
It’s one thing the Yankees have accomplished up to now and the Dodgers did extra just lately with Tommy Kahnle earlier than he returned to The Bronx this previous offseason.
“Gamers are extraordinarily conscious of what the Mets are doing,’’ stated Curtiss, who was within the bullpen for the Mets’ recreation towards the Astros at Ballpark of the Palm Seashores on Tuesday.
“I used to be impressed by Steve even earlier than I signed with the workforce,’’ Curtiss stated. “It’s not simply the cash they spend, it’s the eager to win.
“We don’t want 30 Steve Cohen billionaire house owners keen to spend every part, however we must always have 30 groups making an attempt to win. I’m grateful to be in a spot the place they checked out a man like me and have been keen to take an opportunity.”
For the Mets and their payroll that sits round $350 million — and would have been even greater had the Carlos Correa deal not fallen by because of his bodily — Curtiss’ wage isn’t even a drop within the bucket.
Curtiss, who turns 30 subsequent month, is about to make lower than $1.5 million whole over final yr and 2023.
He was productive sufficient earlier than the elbow harm that he pitched to a 1.075 WHIP in 35 video games with the Marlins earlier than being traded to Milwaukee on the deadline.
And Curtiss was stable over 17 appearances with the Rays in 2020.
However the Mets have been the one workforce desirous about giving him a serious league deal in 2022.
“That’s an entire financial and labor factor,’’ Curtiss stated. “I’m not shocked 29 different groups didn’t need to pay me one other yr of service time and minimal for me to rehab.
“Solely big-market groups try this. Now, was I shocked about having gone from a trade-deadline chip that went to a workforce making an attempt to win a World Collection to then not being on a 40-man roster? That’s a unique query.”
It’s one he understands as a reliever who has pitched greater than 25 innings within the majors simply as soon as.
“That’s how it’s as a reliever,’’ Curtiss stated. “If you happen to’re wholesome and producing, you get a job. But when not, you don’t, and that’s simply the best way it goes.”
If he returns to kind, the Mets have Curtiss underneath management till 2026.
“I used to be thrilled to return right here as a result of I wished to be on a contender,’’ Curtiss stated. “I couldn’t be extra grateful to be right here with this workforce. I’m sincerely making an attempt to pay them again for the favor they did for me final yr.
“It really meant one thing to me and I need to make it price their whereas.”
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