Mets Rumors: Dellin Betances could choose between Flushing and Philly

The latest New York Mets rumors report the team is still looking at free agent reliever Dellin Betances. However, the Philadelphia Phillies are also a favorite to sign him.

Good news for New York Mets fans hoping to see some more jolt in the bullpen. The latest Mets rumors from Jack Curry of YES Network reports Dellin Betances probably won’t be headed back to the New York Yankees. However, there is a good chance he stays in the Big Apple.

Per Curry, the Mets are one of two teams favorited to land Betances. The other is the National League East rival Philadelphia Phillies.

Offseason Mets rumors haven’t focused much more than a faint interest in the top free agent relievers. Trade candidate Josh Hader has been and continues to be mentioned by the insiders as a Mets target, but at the cost of unloading multiple pieces to land the hard-throwing reliever, the team looks ready to wisely pivot to a player right under their nose all along: Mr. Betances.

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It’s good news to see Betances’ name appear in Mets rumors. Just last week, it looked as if the team was finished adding to the relief corps. As usual, things change quickly during the offseason.

Signing Betances isn’t as cut and dry as it may have been a few years ago. He missed nearly all of 2019 due to injury. Even so, he has caught the attention of the Mets and Phillies of late.

Interestingly enough, Betances has an already built-in connection with both franchises. He knows Mets manager Carlos Beltran from his time working in the Yankees’ front office. In Philadelphia, he could reunite with former manager Joe Girardi and teammate Didi Gregorius.

It’s fair to believe Gregorius’ decision to play in Philadelphia this season had a lot to do with Girardi’s presence. Now it’s time for Beltran to help convince Betances that Flushing is the place to be. All he may need to do is tell Dellin how frustrating moving from one city to another could be.

The Mets haven’t done much to add to their bullpen this winter. Michael Wacha could find a place there if he’s unable to earn a spot in the rotation. Other than him, the team did re-sign Brad Brach.

These two moves hardly make up for the fact that the team had one of the worst-performing bullpens in Major League Baseball this past season. Surely, even a lesser version of the old Betances would help make them a much better team.

One thing Philadelphia can offer Betances that the Mets cannot is a spot to close. On a one-year deal, this could entice him to sign there to rebuild value.

What the Mets can do is give Betances an opportunity to compete with Edwin Diaz for the closer’s spot. It’s pretty important they do have some sort of backup plan in place in case Diaz has a repeat season as he did in 2019. They shouldn’t, however, make any promises they cannot keep. Betances should only get a chance to compete for the closer’s spot if it’s a real competition. It’s a bad look otherwise.

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Following the Winter Meetings, Mets rumors have softened for the last few days. This latest report on Betances heats up the Hot Stove again. Let’s see them get it done.