Will Addison Reed to Jeurys Familia be the formula the Mets trust for late-inning success to start the 2016 season?
With just more than a month remaining until pitchers and catchers report to spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla., team brass is preparing to bank heavily on the unpredictable Reed in the setup role unless something surprising materializes in this remaining — mostly thin — market for relievers.
The 27-year-old Reed is arbitration eligible and figures to receive a contract in the $5.5 million range for next season. He had a strong September for the Mets, but was erratic in the postseason after scuffling with the Diamondbacks for much of the year.
A major league talent evaluator who has seen the right-hander extensively was asked if the Mets should be content with Reed as their main eighth-inning option.
“Definitely no,” the evaluator said.
“He throws too flat a breaking ball, throws hard but straight. He needs a splitter — not a changeup. You can tell he’s not confident against lefties. Plus, he’s tight in late-and-close situations.”
But a second talent evaluator saw potential in Reed.
“With a little tweaking, I think he can be highly effective again,” the evaluator said.
In 17 appearances for the Mets after arriving in a waiver deal, Reed was 1-1 with a 1.17 ERA. In the postseason, he pitched to a 6.43 ERA over nine appearances.
The Mets are continuing to monitor the free-agent market, but remain unlikely to make a multi-year offer to a reliever, according to sources. Team brass has kept tabs on Tommy Hunter, but the right-hander has been seeking multiple years. Lefty Antonio Bastardo also remains unlikely for the Mets, unless he is willing to accept a one-year deal.
Jerry Blevins last month signed a one-year deal worth $4 million that will give the Mets a solid lefty option that can be paired potentially with Josh Edgin, who is returning from Tommy John surgery.
Hansel Robles, Erik Goeddel and Carlos Torres are among the other right-handed possibilities, and the Mets still like Sean Gilmartin, a lefty who isn’t considered a specialist.