Mets officials have been underwhelmed by the four left-handed relief candidates in major league camp: Scott Rice, Sean Gilmartin, Dario Alvarez and Jack Leathersich, reports Adam Rubin of ESPN New York.
“They might acquire someone from outside the organization before Opening Day. Baltimore Orioles southpaw Brian Matusz is one potential option. A waiver claim on a lower-tier reliever also is possible.”
Sandy Alderson said recently that despite the need, Steven Matz will not be a consideration for the bullpen.
“I’m not happy where we are with our left-handed situation, so that is a work in progress.
When asked if money was the real reason he failed to address what he initially called a critical offseason priority, the Mets GM responded:
“There just wasn’t anybody in whom we were prepared to invest a major league contract. It’s not the financial issue.”
Reliever Duane Below, who was signed to a minor league deal in the offseason, is also going to get a longer look as none of the primary candidates have stepped up. But even Below seems like a long shot given his reverse splits.
