Rising Apple
FanSided

Mets and Jerry Blevins reportedly willing to go two years on a deal

By JT. Teran

Jun 30, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Jerry Blevins (39) reacts after getting the final out of the top of the eighth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Citi Field. The Mets defeated the Cubs 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 30, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Jerry Blevins (39) reacts after getting the final out of the top of the eighth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Citi Field. The Mets defeated the Cubs 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Mets bullpen still needs some weapons to be as much of a strength as it was last year.

[Update 1/31/17]:

Sources have told The New York Post that the Mets are willing to back-load a two-year contract for Jerry Blevins in order to get him to re-sign. With outfielders Curtis Granderson, and Jay Bruce going into the final year of their contract, the Mets will have more payroll flexibility next season to offer Blevins a substantial raise.

No contract numbers have been discussed or rumored yet, but with talks heating up, it wouldn’t surprise us to see a deal get done soon. Make it happen, Mets!

[Original post]:

According to MLB Insider Andy Martino, the Mets are willing and comfortable with a two-year contract being offered to free agent reliever Jerry Blevins. The left-hander is reportedly also on board with a two-year deal, according to Martino’s sources.

The organization has been looking at relievers like Sergio Romo, Joe Smith, and Jerry Blevins as possible fits for the team this coming season, according to other reports. The problem with signing any of these pitchers has always been thought of as being money and years-related. If the team is willing to go an extra year for a guy like Blevins, the chances of getting him back obviously increase.

The Mets were originally convinced Blevins would be walking away and taking a three-year deal or more somewhere else. However, the market hasn’t really developed the way the 33-year-old lefty had hoped, and he still remains a free agent for the time being.

In 2016, Blevins played a big role in making the bullpen a strength for the Mets. His 2.79 ERA last season came over 42 innings in which he struck out 52 and surrendered just 36 hits. An arm like that would be extremely useful for another couple of years.

Next: Mets have messy situation on their hands with Michael Conforto

As presently constructed, the Mets bullpen has a couple of lefty options in the pair of Joshes (Josh Smoker and Josh Edgin). However, no one is really expecting either of them to make enough impact to be able to replace a guy like Blevins. It would be fantastic if either of them did, but at this point, signing a guy with Blevins’ repertoire and experience is easily the smartest decision.

Home/Mets Rumors