NY Mets offseason grades for the major winter transactions

Mar 1, 2021; Jupiter, Florida, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) returns to the dugout against the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2021; Jupiter, Florida, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) returns to the dugout against the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 9, 2021; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Trevor May (65) delivers a pitch during the fourth inning of a spring training game between the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Mary Holt-USA TODAY Sports /

Mets sign Trevor May to a two-year $15.5 million dollar deal

For years, the Mets bullpen has been among the worst in all of baseball. Trevor May has been one of the better set up men in baseball for the last couple of years and should excel in that role this season and next. The Mets signed May to a two-year $15.5 million-dollar contract.

With the news that Seth Lugo will be out for all of April at least, May will be relied upon heavily to be the main setup man for Edwin Diaz. For the last couple of years with the Twins, May has excelled in this role.

He was the main setup guy for Taylor Rogers in Minnesota and has a combined 37 holds in 40 opportunities the last two years. This is one of the better marks in all of baseball and proves he is extremely reliable late in games, something the Mets have been looking for from guys like Jeurys Familia and Dellin Betances. The 31-year-old May seems to be in the midst of his prime and is coming off of a really good 2020 season.

He appeared in 24 games and went 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA. While the ERA seems a bit high, that was due to his home run rate being as high as it has ever been at 1.9 HR/9. I assume if he had a full-season workload that number would have gone down a bit.

May struck out 38 batters in his 23.1 innings pitched, a 14.7 K/9, the best mark in his career by far. His career average is at 10.7 K/9.

For a bullpen that really needed another high leverage arm, I think May was the perfect get. He has experience in that role and should be the perfect fit. He has postseason experience and fills a crucial hole the Mets needed to fill.

Grade: A