The New York Mets just added a pitcher to their roster who carries a nearly eight-run average in the minors. It sounds like a mistake on paper, but the front office sees something else entirely. On Thursday, the Baltimore Orioles released right-hander Cameron Weston , who was claimed off waivers by the team. This move happens while Weston holds a 7.89 ERA across 31 appearances for Triple-A Norfolk. The numbers look ugly, yet the Mets are still willing to take a chance on him. According to MLB Trade Rumors , the club immediately optioned Weston back to Triple-A Syracuse after the claim. It is a strange trade for a player with such high marks in the record books.
Why would a team want a pitcher with a bad ERA? The answer lies in what is not shown in the box score. Weston brings a massive variety of pitches that few young arms possess. He throws a fastball, slider, changeup, splitter, and cutter. That is five different weapons in his bag. Statcast data shows he has used a sinker, slider, and forkball this year. The difference in naming might seem small, but it points to a complex mix. FanGraphs ranked him as the 14th best prospect in the Orioles' system back in April. A scout might see a floor of a depth starter, but the ceiling looks higher because of the toolset. The Mets need depth more than they need a perfect ERA right now.
Weston's path to Queens was fast and filled with sudden turns. The Orioles selected him in the eighth round of the 2022 draft. The club added him to their 40-man roster in May. He made just one appearance with the big club, throwing one scoreless inning. That brief stint proved he can handle the highest level of play. During his MLB debut in May, he threw a scoreless inning. But the bullpen did not stay friendly. He owns a 7.89 ERA and 1.94 WHIP through 51.1 frames in the minors. Baltimore designated him for DFA earlier this week to clear space. The Mets acted quickly to grab him before he hit free agency. This speed shows the front office is hunting for any edge they can find.
Making room for a new arm requires moving someone else out. The Mets designated catcher Shawn Ross for assignment to open a 40-man spot. This is a corresponding move that the team announced publicly. It shows the roster is tight and every spot counts. Ross was likely the price to pay for Weston's potential. The Mets will add Cameron Weston to their 40-man roster as part of the deal. He is likely to remain at Triple-A for the remainder of the season. The team does not need him today, but they want him ready for tomorrow. The rotation in Queens faces many questions, and depth is the only sure answer.
