The New York Mets have opened up two 40-man roster spots today. The Oakland Athletics have claimed outfielder Andrew Brown off of waivers from the Mets, and the Milwaukee Brewers have claimed catcher Juan Centeno.
Brown, 30, was signed to a minor league contract by the Mets before the 2013 season. He appeared in 68 games that first year, with impressive power, hitting seven home runs (150 at bats). Brown earned an Opening Day roster spot in 2014, and because of injuries started in left field. He struggled mightily though, hitting only .182 with two home runs and seven RBIs. Brown will likely compete for a backup outfield role in Oakland.
Centeno, still only 24, was not a prized prospect with New York, though the Mets liked his abilities. He showed a strong arm behind the plate, but a light bat at the major league level. In parts of two seasons in the big leagues, Centeno had a .225/.279/.225 line (14 games). Ultimately, the Mets just had no room for him with Travis d'Arnaud and Anthony Recker in the majors, and prospect Kevin Plawecki waiting in the wings. Centeno will compete for the backup catching duties behind Jonathan Lucroy in Milwaukee.
With these two subtractions from their team, the Mets 40-man roster right now stands at 38. Matt Harvey and Bobby Parnell returning next year will take the places of costless agent Daisuke Matsuzaka and retiring Bobby Abreu.