The Mets helped bolster their bullpen while trying to make a surprising playoff run, acquiring right-handed relief pitcher Addison Reed from the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to ESPN’s Adam Rubin. The return is two minor leaguers.
The Mets bullpen has gone through its ups and downs this season. Jenrry Mejia got handed a 162 game suspension after failing a second drug test. Former closer Bobby Parnell has struggled to fully recover from Tommy John Surgery. Lefty Eric O’Flaherty has struggled mightily posting an ERA of 15.00 ( 10 ER in 6 IP) since joining the Mets. That means the Mets have had to lean heavily on rookies Sean Gilmartin, Hansel Robles, and Logan Verrett. Reed is a guy with plenty of closing experience, good since Terry Collins loves to throw Jeurys Familia out three or four or five days in a row, and he’s also adept at getting lefties out, holding them to a BAA of .242 this season.
Reed, 26, broke into the league with the White Sox in 2011, and spent the first three seasons of his career there. Reed’s first full season came in 2012 when he appeared in 62 games, converting 29 of 33 save opportunities while striking out 54 in 55 innings pitched, while also logging a 4.75 ERA.
Reed’s best season came the following year, in 2013 when he converted 40 of 48 save opportunities in 68 games, while posting an ERA nearly a run lower at 3.79.
Addison Reed has struggled to keep his ERA in check, posting a 5.92 ERA during his first 25 games, but has just a 1.65 ERA since the All-Star break. His career ERA is 4.20, far higher than many would like to see for any relief pitcher, especially the closer.
While ERA is an area Reed struggles in, he is a big time strikeout reliever. He’s had three seasons when he’s posted more strikeouts than innings, and over his career has 241 strikeouts in 233.2 career innings. Reed also owns a career 9.3 K/9 ratio and a 3.39 K/BB ratio.
Addison Reed will be an immediate impact for the Mets during this playoff run, and for years to come as he’s under contract through 2017.
The Mets record sits at 71-58 entering Saturday, good for first place by 6.5 games. That lead should be safe barring any collapses, mainly from the bullpen.
Addison Reed was acquired to make sure that doesn’t happen.
