UPDATE â (January 30): The Metsâ minor-league contract with former Astros second-round draft pick Grae Kessinger includes a $900,000 major-league base value and an invitation to big-league spring training camp, according to MLB insider Jon Heyman. The terms give New York a low-risk depth option who will compete alongside other infield candidates as pitchers and catchers report.
Original reporting from Thursday follows:
Amid a significant overhaul of the New York Metsâ infield following the exits of Jeff McNeil and Pete Alonso, the club quietly addressed its depth this week by signing a former Houston Astros second-round draft pick.
After the Mets suffered a history-making collapse last season, plummeting from a 5½ National League East lead and the best record in baseball on June 12 to finishing out of the playoffs, it became clear that big changes needed to happen for 2026.
And they have, with some high-profile, headline-making moves â and some very quiet, under-the-radar acquisitions as well. The latest in the latter category was reported on Tuesday, when the Mets added to their already considerable infield depth by signing a former Houston Astros second-round draft pick to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training.
According to an online report by New York Post Mets correspondent Mike Puma, the Mets “reached agreement with infielder Grae Kessinger.”
New Mets Signing is Grandson of Cubs Great
Puma also added an interesting fact about the newest Met. “Kessinger is the grandson of former longtime Cubs infielder Don Kessinger,” he reported.
Don Kessinger played 12 seasons for the Chicago Cubs from 1964 to 1975, earning six All-Star selections and winning two Gold Glove awards for his stellar play at the shortstop position, before finishing his career with five more seasons divided between the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago White Sox. He also served a short stint as player-manager for the White Sox before retiring at age 36.
His grandson’s career has not been quite as illustrious, though it started out with promise, as Grae Kessinger rose to become the No. 15 prospect in the Astros system by 2020, the year after Houston drafted him out of Ole Miss, the same school where his grandfather played and later coached from 1991 to 1996.
Kessinger’s uncle, Keith Kessinger, also played in the major leagues, albeit briefly, for the Cincinnati Reds in 1993.
Kessinger Will Try to Crack Mets Crowded Infield
Kessinger debuted for the Astros in 2022, and compiled just 70 plate appearances over two seasons with only eight hits â including two doubles and a home run â while striking out 19 times.
The Astros designated Kessinger for assignment after the 2025 season, then traded him to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
But after playing in just 11 games for the Triple-A Reno Aces, the D-backs released the 28-year-old on April 20.
So why did the Mets sign Kessinger, who has little chance to crack a revamped infield that now features Bo Bichette, Francisco Lindor, Jorge Polanco and Marcus Semien.
“The Mets have built a powerhouse, but powerhouses are brittle,” wrote Andres Chavez of Empire Sports Media on Wednesday. “One bad slide or one awkward throw can turn a pennant race into a disaster. Kessinger is the break-glass-in-case-of-emergency option. Heâs 28 years old, which in baseball terms is the absolute peak of ‘now or never’ territory.”
Kessinger Seen as Emergency Depth
With the departures of all-time Mets home run king Pete Alonso and versatile infielder Jeff McNeil, plus the high-profile acquisitions of Bichette and Polanco, the Amazins’ infield looks especially hard to crack going into the season. But according to Chavez, Kessinger makes a smart signing anyway.
“It is easy to mock these minor league invites, but depth is the new currency in MLB these days,” the Empire Sports Media scribe noted. “The Phillies and Braves arenât going away, and the Mets need to be at least 40 men deep to survive the 162-game grind. Kessinger provides a professional at-bat and defensive flexibility that keeps you from having to play a prospect who isnât ready.”
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