Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports that the Mets have pursued Cleveland Indians right-hander Vinnie Pestano during the winter meetings, according to a major league source.
Pestano, 27, went 3-3 with a 2.57 ERA in 70 relief appearances last season while utilizing a solid sinker. He has only slightly more than two years of major league service time — meaning he is still under control for four years and not yet even eligible for arbitration.
Another source told Rubin that the Mets also pursued 36-year-old right-hander Joel Peralta from the Rays, but have found the asking price too high.
Petrano would be a nice acquisition for the Mets depending on what the cost is in players. I happen to like relievers who could come into tight situations and induce groundballs like Pestano can. But more than that, Pestano has excellent peripherals across the board including a K/9 of 10.9, a 1.103 WHIP, and a 158 ERA+ in his 3-year MLB career spanning 142 appearances.
In four years in the minors, Pestano has compiled a 2.55 ERA in 132 appearances with a 1.168 WHIP.
I hope we are successful in attaining him.
