Mets Rumors: Jeurys Familia, Dellin Betances are on the trade block

With activity picking up on the hot stove, the latest New York Mets rumors are continuing to project the organization as one of the more active teams before camps open up next week. The latest speculation comes from SNY Reporter Andy Martino who has stated that “the Mets have been trying to find takers for Dellin Betances and Jeurys Familia’s contracts.”

This development doesn’t come as much of a surprise considering both relievers carry high salaries heading into Spring Training, and results certainly have been mixed, to say the least from both pitchers. Familia carries an $11.7 million figure while Betances will earn $6.8 million in 2021. It’s also notable that while Familia is scheduled to be a free agent after the 2021 season, Betances has a potential player vesting option for 2022.

I had previously outlined in another article three potential trades that would make sense for the Mets to deal Familia and his salary. Out of both pitchers, Familia would seem the most likely to be dealt away, as there are significant question marks surrounding the health of Dellin Betances coming into camp next week. Betances who struggled with injuries and velocity in 2020 posted an unsightly 7.71 ERA, 2.06 WHIP, and 11/12 strikeout to walk ratio in 11.2 innings pitched.

While Familia had a bit of a bounce-back in 2020 by posting a 3.71 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 23/19 strikeout to walk ratio in 26.2 innings pitched, he still largely struggled with his command. Yet it’s still an improvement from the disastrous 2019 campaign in which Familia pitched to a 5.70 ERA over 60 innings pitched.

The latest Mets rumors involve the front office seeking to deal relief pitchers Jeurys Familia and Dellin Betances as both pitchers’ salaries combine for $18.5 million in 2021.

The Mets certainly have a surplus of right-handed pitchers in their bullpen, which makes both pitchers expendable, especially with the latest interest in a reunion with left-hander Justin Wilson. A trade of either Familia or Betances would potentially open a spot in the bullpen as well as financial flexibility for the Mets to sign Wilson. However, it’s important to note that it’s currently uncertain to this point whether any potential suitors could be involved in these latest Mets rumors surrounding both Familia and Betances.

It may be very difficult for the Mets to move one of these pitchers without eating a portion of either player’s salary unless there is a swap of bad contracts involved. Another potential option would be including either player in a deal for a more expensive player such as Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant to offset the contract the Mets would be taking on.

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As we approach the beginning of Spring Training, look for the Mets rumors to continue to circulate around both pitchers, among others as it appears General Manager Zack Scott and Team President Sandy Alderson are far from done in making moves to upgrade the roster as well as free up payroll for other ventures.