The New York Mets made some notable moves recently, parting ways with right-handed reliever Phil Bickford. Bickford, 28, was released after clearing waivers, following a salary arbitration win. He will receive $217,742 in termination pay, a bit lower than the $900,000 salary he had won in arbitration.
Bickford's release marks the second time this month a player has been released after winning in arbitration. The other player, J.D. Davis, was released by the San Francisco Giants on March 11 but later signed with the Oakland Athletics for one year, $2.5 million, with the potential for more in performance bonuses.
The Mets designated Bickford for assignment on Sunday to make room for J.D. Martinez, his former teammate from the Los Angeles Dodgers. In his 25 games with the Mets, Bickford posted a 4.62 ERA with one save. Last season, he went 5-5 with a 4.95 ERA in 61 games between New York and the Dodgers.
Bickford was originally brought in by the Mets to bolster their bullpen, but with a crowded pitching roster, the team had to make a tough decision. Despite his efforts during the Grapefruit League, where he had a 5.79 ERA in 4.2 innings, the Mets decided to release him instead of outrighting him to Triple-A Syracuse.
Drafted in the first round by the San Francisco Giants in 2015, Bickford made his debut in 2020 with the Milwaukee Brewers. He has since pitched in parts of four seasons, accumulating a record of 11-8 with a 4.43 ERA and two saves in 179 appearances.
In another move, the Mets released Luke Voit from his minor league contract. Voit, who had a standout season in 2020 with the New York Yankees, has struggled with injuries and poor performance recently. Despite being the former AL home run champion, Voit batted just .118 with one homer and four RBIs in 34 at-bats this spring.
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