MLB Rumors: Mets Looking Into Another Reunion With Former Closer

The New York Mets had been one of the busiest teams before the lockout, upgrading their starting rotation, outfield and infield with a series of quality moves. But according to reports, they also have an eye on their bullpen. 

Mets beat reporter Mike Puma cites sources as saying that the team had "maintained contact with the right-hander’s camp" before the lockout. 

Familia has spent most of his 10-year major league career with the Mets, a team for whom he compiled 94 saves in a two-year span in 2015-16. More recently, he's served as a secondary piece in the bullpen, though doing it reasonably well, keeping his ERA below 4 the past two seasons, along with a K/9 rate in 2021 of 10.9.

As Puma suggests, however, Familia would remain a secondary option as the Mets continue to look to fortify the back end of their 'pen once business resumes after the lockout. He points to Craig Kimbrel and Kenley Jansen as potential top-of-the-line targets. 

Kimbrel would have to be acquired by trade, as the Chicago White Sox picked up the $16M option on the closer with the intention of dealing him.

Jansen, on the other hand, is a free agent who still might be in demand, despite his advancing age (34). He had another solid season anchoring the Los Angeles Dodgers' bullpen in 2021, posting 38 saves with a 2.22 ERA. 

The bullpen is another piece of the puzzle the Mets would like to address, after adding third baseman Eduardo Escobar, outfielders Starling Marte and Mark Canha, and of course, vaunted starting pitcher Max Scherzer, all as part of their impressive free agent blitz before the shutdown. 

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