The Mets yesterday signed free agent Matt Wise to a one-year contract with intentions of using the lanky former Brewer righthander as a middle-relief candidate.

Wise most recently suited up in No. 38 for the Brewers — incidentally, the same number associated with Eric Gagne, the free agent whose recent arrival in Milwaukee, along with former Met Guillermo Mota, prompted the Brewers not to offer Wise a 2008 contract. Wise, reports say, utilizes a funky delivery to give deception to a variety of junk pitches. His results have been pretty good if not spectacular, and ought to provide an interesting contrast with the results of Mota.

No. 38 in Metland was seen most recently on the back of Carlos Muniz, the last of the Mets’ desperate callups in September. Wise by the way has also suited up in No. 26 for Milwaukee. That belongs to Orlando Hernandez here.