Reports connecting Dellin Betances to the Mets had been gaining momentum, but now it is "not likely" that the four-time All-Star reliever will hop the East River to sign with the Amazin's, WFAN baseball insider Jon Heyman reported Tuesday morning.
YES Network's Jack Curry reported Monday night that Betances is unlikely to return to the Yankees in 2020 and that, according to someone who has spoken to the 31-year-old right-hander, the Mets and Phillies were the two teams "that keep popping up." But now it appears the Mets are no longer a front-runner.
Previous reports said the Dodgers and Twins have also expressed interest in Betances.
Betances is believed to be looking for a one-year contract in the $10 million range, Heyman reported.
Free agency has arrived at a lousy time for the Washington Heights native, who is coming off an injury-plagued season in which he appeared in just one game. On Sept. 15, Betances partially tore the Achilles tendon in his left foot when he hopped on the mound after striking out Brandon Drury, the second and final batter he faced in his season.
He was also diagnosed with an impingement in his pitching shoulder after his fourth spring training appearance in March. And his rehabilitation was stopped in June due to a strained right latissimus dorsi muscle.
Betances has spent parts of eight seasons with the Yankees, although three of those years included very limited action. For his career, he has 21-22 record with a 2.36 ERA, 36 saves and 621 strikeouts over 381 2/3 innings.
The bullpen was arguably the Mets' biggest weakness entering the offseason. In 2019, Mets relievers had a 4.95 ERA, which ranked 12th of 15 National League teams. So far this offseason, the Mets have re-signed reliever Brad Brach and added former Yankee and Cardinal Chasen Shreve on a minor-league deal. They have also signed starters Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha, one of whom could end up in the bullpen.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
