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Mets Sign Trevor May

By Steve Adams | December 2, 2020 at 5:15pm CDT

DEC. 2: The deal is official. It’s a $15.5MM guarantee, Jeff Passan of ESPN tweets. May could make another $250K in performance bonuses in each season.

DEC. 1, 4:07pm: May’s contract is worth around $15MM, Heyman tweets.

2:10pm: It’s a two-year deal for May, per MLB Network’s Jon Heyman (Twitter link).

1:37pm: The Mets have agreed to terms on a contract with free-agent reliever Trevor May, SNY’s Andy Martino reports (via Twitter). The contract is pending a physical. MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo reported earlier this afternoon that May and the Mets were “deep” in talks. May is represented by the VC Sports Group.

Trevor May | Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

May, 31, becomes the first prominent reliever to come off the board. The longtime Twins righty bounced back from Tommy John surgery that wiped out his 2017 season to become a reliable, late-inning power arm in Minnesota and one of the game’s foremost strikeout pitchers.

Since returning from that elbow operation, May has compiled 113 innings of 3.19 ERA and 3.56 FIP ball, averaging 12.2 strikeouts, 3.0 walks and 1.4 home runs per nine innings pitched. This past season was particularly impressive for May in terms of missing bats, as he whiffed an outstanding 39.6 percent of the hitters he faced.

May’s fastball averaged a career-high 96.4 mph in 2020, although the righty threw the pitch at a greatly reduced 52.1 percent clip. In place of the heaters, the right-hander ramped up the use of his slider to a career-high 32.2 percent and did so to great success; May generated a 14.6 percent swinging-strike rate on his slider, and plate appearances he finished with that pitch resulted in opponents putting up a pitiful .167/.167/.250 batting line.

Because he works at the top of the zone with his four-seamer, May has trouble with the long ball at times. However he also generated a ridiculous 20.6 percent swinging-strike rate on his fastball thanks to high-end velocity and spin on the pitch. Overall, Statcast pegged May in the 99th percentile of Major League pitchers in terms of swinging-strike rate and in the 98th percentile in terms of overall strikeout rate in 2020. For a Mets club that already boasts several power arms at the back of the bullpen, May only adds more firepower.

Of course, many of those arms are in need of a rebound. It’s arguable that if Jeurys Familia, Dellin Betances and others had all pitched to their capabilities in 2020, the Mets might not have felt as motivated to make a push for an “early” deal with May. Still, pairing May with Edwin Diaz, Familia, Betances, Miguel Castro, Brad Brach and potentially Seth Lugo — depending on which direction the organization goes with him — gives the Mets a deep and talented mix of late-inning weapons, even if they there’s some considerable inconsistency among the bunch.

May was no doubt highly recommended and perhaps even personally recruited by Mets pitching coach Jeremy Hefner, who was the Twins’ bullpen coach prior to the 2020 season. Hefner, a former Mets pitcher, played a role in helping to coax a breakout from May and several other Twins relievers before being hired away by his former team.

The May signing is the first notable move of what most expect to be a highly active offseason for the Mets. While they’re still on the search for a new general manager, Sandy Alderson is back with the club under deep-pocketed new owner Steve Cohen and is calling the shots in baseball operations at the moment. With the game’s richest owner now in their corner, the Mets have already been linked to the majority of the top names on both the trade and free-agent markets.

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New York Mets Newsstand Transactions Trevor May

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View Comments (189)

Comments

  1. Metsfan9

    2 years ago

    That should help our bullpen. Nice signing

    Reply
    • parx

      2 years ago

      He was my favorite fortnite streamer back in the old days

      Reply
      • BlueJayFan1515

        2 years ago

        I miss those days lol, he made pretty good content

        Reply
    • SheaGoodbye

      2 years ago

      I feel like I’ve been saying this each of the last several years, but the pen always ends up underperforming regardless. We could sign five Mays and the end result would be no different.

      It’s still a good signing, of course. It’s just frustrating to seemingly never end up with positive volatility/luck in the pen. We’re overdue.

      Reply
      • Far Beyond Driven

        2 years ago

        Last few years we always had a few crappy relievers in the bullpen. Signings like these replace the trash with a quality arm. Give Cohen a chance to build us a winner. He’s doing everything right so far.

        Reply
        • jbigz12

          2 years ago

          Well Steve has only signed Trevor May and said he’s going to spend money. TBD on how he is doing. BVW blew some cash on relievers too. We’ll see how the rest of the offseason goes.

        • SheaGoodbye

          2 years ago

          Diaz, Familia, Betances, Lugo + some other decent arms was a crappy bullpen to you? In hindsight, yes, but the expected performance was much higher than the reality. Granted, you can partly blame Brodie for investing a lot of dollars in the volatile reliever market, but that would still remain true.

