Manager Terry Collins spoke to reporters today at Mets camp in Port St. Lucie and confirmed that right-handed reliever Addison Reed will handle the 8th inning setup role for the Mets to begin the season. (Adam Rubin, ESPN)
It was initially believed that Reed would compete with newly signed Antonio Bastardo for the setup role in spring training, but Collins has made up his mind and Bastardo will handle the 7th inning duties for the Mets.
Reed, 27, posted a 4.20 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 40.2 innings with the D’Backs before being traded to the Mets last summer. After joining the Mets he pitched to a 1.17 ERA in 15.1 innings, but struggled in the postseason where he allowed five runs in seven innings. He has a career 4.01 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 3.41 FIP in five major league seasons.
Bastardo, 30, posted a 2.98 ERA, 3.33 FIP, 1.130 WHIP in 57.1 innings for the Pirates last season with 64 strikeouts. He owns a 3.58 ERA in 316.1 innings over his seven year career with a 11.04 strikeout rate.
Reed avoided arbitration with the Mets and agreed to a $5.3 million dollar contract for the 2016 season. Bastardo was signed to a two-year deal worth $12 million dollars in January.
