It seems like all the talk in Queens of late has been about whether Yoenis Cespedes will end up returning to the Mets or not. Despite all the speculation with the Cuban slugger, the Mets were able to address another crucial need as of today. Agreeing to terms with left-handed reliever Antonio Bastardo, the Mets have brought in a veteran reliever who can fill the eighth-inning role that remains vacant with the departure of Tyler Clippard. The news was initially reported by Jon Heyman and is worth $12 million over two years.
Antonio Bastardo agrees to a 2 year/$12M deal with the Mets. Club has not confirmed. @JonHeyman had the agreements first.
— Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) January 21, 2016
Bastardo spent 2015 as a Pittsburgh Pirate, posting a respectable 2.98 ERA in 57.1 innings pitched. The Dominican native was originally signed by the Philadelphia Phillies as an international free agent in 2005. Bastardo joined the Phillies in 2009 as a 23 year-old and spent five seasons in their bullpen. As a member of the Phillies, Bastardo posted a 3.72 ERA in 259 innings, with 324 strikeouts. Bastardo was shipped to the Pirates following the 2014 season in exchange for minor leaguer, Joely Rodriguez.
The left-hander is projected to put up a 3.60 ERA in 60 innings with 62 strikeouts. Bastardo will serve as an important late-inning reliever for the Mets, which was one of their top priorities after losing Clippard to free agency. Terry Collins will also have some added flexibility to use his other lefty relievers (Josh Edgin, Sean Gilmartin, and Jerry Blevins) with Bastardo available for late-game situations.
Antonio Bastardo gets two years, $12 million. So Mets now have pair of setup man, with Addison Reed.
— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) January 21, 2016
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