Mets DFAed Austin Adams Finds Redemption with Oakland Athletics
On February 6, the New York Mets made the decision to designate right-handed reliever Austin Adams for assignment, effectively removing him from their 40-man roster. This move, commonplace in the business of Major League Baseball, led Adams to find a new lease on his career with the Oakland Athletics through a cash deal as spring training unfolded.
Proving to be a pivotal addition, Adams quickly made his mark in the Athletics' bullpen. Over the season, the 33-year-old has showcased his resilience and skill, boasting a 3.92 ERA while racking up an impressive 53 strikeouts over 41 1/3 innings.
Tuesday night at Citi Field saw Adams face his former team in a high-stakes encounter. With the Athletics leading the Mets 9-4, Adams was called to the mound in the fifth inning, confronted with runners on first and second and no outs. Under considerable pressure, he delivered a performance that underscored his value. Escaping the inning unscathed, he struck out Francisco Alvarez to stand his ground.
"Honestly, I looked up and was so surprised I got out of it. I was like, 'Oh my gosh,'" Adams reflected, sharing his thoughts with the New York Post. "And then it dawned on me, I was like, 'Oh my gosh.' So then I did it. I mean, that song is sick. Iglesias is a good dude. So hopefully no one is offended. Just having fun."
His celebration, imitating the Mets' signature "OMG" gesture, was inspired by Mets infielder Jose Iglesias' song "OMG," released in June. The track had become synonymous with the Mets' home run celebrations, especially after Iglesias's performance at Citi Field following a win on June 28. Adams mimicking this gesture added an extra layer of narrative to his return to Citi Field.
However, the Mets did not take kindly to Adams's celebratory imitation. Edwin Díaz voiced the team's sentiment, "He crossed a line because that's something we do when we hit a homer or something. He (can) do it always, that's fine. But he can't get mad if we do something to him the next couple of days."
Adams's journey from being designated for assignment to becoming a reliable arm for the Athletics encapsulates the unpredictable nature of a baseball career. "I pitch on emotion. I maybe need to do a better job of not doing that," he admitted. "But at the end of the day, big-time situation in a game. Got some big outs, got the team a win. You know, when you get DFAed you're told you're not good enough to play for a team anymore. You know it sucks, so yeah had a little extra juice today."
The victory over his former team extended Oakland's winning streak to three games, while the Mets found themselves sinking with a four-game losing streak, subsequently placing them two games behind the third wild-card spot. This game not only exemplified Adams's drive but underscored the ebbs and flows each team faces throughout the grueling 162-game season.
Adams's performance highlighted his redemption arc in a sport where the margins between success and failure are razor-thin. His contribution to the Athletics' bullpen has been significant, reflecting his determination to prove his critics wrong. As the season progresses, both Adams and the Athletics will look to build on this momentum, while the Mets will undoubtedly seek to bounce back from their recent slump.