PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – Right-handed pitcher Ryne Stanek has a financial incentive to make at least 70 appearances this season with the New York Mets, potentially elevating his earnings to $5 million. The 33-year-old pitcher signed a one-year contract valued at $4.5 million, which was officially revealed on January 30. This contract includes a $500,000 signing bonus and an annual salary of $4 million.
Stanek’s contract also consists of performance-related bonuses, including an additional $100,000 for reaching 50, 55, 60, 65, and 70 appearances. Furthermore, he could receive $50,000 for being selected as an All-Star, achieving a Gold Glove award, or being named MVP of the League Championship Series. If he wins the World Series MVP, he would gain $100,000, while $50,000 awaits him for winning a Cy Young Award. There are also lesser amounts of $25,000 and $10,000 associated with finishing second or third in the Cy Young voting, respectively.
Stanek joined the Mets via a trade with Seattle last season, exchanging him for minor league outfielder Rhylan Thomas. While he faced challenges with a 6.06 ERA in 17 regular-season appearances with the Mets, he demonstrated reliability as a relief pitcher during the postseason.
Originally drafted in the first round by Tampa Bay in 2013, Stanek holds a career record of 17-17, maintaining a 3.65 ERA alongside 11 saves over the course of 401 major league games, having also featured for the Rays, Miami Marlins, and Houston Astros.
In another roster move, infielder Nick Madrigal has signed a one-year contract worth $1.35 million if he plays in the majors and $350,000 if in the minors, with $350,000 guaranteed from the start. This contract was announced on January 31.
Madrigal has the potential to earn up to $500,000 in performance bonuses based on his plate appearances in the major leagues, receiving $50,000 at 175 appearances and continuing at additional intervals up to 400. Last season, he recorded a .221 average with 10 RBIs across 51 games with the Chicago Cubs, later becoming a free agent in November after the Cubs chose not to extend him a contract for 2025.
Approaching his 38th birthday on March 5, Madrigal will be vying for a bench position with the Mets during spring training, having previously played at second and third base in the majors. Standing at 5-foot-8, he was selected by the Chicago White Sox as the fourth overall pick in the 2018 amateur draft after showcasing his skills at Oregon State. He was traded to the Cubs in July 2021 as a part of the Craig Kimbrel deal.
Madrigal brings a .274 career batting average, with a total of four home runs, 77 RBIs, and 17 stolen bases in 285 major league games, adding depth to New York’s infield lineup.
