AMAZIN’S BOOST PEN
The Mets’ bullpen multiplied Friday like a Gremlin dropped in a pool. Well, a kiddie pool.
After months of inaction, and despite Jeurys Familia facing a certain suspension, the Mets roared awake, re-signing left-hander Jerry Blevins and righthander Fernando Salas to one-year deals and even adding veteran southpaw Tom Gorzelanny on a minor league contract.
Blevins, 33, served as the big catch, a popular veteran to whom manager Terry Collins can turn in a big spot against dangerous lefty bats like the Nationals’ Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy and the Braves’ Freddie Freeman. Blevins will receive a one-year deal with a guarantee of about $6 million and a team option for 2018.
Salas, whom the Mets acquired last August and who thrived in 17 stellar innings (2.08 ERA), will get a one-year, $3million deal.
Gorzelanny, a 12-year veteran, spent last season with Cleveland and was ineffective in seven games in the majors, surrendering seven runs in just three innings.
The Mets’ plan this offseason called for them to trade Jay Bruce, who became superfluous upon the re-signing of Yoenis Cespedes, and use his dumped $13-million salary to strengthen the bullpen, a goal upon the completion of the 2016 season that turned into an imperative once Familia got arrested on a domestic-violence charge on October 31.
While New Jersey officials have dropped the charges against Familia, the closer is still certain to receive a suspension of at least 30 games. Commissioner Rob Manfred said at the owners’ meetings in Palm Beach, Fla., on Friday that a decision would be made on Familia’s extremely likely suspension for violating the league’s domestic violence policy by Opening Day.
The Mets spent much of the past weeks telling industry people that they were financially strapped. Yet with spring training approaching, they loosened their belts and expanded their payroll by nearly $10 million, sending a strong message to their fans.
The return of Blevins registered the most among the fans that still haven’t shaken off past nightmares of payroll slashing. After pitching in just seven games for the 2015 Mets, missing the bulk of the season with freak injuries, the lefty re-signed a year ago and responded with a 2.79 ERA in 73 games, striking out 52 and walking 15. He limited lefty batters to a .255/.313/.324 slash line in 102 at-bats and also excelled against righties, putting up a .182/.266/ .345 line in 55 at-bats.
J.P. Ricciardi, special assistant to Mets general manager Sandy Alderson, said Friday at Citi Field that the team would try pitchers in different roles to account for Familia’s likely suspension, which figures to last about 30 games. Ricciardi also said the Mets’ glut of outfielders isn’t a negative.
“We shouldn’t apologize for having good outfielders,” Ricciardi said of the team’s inability to move Bruce. “Bruce is a good player. We know he didn’t play as well as he’s capable of playing, but I think you’ll see a good player.”
Ricciardi said it could be another year before Michael Conforto finds a regular spot in the outfield, but insisted they wouldn’t let his game “stagnate,” meaning he probably will see some more time at Triple-A Las Vegas.
He also floated the idea of trying a six-man rotation again, but didn’t think it would work.