Fastball

Odd Trio of New York Mets Players Used to Promote MLB's Upcoming London Series

Jake Reed, Adam Ottavino and Reed Garrett were on a poster for this weekend's London Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, even though Reed hasn't pitched for the New York Mets since 2022.
Sam Connon|
May 17, 2022; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Jake Reed (72) delivers a pitch during the fifth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citi Field.
May 17, 2022; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Jake Reed (72) delivers a pitch during the fifth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citi Field. | Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

In this story:

New York MetsPhiladelphia Phillies

Many jokes have been made at the New York Mets' expense as they prepare to face the Philadelphia Phillies across the pond this weekend, and for good reason.

The Mets are 25-35 on the season and 13-27 since April 21. New York's constant blown leads have buried them in fourth place in the NL East, 16.5 games behind the division-leading Phillies, making them a poor candidate to grow the game on the MLB World Tour.

And still, New York has a decent level of star power, one that could be leveraged to build hype for the upcoming London Series.

Pete Alonso, Kodai Senga, Francisco Lindor, Starling Marte, Brandon Nimmo and Edwin Diaz are among the team's most recognizable names, for example. However, a Mets fan shared a photo of a poster outside a New Balance store in London promoting the matchup, and none of them were featured.

Instead, relievers Reed Garrett, Jake Reed and Adam Ottavino were front and center.

Looking beyond the fact that the three veteran relievers are hardly faces of the franchise, Reed hasn't played for the Mets since 2022.

Reed is not currently under contract with any team, for that matter, most recently taking the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023. In nine appearances for New York between 2021 and 2022, Reed went 1-1 with and 8.18 ERA.

The Mets waived Reed in July 2022.

Ottavino, although he is in his third season with the Mets, stands out as an odd choice as well. After going 7-10 with a 2.62 ERA and 15 saves between 2022 and 2023, the 38-year-old journeyman is 1-2 with a 5.96 ERA and one save in 2024.

Even Garrett, who is a more palatable 5-2 with a 3.00 ERA and three saves so far this season, is hardly considered to be a draw for fans.

In a poster in the opposite window, superstars Bryce Harper, Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber repressented the Phillies.

The London Series will take place on June 8 and 9. Sean Manaea and Jose Quintana are set to serve as the Mets' starting pitchers in the two games.

The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox played in the first London Series in 2019, while the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs met at London Stadium in 2023.

Follow Fastball on FanNation on social media

Continue to follow our Fastball on FanNation coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.

You can also follow Sam Connon on Twitter @SamConnon.

Published
Sam Connon
SAM CONNON

Sam Connon is a staff writer covering baseball for “Fastball on SI.’’ He previously covered UCLA Athletics for On SI’s All Bruins site, and is a UCLA graduate, with his work there as a sports columnist receiving awards from the College Media Association and Society of Professional Journalists. Connon also wrote for On SI’s New England Patriots site, Patriots Country, and he was on the Patriots and Boston Red Sox beats at Prime Time Sports Talk. Sam lives in Boston.

Share on XFollow SamConnon
Home/News