According to Robert Murray of Baseball Essential, the market for top remaining relief pitcher Antonio Bastardo is “heating up,” and four teams are rumored to be interested, including the Blue Jays, Orioles, Dodgers and Mets.
The Cubs also met with Bastardo’s agents during the Winter Meetings, but it is unclear whether they are still considering the southpaw for their bullpen.
The Mets have been connected to Bastardo at different points during the offseason, but have made it known that they are unwilling to give him the three-year deal he is currently seeking.
Bastardo can very well be looking to get a deal in the same range as fellow reliever Tony Sipp, who returned to the Astros on a three-year, $18 million pact earlier in the winter.
Mike Puma of the New York Post also added earlier this month that the Mets are prepared to wait out the market for as long as it takes until they can sign a reliever on a one year deal – even if it means watching the remaining proven options come off the board as so many have already.
A long time Phillie, Bastardo spent last season with the Pirates and pitched to a 4-1 record with a solid 2.98 ERA in 57.1 innings over 66 appearances.
Additionally, Bastardo was effective against both left-handed and right-handed hitters, who hit at a .138/.233/.215 and a .210/.311/.315 clip against him, respectively.
Unless Bastardo is willing to take a one-year deal, I doubt the Mets sign him. I don’t see the Mets bending and doling out a three-year deal to get him. However, Bastardo could be the LOOGY the Mets have been seeking for their bullpen for quite sometime.
