In the wake of the finalized sale of the New York Mets to hedge fund billionaire Steve Cohen, the Mets have made a couple of transactions and are rumored to be making a third one on Sunday. As free agency officially begins on Sunday there is a lot of speculation on how active the Mets will be.
Dellin Betances
Dellin Betances is expected to exercise his six million dollar option to remain with the Mets. Betances could have taken a three million dollar buyout to become a free agent but is opting to remain in Queens with the Mets. The 2020 season was a rough one for Betances. Betances was coming off a 2019 season where he suffered two major injuries.
After having Tommy John surgery and missing most of the 2019 season with the New York Yankees, Betances came back in September and got injured in his first game back. Betances ruptured his Achilles Tendon and was questionable to start the 2020 season in time with the Mets. With the delayed start of the season, Betances was able to begin the season with the Mets but struggled badly, Betances only pitched in 15 games and had a 0-1 record with a 7.71 ERA and a WHIP of 2,057. He also missed half the season with an elbow injury.
When Betances was healthy he was one of the best relievers in baseball. If he can regain his all-star form, his six million dollar contract would be a bargain. Additionally, if Betances can return to his dominant ways, the new Mets owner has stated he would do anything to keep the Mets competitive.
Dellin Betances is expected to exercise his $6M player option rather than take the $3M buyout and become a free agent
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 1, 2020
Marcus Stroman
The Mets will give Marcus Stroman the 18.9 million dollar qualifying offer before Sunday’s deadline. Stroman has the option of accepting the offer and remaining in the Mets 2021 rotation or declining it and becoming a free agent. If Stroman declines the offer the Mets will receive draft pick compensation. This is a no-brainer for the Mets.
Stroman came to the Mets at the 2019 trading deadline and was supposed to solidify the rotation for the Mets through the 2020 season. In 11 starts in 2019 Stroman had a 4-2 record with a 3.77 ERA and a 1.475 WHIP. The Mets and Stroman expected better numbers. The 2020 season was a contract year for Stroman and the Mets were expecting the best of him. This did not happen.
Due to COVID-19, the season started in late July. Stroman got injured and ultimately decided to opt-out of the season without pitching one inning for the Mets. Stroman has a career ERA of 3.76 with a 1.292 WHIP and would certainly be a welcomed addition to a Mets rotation that currently has several holes.
Mets will give Marcus Stroman the $18.9M qualifying offer before today’s deadline @AnthonyDiComo 1st
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 1, 2020
Brad Brach
Brad Brach has exercised his 2021 player option according to Tim Healey of the Newsday. Brach will make 2.075 million dollars in 2021. Brach was signed by the Mets during the 2019 season and pitched very well. In 16 games Brach was 1-0 with a 3.68 ERA and a 1.227 WHIP. Brach did miss the beginning of the 2020 season with COVID-19 and never seemed to get back on track once he returned. The Mets are hoping he returns to being the pitcher he was in 2019.
Mets news: Brad Brach exercised his player option for 2021, a source says.
That was expected. He is due a $2.075 million salary next year.
— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) October 31, 2020
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