On Thursday, the New York Mets claimed Kyren Paris off waivers and designated Cristian Pache for assignment.
Paris was a second-round pick of the Los Angeles Angels in 2019 and made his big-league debut in 2023. He has only appeared in 88 games for the Angels, but the 24-year-old found success in Triple-A last season.
Paris is not going to be expected to be a star for the Mets, but he could certainly compete for a spot on the opening day roster. He primarily plays shortstop and second base, but can also fill in as an outfielder. His versatility gives him a leg up, but he will have to prove himself with the bat.
Last season, he played 62 games for Triple-A Salt Lake, slashing .307/.427/.554. There is a big difference between Triple-A pitching and big league pitching, but there is some potential there. He hit 13 home runs as well.
Salt Lake is generally considered a hitter-friendly environment, so Paris will need to prove that his success was more than just a result of his home ballpark.
As a big leaguer, he has a .510 career OPS. This is a low-risk, high-reward addition for the Mets. If he can even turn into a depth piece, it will be considered a successful move.