The New York Mets‘ bullpen had a disappointing 2020. Dellin Betances didn’t bounce back like the team had envisioned (7.71 ERA and 4.91 FIP in 11.2 innings,) Steven Matz and Robert Gsellman both had an ERA over 9.00, and Seth Lugo, the best reliever in the last few years, had to be moved to the rotation.
New Mets’ owner Steve Cohen and his right hand Sandy Alderson have both said they will spend if it means upgrading the roster, and so far, they have been connected with virtually every major free agent available in the market.
The bullpen should be one of those priorities, and according to a report from MLB.com’s beat writer for the New York Mets Anthony DiComo, they could be close to making the first big splash of their offseason.
The Mets are in advanced talks with top relief arm
Sources are telling DiComo that the Mets are “deep in talks” with free-agent reliever Trevor May. The sportswriter reported that “the former Twin ranked seventh in MLB with 14.66 K/9 this season, to compliment a 3.86 ERA. May has a 3.19 mark since returning from Tommy John surgery in 2018.”
Sources: The Mets are deep in talks with free-agent reliever Trevor May. The former Twin ranked seventh in MLB with 14.66 K/9 this season, to compliment a 3.86 ERA. May has a 3.19 mark since returning from Tommy John surgery in 2018.
This is not a done deal, but there is smoke.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) December 1, 2020
To be clear, DiComo wrote in his Twitter account that it is not a done deal, “but there is smoke,” he said. May, a right-hander, would be a fantastic upgrade to a group that struggled mightly in 2020 and would be an option to set up for closer Edwin Diaz, who did have a bounceback season in the shortened year.
The Mets also need one or two starters, a starting catcher (since they decided not to trigger Wilson Ramos’ club option) bullpen help, and perhaps an outfielder capable of playing center. They have also been connected to George Springer in the last few hours, and they remain a player for both J.T. Realmuto and James McCann. As of now, Tomas Nido sits atop the catching depth chart for the Mets.