SIGN OF LIFE
Mets ink reliever; on prowl for Todd Frazier
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Mets won’t be leaving the Winter Meetings empty-handed.
After missing out on relievers Bryan Shaw and Tommy Hunter, general manager Sandy Alderson netted a power right arm Wednesday for his bullpen, landing Anthony Swarzak on a two-year deal worth $14 million, an industry source confirmed.
The 32-year-old Swarzak went 6-4 with a 2.32 ERA and 1.03 WHIP last season in 70 appearances for the White Sox and Brewers.
Swarzak will join Jeurys Familia, AJ Ramos and Jerry Blevins to give the Mets four proven arms in the bullpen. It’s likely the Mets are finished adding relievers, according to Alderson, as team brass focuses on an upgrade at second base and another player who can contribute as a corner outfielder and first baseman.
“We wanted to acquire an extra bullpen arm, we felt that was a relative strength to begin with,” Alderson said. “We were able to successfully acquire that extra arm. I think we will probably be looking elsewhere on the team for our next acquisition.”
The deal with Swarzak is not official until he passes a physical, preventing Alderson from directly commenting on the new addition.
Shaw, who has been offered a contract by the Mets last month, agreed to a three-year deal worth $27 million with the Rockies on Tuesday. An industry source indicated the Mets upped their initial offer — adding a third year — but for fewer dollars than Shaw received from the Rockies. Hunter received a two-year deal from the Phillies worth $18 million. The Mets had offered Hunter two years for less money.
“We were going to work through the options and try to make a deal that made sense for us, improved the team and allowed us to move on to do other things,” Alderson said.
Swarzak provides continuity for the Mets beyond next season given the fact Familia, Ramos and Blevins will be entering the final years of their respective contracts. After mostly a lackluster career, Swarzak emerged last season, featuring a 97-mph fastball. Swarzak spent part of 2015 with Cleveland, where new Mets manager Mickey Callaway was the pitching coach.
On Tuesday, Callaway indicated the team may not name a closer, instead opting to use his best pitchers in the highest leverage situations, regardless of the inning.
The Mets could carry eight relievers for much of next season, but team officials are hesitant to sign or trade for another bullpen arm in an effort to create flexibility, allowing the club to shuffle pitchers between the minor leagues and major leagues. It’s also possible that pitchers such as Robert Gsellman, Seth Lugo and Rafael Montero would be considered for the bullpen.
On the second-base front, Ian Kinsler was traded from the Tigers to the Angels on Wednesday, eliminating an option for the Mets, who had been pursuing a deal for the veteran infielder. The Mets have spoken with the Indians about Jason Kipnis and checked in with the Pirates on Josh Harrison. Alderson and his staff also spoke with the Marlins about Starlin Castro, but appear unlikely to pursue a deal. Jose Reyes remains a fallback option for the Mets.
An industry source indicated Mets officials convened with Jay Bruce’s agent, and although no offer was extended for the veteran outfielder, the team remains “very interested.” But the Mets appear reluctant to offer beyond three years for Bruce, who would give the team a power bat in the outfield who could also see action at first base.
Absent from the Mets’ radar are Scott Boras’ high-priced clients, including Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas. The agent continued his ritual of tweaking the Mets for their spending habits, saying Wednesday that team officials “have to get to the vault, the ATM has limits.”