Wise was 3-2 with a 4.19 ERA and one save in a career-high 56 appearances for the Milwaukee Brewers this season. He struck out 43 and walked 17 in 53 2-3 innings.

"Matt has had success in a variety of roles," New York general manager Omar Minaya said. "He adds a versatile arm to the bullpen."

Wise became a free agent when the Brewers declined to offer him a contract by last Wednesday. He pitched for Milwaukee from 2004-07.

"I'm ecstatic to join the Mets," Wise said. "I look forward to helping out in whatever role (manager) Willie Randolph wants."

The 32-year-old Wise is 17-21 with a 4.18 ERA and two saves in 201 major league games. He also pitched for the Anaheim Angels from 2000-02.

He joins a Mets bullpen anchored by All-Star closer Billy Wagner and setup man Aaron Heilman. New York also hopes to get right-hander Duaner Sanchez back from a shoulder injury next season. He hasn't pitched in the majors since July 2006.

Overworked and ineffective, New York's failing bullpen was a big reason the team faltered down the stretch this year. The Mets had a seven-game lead in the NL East with 17 to play, but squandered the entire cushion and missed the playoffs in one of the biggest collapses in baseball history.