Kristie Ackert of the Daily News is reporting that LaTroy Hawkins, undoubtedly one of the best free agent signings of the season for the Mets, has already had discussions with the front office to return in 2014.
Hawkins was already having a solid season for the Mets – serving as the team’s setup man. But it wasn’t until closer Bobby Parnell was lost to a neck injury, that the veteran righthander truly shined for the Amazins.
Hawkins, 40, has tossed 14 straight scoreless innings and recorder 13 saves since assuming the closer role in the Mets bullpen.
In 72 appearances spanning 70.2 innings, Hawkins has a 2.93 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP and 55 strikeouts while walking just ten batters.
Given the uncertainty of whether Parnell will be 100% ready for Spring Training, bringing Hawkins back for an encore wouldn’t be such a bad idea.
After signing a one-year, $1 million dollar minor league contract last January, the odds seemed long for Hawkins to break camp with the Mets. Now it’s difficult to imagine the bullpen without him.
