Mets sign former top prospect Cesar Puello to minor league deal

The Mets are signing outfielder Cesar Puello to a minor league contract, reports Tim Healey of Newsday. He’ll be assigned to Triple-A Syracuse.

Puello, 30, has appeared in the big leagues with four different teams across parts of three seasons. Altogether, he’s tallied 197 plate appearances at the highest level, compiling a useful .246/.354/.347 line while lining up at all three outfield positions. A one-time top prospect during his first stint in the Mets system (2008-15), Puello has spent significantly more time at the Triple-A level, where’s posted a .289/.391/.439 slash over parts of six seasons.

While Puello has generally been a productive minor league player, that hasn’t been the case so far in 2021. Signed to a minor league contract by the Red Sox over the winter, the right-handed hitter stumbled to a .158/.370/.184 mark over 54 plate appearances with Triple-A Worcester. The Sox released him earlier this week. Puello will now hook on with a Mets organization that is still without outfielders Brandon Nimmo, Michael Conforto, Albert Almora Jr., Johneshwy Fargas and José Martínez due to injury.

Additionally, Cameron Maybin and Wilfredo Tovar have accepted their outright assignments and reported to Syracuse. The pair of veterans cleared waivers earlier this week but have foregone their respective rights to elect free agency.