Give Robinson big assist in landing Dellin
When Dellin Betances was fielding offers from multiple teams this offseason, a former teammate helped make the reliever’s decision simple.
Robinson Cano joined Mets officials in putting together an elaborate presentation for Betances to sell the organization to the 31-year-old righthander. Cano even FaceTimed Betances before and after the relief pitcher met with GM Brodie Van Wagenen in the final days of the signing process in December.
“Cano spoke highly of Brodie,” Betances said. “He felt like ever since he came in he’s tried to bring in the right group of guys, the right ownership and the right team to make this work. I think you need a full team to be as well prepared as you can.”
Betances and Cano played for the Yankees together from 2011-13. They’ve kept in touch throughout Cano’s departure for Seattle and since he returned to play for the Mets before the 2019 season. The veteran second baseman told Betances how well the Mets treat their players and how much he could contribute to a bullpen made up of Edwin Diaz, Jeurys Familia, Seth Lugo and others.
Forget the Mets’ most recent 86-win season. Cano pointed Betances’ attention to the second half of 2019, when the team went 46-26 after the All-Star Break. It was the second-best record in the National League behind only the Dodgers (46-24).
The Mets will depend on a healthy rotation — comprising of Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Marcus Stroman, Rick Porcello, Steven Matz and Michael Wacha — and the bullpen in hopes of picking up where they left off last season.
“If you look at our rotation, we have one of the better rotations in the big leagues,” Betances said. “I think our job as the bullpen, myself included, is to do the best we can and make sure we hold those leads. If we do that, I think we’ll win a lot of games in 2020.”
Former teammate and new Mets skipper Carlos Beltran also influenced Betances’ decision. The two donned pinstripes together from 201416 and Betances said his new manager chased him early in the process.
“As soon as he got the managerial job, he kind of pushed my name toward management and he did a tremendous job of letting them know how much he liked me,” Betances said. “For me, he played a big part, definitely. I love Carlos Beltran and I can’t wait to play for him.”
In addition to Cano, Betances has already spoken to Familia, Stroman and Justin Wilson on the phone.
“I feel like I’m already at home,” Betances said. “I know a bunch of the players, so I think that transition will be easy for me. I’m just excited to expand my career here with the Mets.”