          Obviously, none of this has to do with Cohen or Sandy. Just feels like we’re a little bit cursed with the pen. Then again, maybe that was more a result of the Wilpon virus than anything else so maybe everything will change from here on out.

    • ChiSox_Fan

      2 years ago

      And takeaway from Twins!
      Good for Sox.

      Reply
  2. MetsFan22

    2 years ago

    Where do he fit in?? I’m assuming 7th inning

    Reply
    • oleosmirf

      2 years ago

      Depends on Lugo. and the rest of the offseason. Right now he’s the 8th inning guy.

      Reply
      • MetsFan22

        2 years ago

        Assuming lugo is in the bullpen he is 7th right? But yes if lugo is a starter(I hope not) he is 8th

        Reply
      • Luc 2

        2 years ago

        so many righties lmao

        Reply
    • kodiak920

      2 years ago

      They already have the beat bullpen in baseball.

      Reply
      • kodiak920

        2 years ago

        Best

        Reply
        • Ducky Buckin Fent

          2 years ago

          No, @kodiak.

          You were right the first time.

        • lowtalker1

          2 years ago

          No they don’t… two top pens are in the nl west for the national league

        • rule-5-draft-dodger

          2 years ago

          LOL

      • bestno5

        2 years ago

        Every time that claim is made the “best bullpen” tends to get blown up

        Reply
        • baseballpun

          2 years ago

          Best bullpen and best lineup of any team that ever tied for last place.

      • DarkSide830

        2 years ago

        you Mets fans need to chill

        Reply
        • 22Leo

          2 years ago

          You didn’t get the memo? The Mets are the best team ever assembled!

        • Ducky Buckin Fent

          2 years ago

          Ya know, it’s funny & all, but I understand where Mets fans are coming from right now.

          Now, I was raised proper; Yanks, Jints, Kicks, Rangers. But not everyone had that advantage & hey, everybody makes mistakes, man. Mets fans have always had this huge little brother complex.
          Ya know?

          For example, Yankee hate amongst Mets fans is – more or less – universal. Whereas Yankee fans pay very little attention to the Mets.

          So against that backdrop they’ve been saddled with terrible ownership & the whole “LolMets” thing. They are *really* excited about the new ownership. & rightly so!

          I know they’re coming across as rather boastful homers these days. But it’s kind of explainable. I think we all just need to give them a little time to get back in sync with reality.

          (blinkblink)

        • VonPurpleHayes

          2 years ago

          I’m not a Mets fan, but this post, and the playful arrogance is why Mets fans hate Yankee fans. That and the ridiculous trade proposals heard on WFAN daily. It’s not a little sibling complex. It’s the smugness and the talk of championships from the 1920s as if any fan alive had something to do with that.

        • Ducky Buckin Fent

          2 years ago

          I’m startled that you listen to WFAN daily, man. But, yeah, that whole “27 championships” thing gets old.
          I get it.
          I don’t even care for it.

          Me? Two dynasties & a spare World Series championship. I had nothing to do with them but at least they’re historically relevant. I’m fortunate to have been a fan of 7(!) World Series winning teams, a few extra pennants, & haven’t cheered for a baseball team with a losing record in…what?, about a quarter century now?

          So there *is* all that.

        • VonPurpleHayes

          2 years ago

          Winning is easy. Losing builds character. But yeah…WFAN is pretty terrible these days.

        • MoRivera 1999

          2 years ago

          VonPurpleHayes

          You talk smugly about the Mets far more often than any Yankees fan around here. As Ducky said, mostly we ignore the Mets. As for trade proposals, are you actually listening to WFAN? Cause you spend a lot of time right here. Or are you just repeating old talking points? What I do know is that trade proposals here on MLBTR basically all suck. They almost all get panned. And very few of them come from Yankee fans. They come from all fandoms represented here. And they pretty much all stink, at least according to commenters here. So the noise about bad proposals from NYY fans is just that: noise. It’s just stuff haters say. They single the NYY fans out for things they themselves do. Because they’re hypocrites on top of being haters.

        • Ducky Buckin Fent

          2 years ago

          “Winning is easy. Losing builds character.”

          Thank goodness for the Knicks then.

        • Ducky Buckin Fent

          2 years ago

          Do you remember Mr Axisa & River Ave Blues?

          MTPS/YTPS = My/your trade proposal sucks.

          Totally correct. Every fan base has their versions of “trade Andujar for a [sic] ACE”. Sometimes I think the sheer number of Yankee fans makes us responsible for more than our share of these. But that would merely be a function of numbers.
          Ya know?

        • VonPurpleHayes

          2 years ago

          There’s some validity here. I think it’s silly to point out any fanbase as being different from another. People are people. The Yankees just have a lot of fans, and the more people you get, the more likely you are to have ridiculous fans and talks of ridiculous trade proposals. I certainly admit this is not a Yankee problem. It’s every team. But again, let’s look at how all this started. This is a post about a Mets signing. Ducky Buckin Fent felt the need to make a post generalizing and insulting the Mets and their fans while complementing the “greatness” of the Yankees. It was harmless fun and I got a kick out of it, but it’s also the exact reason Yankee fans are called out. You say you don’t care about the Mets, but here we are…on a Mets thread. I care about the NL East, so I’m usually commenting on NL East threads. I don’t talk smugly about the Mets because I’m not a Mets fan. I certainly don’t talk smugly about my team because they’re painfully mediocre.

        • VonPurpleHayes

          2 years ago

          Amen. I’m unfortunately a Knicks fan.

        • Ducky Buckin Fent

          2 years ago

          I’m not here for the Mets. I was interested in the May signing.

          As far as “generalizing & insulting” goes, well you are welcome to your opinion, of course. But I have known more than a few Mets fans in my life & I can see what is making them a little over the top at the moment. If anything, I’m peripherally excited for them.
          Ya know?

          Hal ain’t George but this *might* spur him to sink a few more bucks into the operating costs of daddy’s biz.
          Uh?

          I felt it was more than good natured.
          I guess I could have opted for a more heavy handed approach? Something like, “LolMets the Yankees have won 27 titles pinstripe pride home boiiiiiiii” or some such but that’s not really my style.

          *Nor* was it my intent.
          It’s sports.
          Fan bases rib each other. I don’t think that’s all that earth shattering.

        • VonPurpleHayes

          2 years ago

          @Ducky And I have no problem with it. I simply called out the hypocrisy of Mo saying “We don’t care about the Mets” when commenting about the Mets on a thread about Trevor May. Ribbing is fine. I’m not outraged or anything here. I called it playful arrogance. I’m totally cool with it, but at the same time you got to realize years of playful arrogance have probably driven Mets fans insane. That being said I was never implying you should stop or anything like that.

        • Ducky Buckin Fent

          2 years ago

          Yeah.
          It probably has, huh?

          “I was never implying that you should stop or anything like that.”
          Ok cool.
          I just never know these days when someone is genuinely incensed over something or not.

          I take this old vet out duck hunting sometimes. Super old school fella. He knows how to make duck calls out of an actual ducks vocal cords.
          Anyway, he got me to start throwing a line in the water on the way back. I pick up some bonus pike & crappie doing that.

          I’m generally here to talk baseball.
          But…yeah…sometimes I do throw a line in the water, uh?

        • VonPurpleHayes

          2 years ago

          Yea. Apologies for not expressing my tone, but I was genuinely laughing at your comments. Don’t mean to sound like a debbie downer. All good here!

        • theruns

          2 years ago

          Every fan base has those who are not grounded in reality. And when you get down to it, “reality” is as good as your owner, and the people in your front office. And the Mets suddenly have a very good front office and an absurd amount of money to spend. The money Cohen has almost renders a budget irrelevant…. he has so much money he could put a Dodger-esque payroll on the field for the next 10 years, take in zero revenue, and still have billions left over.

          But the exciting part is that he comes from a business where you are only as good as the brains you hire, and it’s a field where you succeed by hiring thosebrilliant people, staying out of their way and letting them do their jobs.

          The recipe for success with any great ownership.

          He has the potential to turn basically any organization he takes over into a well oiled machine.

        • Ducky Buckin Fent

          2 years ago

          No apologies necessary. For real.

          “& hey everybody makes mistakes, man.” Jeeez I loved that line.

          We’re good.
          I just wanted to be straight up and down with everything. I’m just sick of all the fighting. I can certainly be guilty of it myself. Just trying to be better.

        • Ducky Buckin Fent

          2 years ago

          Yessir, @theruns.

          Tell ya though, I think Cohen sees this as a legitimate business. I don’t think he views it like an art gallery he bought his wife.
          Ya know?

          I don’t believe he has any interest in losing money. Definitely not in the long run. There’s a huge fan base in The City. And not all of those folks are as loyal of fans as most of the fellas on here.

          I was a senior in high school in ’86. I remember being a little shocked to see Mets caps up in the Bronx. And so many of them! I’d also wager that the Nets are more popular than the Knicks right now. Bet it’s hella close anyhow.

          I think Cohen will definitely spend some loot on the Mets. A lot of it. I bet he’ll also make some loot on the Mets. A lot of it.

        • rule-5-draft-dodger

          2 years ago

          He’ll spend money to make money. I think that works if he spends it the right way. And we haven’t seen Sandy as a GM with cash to spend. CN’t wIt to see how it all plays out.

        • Ducky Buckin Fent

          2 years ago

          Exactly, @dodger.

          And, one way to make money is postseason success. Off-season tickets sales increase, for example.

          I’ve tried to figure it out in the past but near as I can tell, a franchise stands to make *at least* 20 mil per playoff series. That’s a lot of competitive balance tax, contacts, etc.

        • metfan4ever

          2 years ago

          But Yankee fans die when they didn’t win a W/S. Met fans go on with our lives. Also Yankee stadium is in a he’ll hole. I lived on 170th andd went to Cardinal Hayes. We don’t have hookers Hinding in the concaves of the 4 train pillars. @ 16 we would go into the bar on the corner and be severed without being carded. That might be why only Cole Signed with them . Its a hellhole

        • Ducky Buckin Fent

          2 years ago

          Getting served in a bar at *sixteen*!?

          Well…why did you wait so long?

        • lordd99

          2 years ago

          I still read Mike twice a week on his Patreon blog. Totally worth the $3 a month.

        • johnnydubz

          2 years ago

          @darkside830 right after LOLMETS dies out. People talk about Bobby Bonilla day as if getting David Wright and a shot at the WS is a bad thing.

        • JackStrawb

          2 years ago

          @metfan4ever Hookers, and bars at 16 without being carded?

          Please explain why that would be a “hellhole” to a teenager.

        • Ducky Buckin Fent

          2 years ago

          It’s a Mets thing, @strawb.
          We wouldn’t understand.

        • JackStrawb

          2 years ago

          Alas, great Ducky, you’ve hit the nail.

        • Brac2brac

          2 years ago

          @22Leo

          Yeah lots of Metsies homers running around and they do provide amusement, but they’ve also suffered a tremendous amount especially the ones that also root for J-E-T-S… poor sods.

          Let’s hope Super Steve delivers all that the Metsies fans are touting. It’ll be fun to watch especially if we get another subway series while Degrom is still dominant.

        • Brac2brac

          2 years ago

          @theruns. (thetrots to his friends..)

          NYM do NOT have a very good FO. They have a rich owner and a 73 year old retred Executive.
          They aren’t getting to interview many of the FO candidates they’d like (Super Steve is finding out that other teams have talented executives and won’t just roll over to help his business) and a good longterm prospect Chris Young bailed out after meeting with them (‘I don’t want to move my family’ is a crock. He saw something he didn’t like and it was probably significant since a GM job with a big market team is a big deal. Doubley so since we all think the NYM are on the upswing)

          This is exactly what people here are amused by from Metsies homers.

        • parkers

          2 years ago

          Oh oh Yankee fan worried that Mets can now buy a championship like the Yanks used to.

      • of9376

        2 years ago

        Best? That’s a stretch. Outside of Lugo and May, everyone else is a complete wild card.

        Reply
        • MetsKnicks49ers

          2 years ago

          DIaz was pretty insane last season, but claiming we have the best BP is laughable. Familia and betances are insults to garbage fires, DIaz is utterly dominant when he’s on, but gives up far too many long balls (although his BABIP has to come down at some point) Wilson is a FA, and Lugo may be in the rotation. Let’s hope we move Lugo back and sign Bauer along with one of Kluber/Paxton/Quintana/Lester.

        • rule-5-draft-dodger

          2 years ago

          Diaz should set up for May, not the other way around. Diaz has the best strikeout numbers but he also has been too homer prone and has as mediocre a number as any reliever when it come to inherited runners scored/inherited numbers. That stat says as much about pitching with pressure on you as any stat.

        • VonPurpleHayes

          2 years ago

          Diaz didn’t have to throw in front of fans. Huge difference for him.

        • rule-5-draft-dodger

          2 years ago

          *** inherited runners *** , sorry

        • johnnydubz

          2 years ago

          @VonPurpleHayes that explains why he was good in Seattle with no pressure

        • JackStrawb

          2 years ago

          @MetsKnicks49ers That’s right. People are being seduced by may’s eyepopping K rate.

          Essentially he’s in Justin Wilson’s tier despite the difference in their peripherals. He’s a slight upgrade, and if he gets lucky on HR on all the flyballs he gives up he might luck into an elite year, but he’s still basically Justin Wilson with more Ks and more HRs.

          The Mets are still treading water.

        • JackStrawb

          2 years ago

          @rule-…

          HR rates:

          Diaz, 2018-2020, 1.3 HR/9
          May: 2018-2020; 1.4 HR/9
          Diaz: 2017-2020 1.3 HR/9

      • pinstripes17

        2 years ago

        LOL!!!

        Reply
      • JoeBrady

        2 years ago

        They already have the beat bullpen in baseball.
        ——————————————————
        Technically, they are #19 in ERA. But if you erased the ‘9’, then they’d be #1.

        Reply
        • Ducky Buckin Fent

          2 years ago

          Lol

          “And Brady connects with the receiver in the end zone!”

        • Brac2brac

          2 years ago

          and 42(Mo & Jackie) +1 (NYM bullpen) = 43 (Brady’s age)

          See it’s all related

    • kodiak920

      2 years ago

      Guys, guys, relax. I was joking. I guess it gets lost in typing.

      Reply
      • Yankee Clipper

        2 years ago

        No, Kodiak, you were serious

        Reply
        • 22Leo

          2 years ago

          Yeah, there is no indication of joking in that original post. He is just embarrassed by it now.

        • vtadave

          2 years ago

          Embarrassed by saying that a team coming off a 4.60 bullpen ERA had the best bullpen in baseball? nah

      • kodiak920

        2 years ago

        I thought who I was responding to, would have made it obvious. I guess not. You still need to relax.

        Reply
        • kodiak920

          2 years ago

          I am not even a Mets fan.

    • wjf010

      2 years ago

      he fits in wherever you don’t need that devastating 3 run homer

      Reply
  3. mlb1225

    2 years ago

    Well, 1-3 with the only one being Smyly.

    Reply
  4. twinsfan368

    2 years ago

    Wow dang

    Reply
    • ohyeadam

      2 years ago

      Yep

      Reply
  5. king joffrey

    2 years ago

    It may.

    Reply
  6. Mrtwotone

    2 years ago

    Lucky guess on my part

    Reply
  7. Mets fan CA

    2 years ago

    Good signing…get the pen solid and maybe then Lugo gets put in the back end of the rotation. Springer will be next…LGM!!!

    Reply
    • Kirk Nieuwenhuis For MVP

      2 years ago

      I get why they might keep Lugo as a starter, I just feel it’s a waste of his ability.

      Reply
  8. VonPurpleHayes

    2 years ago

    “It’s gonna be May” -Justin Timberlake

    Like the move. Never enough bullpen help.

    Reply
  9. Angels & NL West

    2 years ago

    Well done, Mets. I was hoping the Angels would sign May.

    Reply
    • bluesky

      2 years ago

      Same here, I had him going to the Halos for my predictions.

      Reply
  10. twins33

    2 years ago

    As a Twins fan, I’ll miss him. Think he’s a bit underrated.

    Reply
  11. Frickster1402

    2 years ago

    Wtf Red Sox

    Reply
  12. Royalsfan12

    2 years ago

    Wondering if he’s gonna announce it on his Youtube channel

    Reply
    • Bill M

      2 years ago

      He may

      Reply
  13. ohyeadam

    2 years ago

    I’m gonna guess 3/20

    Reply
  14. twins&mlbfan4ever

    2 years ago

    As a twins fan I died 2 minutes ago

    Reply
    • mnsportsfan

      2 years ago

      Bad loss, we need him in the pen.

      Reply
      • Ducky Buckin Fent

        2 years ago

        Lots of good relievers on the free agent market. I think that’s really it’s strength.
        May has been very good. But so has the Twins front office. Ya know?

        I’d let the off-season play out. I get it, though. It sucks to lose good players, man.

        Reply
    • rule-5-draft-dodger

      2 years ago

      This year you provably will be able to find someone to replace him. It does suck, but as long as they stay away from the likes od FernNdo Rodmey

      Reply
      • rule-5-draft-dodger

        2 years ago

        You should be fine.

        Reply
  15. joshfromifunny

    2 years ago

    Lets go 2/3

    Reply
  16. Play the Game

    2 years ago

    How much?

    Reply
  17. HBan22

    2 years ago

    I think May was one of the better value signings out there for free agent relievers. He’s managed to go somewhat under the radar the past couple years but has been very good.

    Reply
  18. SFBay314

    2 years ago

    wrong trevor, was excited for them for a second

    Reply
  19. RunDMC

    2 years ago

    MLBTR Prediction for May: 2 years/$14M (SF Giants)

    Reply
    • rct

      2 years ago

      They ended up close on the money, 2 years/$15 million.

      Reply
  20. davidk1979

    2 years ago

    Nice signing now dump Brach, Familia and Castro

    Reply
  21. metsie1

    2 years ago

    Good signing. Helps strengthen the bullpen. The fun has just begun.

    Reply
  22. a username

    2 years ago

    I think the Mets could cheap out on guys and still make the playoffs easily there are some really good FA that aren’t number 1 McCann Jackie Bradley believe it or not and they shouldn’t sign Bauer but if they go and get Liam Hendricks or Kirby Yates and McCann and Bradley 1 or 2 in the division

    Reply
    • a username

      2 years ago

      Not to mention someone like Odorizzi or Kluber

      Reply
    • rct

      2 years ago

      The key for the Mets will be starting pitching. If they have health issues or Syndergaard does not pitch well, they will probably still miss the playoffs. As it stands, they should probably sign an SP or two. DeGrom is great, but Stroman just sat out a year, Syndergaard is coming off injury, Matz is very injury prone and inconsistent and average. A lot of question marks.

      Reply
      • rule-5-draft-dodger

        2 years ago

        Syndegaard wont be ready until mid-year, but I will take Peterson over Matz any day

        Reply
      • Dan Hunter

        2 years ago

        What about a starting catcher[Reamulto]
        McCann is very weak and Mets need a CF who is above average fielding and can hit well from right side.

        Reply
        • stymeedone

          2 years ago

          How is McCann “weak?”

        • Dan Hunter

          2 years ago

          compare Jtr and McCann., who is not a leader in and out of the clubhouse

          Cohen has 14..6 billion dollars 4/200 is nothing for him.

        • vtadave

          2 years ago

          Since the beginning of 2019:

          Realmuto: .273/.333/..492, 112 wRC+
          McCann: .276/.334/.474, 116 wRC+

          Of course Realmuto will get far more money as he’s younger with a longer track record, but McCann isn’t chopped liver here.

        • Dan Hunter

          2 years ago

          its the leadership JTR brings.

        • VonPurpleHayes

          2 years ago

          Does he even lift?

        • rct

          2 years ago

          @Dan Hunter: lmao if you think Realmuto is getting 4/200 in a year where teams made way less than they normally do, you’re off your rocker. Did you mean 8/200 or 4/100?

        • rule-5-draft-dodger

          2 years ago

          Cohen didnt make his billions making stupid deals. 200 M is an overpay and you are only bidding against yourself. Dk yoh work for Scott Boras?

    • metsfan104

      2 years ago

      OK, but who’s your 4 and 5 starting pitchers? Matz? (if tendered) or Lugo (if not in the pen). Thor won’t be back until June.

      Reply
      • Dan Hunter

        2 years ago

        Snell could be one via trade.

        Reply
    • VonPurpleHayes

      2 years ago

      They need starting pitching. They have 2 starters and then zip. (Noah is a huge question mark.) Also the idea that McCann will be cheap is ridiculous. This was a nice little signing, but it didn’t fill the huge holes the Mets still have.

      Reply
      • Dan Hunter

        2 years ago

        Exactly signing McCann will not help them get to playoffs.

        Snell, Reamulto Hand and Springer will

        Reply
    • hyraxwithaflamethrower

      2 years ago

      I’m on board with going after McCann instead of JTR for the value, but you’re kidding yourself if you think this team is a legit contender after getting a bunch of second-tier guys. Maybe good enough to sneak into the playoffs, but not a real contender. Hendriks is top-shelf, but most relievers only have so much value and their performance can fluctuate quite a lot year-to-year. I think they should get at least one of Bauer, Springer, or JTR for this offseason to be a success.

      Reply
      • Dan Hunter

        2 years ago

        Bauer is unproven over several years.

        Reply
        • rct

          2 years ago

          Bauer does not want to sign a long term deal, though.

    • JackStrawb

      2 years ago

      @a username

      The Mets surely need two very good SPs if they want to go anywhere in the postseason.

      Signing Bauer then trading for one of the Darvish / Greinke / Lynn tier would turn the rotation into one of the best in the majors while also creating the depth necessary to survive losing a starter for half a season or more.

      We know Alderson won’t go near that kind of move, but if the Mets want to do more than make the wildcard then lose the NLDS, that’s the kind of move they need to make. Otherwise it’s just a continuation of the Wilpon years at a slightly higher level.

      Reply
  23. jim stem

    2 years ago

    Nice, solid signing. May projects to be either the rh’ed set up man or possible closer option if we deal Diaz. The less we have to depend on impactful innings from Betances and Familia, the better until they prove reliable.

    The caveat to his signing also allows Lugo to remain in the rotation or as a very valuable, multiple inning swing man. It also creates wiggle trade room if they need to include Lugo in a deal. But unless a deal involving Lugo is a major upgrade, I hope we keep him.

    Reply
  24. Brac2brac

    2 years ago

    Nice. Solid, not glamorous, but a sound decision that doesn’t impede other moves. Stringing a bunch of these together builds depth at the ML level.

    Reply
  25. Bill M

    2 years ago

    Agree. I think May was easily one of the top 10 FA relievers available, but I’m not sure if he’s top 5. It begs the question, do the Mets go after another big name reliever, knowing they still need a number 2 starter, a number 4 starter, and a catcher? That’s a lot of holes to fill. Not to mention CF

    Reply
    • Kirk Nieuwenhuis For MVP

      2 years ago

      My hunch is that they won’t make any other major bullpen moves. Like you said, there are just tons of needs to address, and the bullpen (while full of question marks) does have a full contingent of guys on major league contracts

      Reply
      • rule-5-draft-dodger

        2 years ago

        Can the Mets thrive with a rotation of deGrom, Stroman, Peterson, Lugo, Syndegaard, with Matz running long-man/spot starting? One more starter would make me feel more confortable.

        Reply
        • Dan Hunter

          2 years ago

          Lugo has a torn shoulder and Matz needs his mind examined.

        • Bill M

          2 years ago

          It may take 2 starters for me to get comfortable. Mets are a better team with Lugo in the pen, not the rotation. I think that became evident last year.

        • rct

          2 years ago

          Syndergaard will still miss time at the beginning of the season and Stroman just sat out a full year. They need a minimum of one good starter. I would not feel comfortable unless they get one good starter and at least one mid-tier guy.

        • rule-5-draft-dodger

          2 years ago

          I agree with the Matz comment. Is Lugo hurt?

    • JackStrawb

      2 years ago

      @ Bill M

      May is just the Mets treading water thus far. He’s Wilson replacement in the context of the beginning of December and nothing beyond that for now—maybe a very slight upgrade, but nothing more than that.

      You’re right about the major holes. They should probably emphasize starting pitching, since reasonably priced, fairly solid options are available in CF and C should skimping there by necessary. They might even go for a couple of very cheap defense-only catchers.

      Every team has holes somewhere. The Rays made the WS with far less in the way of frontline talent than the Mets had, and couldn’t find even league average bats for any of the OF spots or DH.

      Alderson is surely not the guy to build this team, though. He prefers patching and filling across the roster to getting premium talent while finding skilled, flawed players to fill remaining holes. It’s a pity.

      Reply
  26. pwndroia

    2 years ago

    I don’t believe this is good until I see it. Mets historically have not had success with FA signings lately.

    Reply
    • hyraxwithaflamethrower

      2 years ago

      Ok, but it’s not a Mets thing. It’s a Wilpon thing. Cohen has made some changes to the leadership team and will (hopefully) have different priorities and ways of evaluating players. I’m not a Mets fan, but it seems like a good time for you. Enjoy what’s coming.

      Reply
      • pwndroia

        2 years ago

        I’m not a Mets fan either. I think they have an outside chance of competing nearly every year with that rotation. If things click

        Reply
      • lordd99

        2 years ago

        Yes. The Mets have simply been not run optimally (trying not to be insulting) under the Wilpon’s. That should change under Cohen.

        Reply
    • Canosucks

      2 years ago

      #pwndroia

      Met’s reason for bad success in recent FA signings is gone so be happy.
      This is not a BVW move! We have not sold our present and future

      Reply
    • Dan Hunter

      2 years ago

      Bauer is unproven over several years.

      Reply
  27. padam

    2 years ago

    Would’ve preferred Hand, but can’t complain.

    Reply
    • whynot

      2 years ago

      Kinda sounds like you just did

      Reply
  28. mlbnyyfan

    2 years ago

    They got the wrong May they should of traded for Dustin

    Reply
    • vtadave

      2 years ago

      And what could the Mets possibly offer the Dodgers for Dustin May?

      Reply
  29. whyhayzee

    2 years ago

    Now they got May taken care of they need to focus on October. Let’s go Mets!

    Reply
  30. fffbbb

    2 years ago

    With his injury history and Mets luck, likely announce in April he needs TJ surgery.

    Reply
  31. canikickit

    2 years ago

    “It’s arguable that if Jeurys Familia, Dellin Betances and others had all pitched to their capabilities in 2020, the Mets might not have felt as motivated to make a push for an “early” deal with May”

    Familia was a horrendous investment that never should’ve been brought back in the first place. With the time off Betances has had before coming to the Mets, it was always gonna be a big gamble. The thing that I’m glad will be gone from previous ownership is going off hope by shopping for what they saw as bargains & guys that are shells of their previous form as opposed to bringing in actual solid additions in FA.

    Reply
    • Cosmo2

      2 years ago

      This whole narrative of how the Wilpons never spend on anything but re-treads is so old. Familia was a good move at the time, coming off mostly very good play, and certainly not a bargain.

      Reply
      • rule-5-draft-dodger

        2 years ago

        No it wasn’t. It was a favor to Omar. It was an overpay at the time, too. The Mets bid against themselves.

        Reply
      • wright1970

        2 years ago

        Cosmo, yes the Wilpons spent money on players but never the right ones!! And they rarely hired smart baseball people to run the team and then interfered with their hires when things didnt go right!!. sooo happy they are gone

        Reply
        • Cosmo2

          2 years ago

          Oh yea, don’t get me wrong, I’m glad they’re gone.

