The New York Mets lost Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz in free agency. However, things have quickly changed in Queens after a flurry of moves.
On Thursday, the Mets officially announced the signing of veteran closer Craig Kimbrel, but they also revealed that they are signing former Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes to a minor league deal.
We have made the following roster moves. pic.twitter.com/euogoREMc8
— New York Mets (@Mets) January 29, 2026
Barnes was drafted by the Marlins in 2011, but he made his MLB debut with the Dodgers in 2015 and has spent every year with them until joining the Mets.
Barnes was Clayton Kershaw’s primary catcher during his tenure with LA, but with Kershaw retiring from MLB, it made Barnes more expendable. The Dodgers have All-Star catcher Will Smith on the roster as well, so it was only a matter of time before Barnes found a new home.
While this is a minor league deal with a spring training invitation, Barnes has the tools to impress and land a spot as a depth piece for the Mets.
After a disappointing start to the offseason, which included Diaz and Alonso leaving and Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil being traded away, the Mets have turned things around. The Mets acquired star pitcher Freddy Peralta in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Mets also signed infielder Bo Bichette and acquired Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr., so it has been a very active time in Queens.
