Much like their search for a second baseman, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ quest to complete their bullpen has linked them to a myriad options. Although the bulk have been right-handers, the Dodgers were among the clubs to reportedly express interest in Jerry Blevins.
But on Friday, Los Angeles reportedly agreed to a one-year contract with former San Francisco Giants closer Sergio Romo. Assuming the deal is finalized, Romo may be the final reliever the Dodgers ink to a Major-League deal prior to Spring Training.
Shortly after reports of the Brawley, Calif., native making the jump to Los Angeles, Blevins was said to have reached an agreement to re-sign with the New York Mets, via Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball:
Jerry Blevins has deal with mets
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 4, 2017
Blevins’ salary is expected to be in the neighborhood of $6 million, per Ken Davidoff of the New York Post:
#Mets deal with Blevins is for about $6 million guaranteed.
— Ken Davidoff (@KenDavidoff) February 4, 2017
What’s more, the one-year pact also includes an option for 2018, according to James Wagner of the New York Times:
As others have said, Mets & Jerry Blevins have reached a deal. One yr deal with an option, I'm told. Mets have been busy with bullpen today.
— James Wagner (@ByJamesWagner) February 4, 2017
Last week it was reported Blevins was expecting to land a multiyear contract. The veteran left-hander put together a strong season after his 2015 campaign was cut short because of surgery after re-fracturing a bone in his throwing arm.
Blevins signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the Mets in December 2015. He appeared in a career-high 73 games, which triggered $1.2 million in cumulative bonuses.
Blevins went 4-2 with a 2.79 ERA, 3.05 FIP and 1.21 WHIP, while averaging 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings and a 29.2 strikeout rate, both of which were career highs. His re-signing capped off a busy day for the Mets, who also agreed to terms with Fernando Salas and Tom Gorzelanny.
From the Dodgers’ perspective, their reported interest in Blevins was a mild surprise. Los Angeles currently projects to have left-handers Luis Avilan, Grant Dayton, Adam Liberatore and Vidal Nuno vying to be part of the bullpen picture. Dayton, Liberatore and Nuno have Minor League options remaining.
