SHY OF RELIEF
Mets approach bullpen market with caution and confidence
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The Mets’ search for bullpen arms involves three different paths.
While the most obvious approach might be to hit the free-agent market for a dependable reliever, the club also is exploring two primary trade routes, according to industry sources.
One involves trading Jay Bruce or Curtis Granderson — a source confirmed reports Monday the Mets have interest in Orioles reliever Brad Brach — and the other centers on using “secondtier” prospects such as Gavin Cecchini and Brandon Nimmo for bullpen help.
As much as the Mets like Brach, who was an All-Star last season, there are sticking points to a potential deal. As The Post’s Joel Sherman first reported, not only do the Orioles want Granderson in the deal (the Mets would rather trade Bruce), but they also want the Mets to provide relief on the $15 million the veteran outfielder is owed for next season.
General manager Sandy Alderson made it clear at the winter meetings he expects any team that acquires Bruce or Granderson to assume full contract responsibility.
According to an industry source, the Mets have spoken to reliever Brad Ziegler’s rep- resentatives about a potential free-agent deal, but the veteran righty is likely to command a multiyear deal, and it’s unclear if the Mets are willing to commit beyond 2017.
Alderson indicated he met Monday with a reliever’s agent who was steadfast his client would accept only the closer’s role. But the Mets remain committed to Jeurys Familia in that spot, even as he awaits a likely suspension from MLB following his arrest on domestic-violence charges. Addison Reed likely would assume the closer’s role in Familia’s absence.
“Right now, we’ve got the ninth inning covered, whether Familia is pitching for us or not,” Alderson said. “Not to say that some guys are overqualified to pitch the seventh inning, but I think that realistically, it’s not as if we have a wide-open closer’s role. We have to address it accordingly, so what we’re doing is looking at a lower-tier, but somebody who can perform in a similar role the whole season, whether it’s the eighth inning or seventh inning, but make the adjustment for the availability of Familia.”
By considering a deal that involves prospects such as Cecchini and Nimmo, the Mets can expand their search for bullpen arms to rebuild- ing teams that have little or no interest in acquiring Bruce or Granderson.
The Mets aren’t pursuing stud closers Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen and weren’t involved in talks for Mark Melancon, who Monday agreed to a four-year deal worth $62 million with the Giants.
“What [Melancon’s signing] reinforces is the notion that by and large, you need to build a bullpen from within,” Alderson said. “That is certainly part of our plan for this year, and we’ve been more successful doing that than we have going out and getting other pieces.”
The Mets ideally could use two relievers, including a lefty. A Jerry Blevins reunion is on the club’s wish list, but such a move is unlikely if it involves a three-year deal. Team brass also isn’t particularly high on Mike Dunn, based on the poor performances seen from him against the Mets in recent seasons. mpuma@nypost.com