ROLE THE DICE Kevin Kernan
Reed focused on outs, not how he’ll be used
PORT ST. LUCIE — Anytime, anywhere, any inning.
Mets reliever Addison Reed watched the postseason closely and was thrilled to see how managers used their relievers, especially how Terry Francona utilized Andrew Miller.
Reed will likely be the Mets closer to start the year because Jeurys Familia is expected to be suspended for violating MLB’s domestic violence policy.
The right-hander said Thursday at Mets pre-camp he is prepared to help in any way Terry Collins needs him.
“I take the same mindset out there no matter what inning I’m throwing,’’ Reed said. “The only thing different about the ninth inning is that it is one inning later than the eighth. I don’t see any reason to treat it differently. “If you are throwing the first inning you don’t want any runs to score. If you are throwing the ninth inning, you don’t want any runs to score.’’ Reed, 28, believes these Mets are going to have huge success this season. “There’s not a better team out there than the team we have right here,’’ Reed said. “If we stay healthy, we will go far. If we would have had everyone out there last year, we would have been winning the World Series, I feel confident about that. We have what it takes to win.’’ Reed made 80 appearances in 2016, compiling a 1.97 ERA over 77 ²/₃ innings with 91 Ks, only 13 walks and one save. “I’m going to try and roll off of what I did last year,’’ he said. “I don’t see this role as anything different.’’ Having been a closer with the White Sox and Diamondbacks — compiling 101 saves from 20122014 — will make it easier to fill that role in Familia’s absence. “I think it’s a good thing that I’ve closed in the past,’’ Reed said. “It won’t hurt. Still, saves are overrated, Reed said. “The way relievers were used this last postseason was smart ,’’ Reed said. “It was fun to watch. If a guy throws eight pitches and gets three quick outs, why bring another guy in there? It’s going to be interesting to see how managers and teams go about it this year. I think you will see more [expanded roles] this year.’’
Too much is made of roles; just get outs.
The 6- foot- 4, 230-pounder knows the save statistic helped him get paid, “but I really believe that three big outs in the sixth inning are just as important as the ninth inning,’’ he said. “I think the save stat is kind of over-hyped. It’s the sexy number. People focus on that number too much.
“If you have a one-run lead in the fifth with a guy in scoring position and you come in and get out of it, that should be the save,’’ Reed said. “If you come on in the ninth with a three-run lead and nobody on, what happened in the fifth inning is more important.’’
Reed said the more telling statistic in his mind is ERA.
“And the times you get out of jams,’’ he said. “I remember one year I had 40 saves, but my ERA was high-4s.’’ Reed loves being a Met. “I feel comfortable here,’’ he said. “Everything just clicked. I’ve had nothing but fun since coming over [in 2015 from Arizona]. Citi Field has been awesome. You can feel the confidence the fans give you.’’
It doesn’t matter if he comes in before or after Jerry Blevins, Reed said. Just get the job done when you are called upon to get the hitters out. That is the singular approach. This offseason Reed and his wife worked on remodeling their house in Canton, Ohio, with great assistance from his fatherin-law, including building a gym in the basement.
“My father-in-law is really hands on, he helped us with quite a bit of stuff,’’ Reed said. “Coming here to spring training, I’ll be doing less work than I did at home.’’
His workload will be heavy come April.