Latest Reports
Adam Rubin of ESPN New York brings up right-handed reliever Matt Albers as a potential target the Mets will look at as they seek to upgrade their bullpen. The Mets have shown serious interest in Albers in the past, and are expected to do so again this offseason.
Albers, 32, went 2-0 with a 1.21 ERA in 30 appearances for the Chicago White Sox in 2015. He missed three months of the season with a broken pinkie on his right hand, however, he did not allow an earned run after July 31 – his last 22 1/3 innings, 20 appearances.
According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, the Mets checked with the Tampa Bay asked Rays about left-hander Jake McGee, who they have been aggressively shopping. Talks between the Mets and Rays never intensified.
The Rays closer is expected to earn $6 million in arbitration for 2016 and still has two years of team control. McGee has gone 6-4 with 25 saves over the last two seasons with a 2.07 ERA and 0.911 WHIP in 108.2 innings pitched. He also has a 11.4 strikeouts per 9 innings rate in that span.
Previous Reports
After struggling to find an effective left-handed specialist in 2015, acquiring one this offseason was reportedly one of the Mets’ top priorities.
One option is reuniting with free agent Jerry Blevins, who appeared in just seven games this year. He broke his arm twice during the season, but he made a strong impression in his short time in New York.
According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, the Mets would like to re-sign Blevins, as well as one other reliever, perhaps a setup type reliever to pair with closer Jeurys Familia.
Blevins didn’t allow a single base runner in five innings this past season, and has held lefties to a .206 average during his career. Blevins has expressed a mutual interest in rejoining the Mets. He earned $2.4 million in 2015 and is looking for a multi-year deal.
Two other options the Mets had expressed some interest in this offseason were free agents Antonio Bastardo and Tony Sipp – who is now off the table after signing a three-year, %18 million deal to remain with the Houston Astros. That leaves Bastardo…
Lefties batted .138 (9-65) against Bastardo in 2015, with one home run and three RBI, while he was equally proficient against righties, whom he held to a .207 average. In his career, lefties have batted .176 against Bastardo.
If the Mets do not acquire someone outside the organization, their internal options would include Sean Gilmartin, Dario Alvarez and Josh Edgin when he returns from injury. Gilmartin was solid in 2015, but he actually had reverse splits. While Edgin is planning on an April return.
One overlooked candidate is 26 year old lefty Josh Smoker, who was added to the team’s 40-man roster. Smoker posted a 3.12 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 49 innings across three minor league levels this season.
The Mets took a pass on relievers Joakim Soria and Darren O’Day after expressing interest during the GM Meetings in early November. They admitted that they were not looking to spend big for a setup reliever.
Lastly, assistant GM John Ricco said during the Winter Meetings that the club has not ruled out bringing back RHP Tyler Clippard.
“There’s a lengthy group,” Ricco said about relievers Mets are considering. “We are still kind of going through and meeting and trying to gather information on that list of right-handed relievers.”
Clippard, 31, went 3-0 with a 3.06 ERA and 1.052 WHIP in 32 relief appearances for the Mets last season with a 7.2 K/9. He was nearly light’s out his first month with the Mets, but things fell apart in September/October when he posted a 6.14 ERA and an opposing OPS of .858, causing him to lose the setup role to Addison Reed. He allowed 4 home runs in his final 14.2 innings pitched.
