Skip to content

Report: Mets agree to 1-year, $1.5M deal with Melendez

Nic Antaya / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The New York Mets agreed to a one-year, $1.5-million deal with former Kansas City Royals outfielder MJ Melendez, reports Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

Melendez can earn an additional $500,000 through incentives.

The 27-year-old outfielder, who also has big-league experience as a catcher, was a staple in the Royals' lineup between 2022-24 when he hit 51 homers.

Melendez was non-tendered by Kansas City in November after he struggled to a .083/.154/.167 slash line in 23 major-league games last season. He fared better at Triple-A, posting an .813 OPS with 20 homers and 20 steals for Omaha.

The Florida native joins a potential outfield rotation of Juan Soto, Luis Robert Jr., and Tyrone Taylor in New York. The Mets' top position player prospect, Carson Benge, is also an outfielder and could factor into the team's big-league plans in 2026.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox