The Mets are reportedly searching for potential takers in a trade for relievers Dellin Betances and Jeurys Familia, per SNY’s Andy Martino, but MLB insider Jon Heyman joined Moose & Maggie on Thursday afternoon and stressed the difficulty of moving those two bullpen arms.
Betances, approaching 33 years old and coming off a shortened season where he appeared in just 15 games after recovering from an Achilles injury, is in the final year of a two-year, $14 million contract, while Familia, 31, is in the last year of a three-year, $30 million deal.
Reports have suggested that the Mets’ motivation to deal the two former All-Stars could be to free up payroll and bullpen flexibility, but after making runs at three big-time free agents in George Springer, J.T. Realmuto, and Trevor Bauer, Heyman doesn’t see financial flexibility being a major focal point for Steve Cohen and the Mets.
“I don’t think balancing the budget is an issue at this point,” Heyman said. “They tried for three guys at over $100 million each and didn’t get any of them, so money isn’t the issue there. I’d say if anything they need to be a little more left-handed.
If they can find a lefty out there, maybe Tony Watson. There are lefties out there. I’m not going to suggest Oliver Perez on this show, I know we’re in New York, but he was good in Cleveland. But there’s Tony Watson and some other lefties out there that could help them. I do think they’re a little right-handed. I’d say that’s more the issue.”
New York’s desire to trade Betances and/or Familia could be to create room for more lefty arms rather than freeing up finances, with Watson and former Yankee and Met Justin Wilson being another option, but Heyman believes the Mets are also closely monitoring the remainder of the starting pitching options after missing out on Bauer.
“They’re definitely looking at the starting market,” Heyman said. “They’re going to look at these starters. Taijuan Walker is still out there, [James] Paxton, [Jake] Arrieta, [Jake] Odorizzi. It doesn’t seem like they’re in on Odorizzi. He has a pretty high asking price at around three years and $45 million. Obviously he’s been healthy, so in this market right now, he’s probably the top guy out there. But I’d say any of the others are possible. Obviously Bauer was the big fish and they gave it a good shot.”
Listen to Heyman's full interview with Moose & Maggie below!
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