Pegged by many to win the National League East in 2017, the New York Mets came undone due to injury and subpar performances from expected key contributors. In particular, their pitching staff was left in shambles because of myriad issues.
Among the Mets’ expected check list of items this winter is addressing their beleaguered bullpen. Jeurys Familia underwent surgery because of a blood clot, Fernando Salas struggled, and Addison Reed was traded to the Boston Red Sox.
The Mets did add reinforcement in the form of A.J. Ramos, whom they acquired from the Miami Marlins. This offseason provides the Mets with a bevy of options, some more formidable than others, to add to their bullpen.
Rather than potentially pursue the likes of Wade Davis or Greg Holland, the Mets reportedly prefer to target Brandon Morrow and other second-tier relievers, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post:
Instead, team brass is expected to choose from a group that includes Bryan Shaw, Brandon Morrow, Luke Gregerson, Brandon Kintzler, Matt Albers and Mike Minor, among others.
Morrow, who signed a Minor League contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers this year, emerged as a viable late-inning complement to Kenley Jansen. This season was Morrow’s first pitching exclusively out of the bullpen since doing so in 60 games for the Seattle Mariners as a rookie in 2007.
Morrow went 6-0 with a 2.06 ERA, 1.55 FIP and 0.92 WHIP in 45 games with the Dodgers this season. He was stellar in the postseason, aside from a rough appearance in Game 5 of the World Series.
Morrow nonetheless became only the second pitcher in MLB history to appear in all seven games of a single World Series.
The 33-year-old expressed a desire to re-sign with the Dodgers, and general manager Farhan Zaidi shared a mutual interest, but the club generally has shied away from doling out lucrative contracts for relievers who aren’t Jansen.
