In a move that was widely expected, the New York Mets will indeed pick up the $7 million dollar option on lefty reliever Jerry Blevins, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.
“I would love to come back to New York,” Blevins told us last week in an exclusive MMO interview. “I feel like we have a lot to prove and I think we’ll play that underdog role a lot better than we do playing the favorites. Everybody kind of needs a chip on their shoulder. … I hope to be a part of it.”
Blevins, 34, would like to see the Mets add another proven reliever for the backend of the bullpen to join him, AJ Ramos, and closer Jeurys Familia.
“I’d like to see them maybe go out and sign Addison Reed back, but that’s me personally. I just like having him down there, he’s a friend of mine and my wife and his wife are friends. But he’s a great pitcher too, but it should be interesting.”
One of the most reliable left-handed relievers in the league, Blevins explained how much the importance of the bullpen has evolved over the years, and what a significant role it plays in today’s game.
“The way they’re using the bullpens nowadays I think a lot of people underestimate what the bullpen does,” Blevins said.
“I think baseball’s coming around to understand that there’s a lot of talent in the bullpen and that a third time through the lineup for a starter, unless he’s your one-two guy, there’s some middle relievers who can really pitch and so you’re seeing them get more innings more often.”
Blevins is coming off a solid season for the Mets, finishing with a 2.94 ERA, 3.12 FIP and a .228 BAA with 69 strikeouts in 49.0 innings.
However, against left-handed hitters, Blevins was among the best, holding them to a .195 average and .202 slugging while striking out 48 batters in 34 innings.
