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Mets bring back Fernando Salas on one-year, $3 million deal

By Richard Heaton

Sep 13, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Fernando Salas (59) pitches during the tenth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. New York Mets defeated Washington Nationals 4-3 in the tenth inning. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Fernando Salas (59) pitches during the tenth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. New York Mets defeated Washington Nationals 4-3 in the tenth inning. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to Ken Rosenthal, the Mets and reliever Fernando Salas may soon be reunited. Salas spent the final month of the 2016 season with the Mets after pitching in 58 games with the Angles. The deal is currently pending a physical and would be for just the 2017 season.

[Updated: 02/15/17]

The Mets have officially announced the deal with Fernando Salas after the righty passed his physical earlier this week. The one-year deal is worth $3 million.

According to CBS New York, Salas’ contract also has performance bonuses. The reliever would earn $50,000 extra for reaching 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, and 75 relief appearances throughout the year.

[Original post]

While Salas held a 3.91 ERA throughout the season, his time with the Mets had been quite remarkable. He posted a WHIP of just .635 with a .208 ERA over the course of 17 games. As a Met he has gone two separate stretches of six games without giving up a Run and has 19 Strikeouts over 17.1 Innings.

As a met, Salas had incredible control. Before arriving in Queens he issued one Walk every three innings, 19 in 56.1. He hasn’t allowed a single Walk over his final 17 games. In addition to the stellar Walk rate, his opposing batting average stood at just .177 with the Mets. For comparison sake, Jeurys Familia had three separate months with an opposing batting average of more than .240.

One aspect of Salas’ game that could hurt him though is how often he gives up Home Runs. Three of the four Runs that he gave up were on solo Home Runs, one every 5.7 Innings Pitched.

If Salas can perform anywhere near what he did during the final weeks of the season, he could provide a huge boost to the Mets bullpen in 2017. In 2016 Salas had made $2.4 Million. While the deal amount is still unknown, if Salas is used correctly, it should be more than worth it.

New York recently signed Tom Gorzelanny to a minor league deal. If he can make it to the club, Salas and himself could give the Mets bullpen a small but definitely significant boost that could change the way that the Mets finish out games.

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These two will be joined by Familia and Addison Reed, along with the rest of their bullpen as they work towards another postseason appearance in 2017.

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