Last week, the New York Mets announced that they reached an agreement on a three-year deal worth $30 million to bring former closer Jeurys Familia back to Flushing.
According to Anthony Dicomo of MLB.com, Familia told reporters on a Monday morning conference call that he is “so excited to be back.”
“I don’t have the words to describe how I’m feeling right now to be back home,” Familia added.
As expected, the Mets told Familia that he will pitch in the eighth inning next season, setting-up for newly acquired closer Edwin Diaz. Despite the possibility of signing elsewhere, likely with an opportunity to close out ballgames, Familia told reporters that he preferred being a set-up man in New York than a closer elsewhere.
“One of my goals was to be back with the Mets. I told my agents if there was a possibility, I’m back. It’s like family to me, that’s why I’m here. It doesn’t matter what inning I pitch, it’s about winning,” Familia said.
The Mets first signed Familia as free agent in 2007, and he made his big league debut in September of 2012. By 2015, Familia was serving as the Mets closer and he never looked back. Familia played a vital role in the Mets back-to-back playoff appearances in 2015 and 2016, recording a combined 95 saves.
He started the 2018 second in New York, but was traded to the contending Oakland Athletics at the trading deadline. He finished last season with a combined 3.13 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 18 saves, while striking out 83 batters and walking just 28 in 72 innings.
With Familia and Diaz, as well as Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo, the Mets now have four legit arms at their disposal in their bullpen.
