Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Mets have already put in a significant amount of work improving the ball club this offseason. However, they aren’t nearly done, and one of the biggest needs when the lockout is finally lifted is improving the bullpen.
According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, they may be looking at bringing back a familiar face to help out in that area.
Puma notes that prior to the lockout, Billy Eppler and company had maintained contact with veteran reliever Jeurys Familia. The club reportedly hasn’t ruled out a reunion with the big right-hander as a secondary piece to a bigger splash.
Familia had another roller-coaster campaign in what could be his final season in New York.
Over 59 innings pitched he recorded a 3.94 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 4.40 FIP, while striking out 72 batters and issuing 27 walks. While Familia posted a career-high 10.9 K/9, he also allowed a career-high 10 home runs on the year.
Familia was at one point a dominant closer, recording 51 saves during the 2016 season. Since then, it’s been a bit of a roller coaster whenever the big man is out there on the bump. Overall, he’s pitched to 3.27 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 3.48 FIP in his ten seasons in New York.
Prior to the end of the season, Familia told Puma that he’s loved his time donning the orange and blue, and he’d love to stay with the Mets next season.
If they do decide to look elsewhere, some of the other relief options out there include old friend Collin McHugh, Ryan Tepera, Richard Rodriguez, Archie Bradley, Andrew Chafin, and Andrew Miller amongst others.
