Reporter Mike Puma of the New York Post has confirmed that the Mets do indeed have interest in free agent reliever Antonio Bastardo. However – and this is a big however – they are unwilling to give him the three-year deal he is seeking and is expected to get.
Puma says that the Mets are prepared to wait out the market for as long as it takes until they can sign a reliever on a one year deal – even if it means watching the remaining proven options come off the board as so many have already.
Original Report – January 5
According to Buster Olney of ESPN, the New York Mets and Baltimore Orioles are among the teams that have been in discussions with free agent LHP Antonio Bastardo.
Bastardo had a great year for the Pirates, going 4-1 with a 2.98 ERA, 1.134 WHIP and a 10.0 K/9 rate. He appeared in 66 games and pitched 57.1 innings, striking out 64 and walking 26. He did an incredible job as the Bucs’ setup man this season for closer Mark Melancon.
The Pirates used Tony Watson as their lefty specialist last season, but mostly because Bastardo was so good as a crossover reliever. But make no mistake that Bastardo is one of the game’s most filthiest relievers against left-handed batters.
Lefties batted .138 (9-65) against Bastardo in 2015, with one home run and three RBIs (righties batted .207). In his career, lefties have batted .176 against him, so this season was not an outlier.
MLB Trade Rumors projects him to sign a three-year $15 million dollar contract.
