The New York Mets are still in pursuit of Brad Hand to round out their bullpen with an All-Star left-hander. Though there is mutual interest from both sides, the Mets hope to offer Hand a one-year deal while Hand is looking for multiple years.
Brad Hand, Game ending White Castle Special.
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It is hard to find a reason why Hand does not deserve the same deal as Liam Hendriks. Hand has pitched with the same level of production but for a longer period of time. Since 2016, Hand has a 2.70 ERA while Hendriks has a 3.08 ERA.
Should The Mets Him Multiple Years?
Contract extensions for Michael Conforto and Francisco Lindor and other arbitration cases give the Mets plenty of big decisions in the 2021 offseason. The decision with Hand is based upon whether the Mets want to pay a high large amount for another reliever who is not their closer. If he signs, Hand will become the second-best reliever on the roster.
The Mets should give Hand the extra years because they do not have a left-handed reliever remotely close to Hand’s level. Dellin Betances, Jeurys Familia, and Brad Brach become free agents after 2021, which frees about $20 million for next season. About $13 million-$15 million can go towards Hand, and his production alone would be better than Betances, Familia, and Brach combined.
Hand is a difference-maker in the bullpen as a left-handed version of Seth Lugo. Adding him gives the Mets the best bullpen in baseball and makes them the number one contender to challenge the Atlanta Braves for the National League East crown.