    • lordd99

      2 years ago

      Yes, it was the type of free agents the Wilpon’s went after. Betances, for example, was devastating for five seasons. He was injured the last year on the Yankees, but supposedly healthy for 2020. The Yankees didn’t even attempt to sign him. That was a red flag. They knew his medicals better than anyone.

      Reply
    • JackStrawb

      2 years ago

      @canikickit

      At this point Familia, Betances, and Brach should be treated as NRIs. They shouldn’t be close to having locked down a spot on the 8-man bullpen depth chart just because they’re being paid (a lot in the first 2 instances).

      The Wilpons never seemed to understand “sunk costs’ and the team lost games because of it. I’m sure Cohen does, but it will be interesting to see how these three are treated as we go into 2021.

      Cohen will understand sunk costs—but does Alderson? When he had the opportunity to evince an understanding of them, he didn’t always.

      Reply
  32. rule-5-draft-dodger

    2 years ago

    Please let Diaz set up for May, not the other way around.

    Reply
  33. Dorothy_Mantooth

    2 years ago

    I’m not a Mets fan but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. Good signing by Sandy & the gang. The Mets striking first in the RP market sends a message to the other teams that Cohen is prepared to put his money where his mouth is. This signing (along with the non-tenders due tomorrow) should really heat up the hot stove market and FA signings. It’s going to get fun to watch real soon.

    Reply
  34. jvent

    2 years ago

    They need some lefties too, resign J.Wilson and sign Hand, if they keep Matz he can be the 3rd lefty in the pen, now sign Springer,McCann and Bauer. With all those righties in the pen maybe let Lugo be the 5th SP if they sign Springer McCann and Bauer. Rotation. DeGrom,Bauer,Stroman,Peterson and Lugo( till Syn comes back).

    Reply
    • Canosucks

      2 years ago

      Matz can be fixed as a starter. Mickey Mouse Callaway messed up his delivery.
      Matz had a natural way of hiding the ball and Mickey Mouse told him no you need to get your arm out first and not drag it behind your body. Now he is a pitching machine for right handed hitters.

      Reply
    • JackStrawb

      2 years ago

      With all their other holes, it would be odd to sign May, Wilson, and Hand for around 22m AAV combined.

      Reply
  35. whosehighpitch

    2 years ago

    Is Jenrry Mejia still suspended or banned? He would be a great piece for the Mets to pick back up

    Reply
    • BadBenjamin

      2 years ago

      Is that a joke or are you serious? I can’t tell but I can tell you no.

      Reply
      • whosehighpitch

        2 years ago

        The guy didn’t pitch that bad although he was on the juice a lot

        Reply
        • DarkSide830

          2 years ago

          he hasnt pitched since last year. dont think he did too hot in the Red Sox system.

    • Cosmo2

      2 years ago

      No thanks

      Reply
    • Canosucks

      2 years ago

      Yeah whosehighpitch; Mejiia and Cano can compare recipes

      Reply
  36. connfyoozed

    2 years ago

    That’s a whole lot of possibly good righty relievers to pair with absolutely no lefties.

    Reply
  37. prov356

    2 years ago

    Excuse me, Mr. Moreno? Um, sorry to bother you, but this is the time to add pitching to your team like the Mets just did. If you need help, I’m sure Mr. Cohen will explain the process to you.

    Reply
    • Yankee Clipper

      2 years ago

      IF this goes the way many expect, and the Mets’ fans hope, I applaud Cohen and hope this signifies the first of many changes in how management is currently operating and evaluating players to sign. We will see …… it seems many are truly content to have a few media-friendly players (Trout) and generate income from them, while doing their best to make the playoffs and reuse the good ol’ college try colloquialism, year in and year out.

      Not every team will operate like the big markets, but the Angels, for example, should’ve advanced farther than what they have during Trout’s tenure, imho. But, I could also be misinformed.

      Reply
      • prov356

        2 years ago

        You are not misinformed, Clipper. Moreno, through his GM’s, has always pieced together a pitching staff with reclamation projects and guys looking to “get back on track” (ala Lincecum). As a result, Trout has been to the playoffs once in his career and we got swept. Some nasty position player contracts haven’t helped, like Hamilton, et al, but he has lacked the will to pay what it takes for valuable arms.

        Some would argue that he offered Cole a ton of money, which is true. But at the end of the day, it wasn’t enough to land him so it’s a hollow argument.

        Reply
        • rule-5-draft-dodger

          2 years ago

          It is too bad Trout hasn’t demanded a trade. He deserves a better team around him, and especially on the pitching mound.

        • prov356

          2 years ago

          Trout chose to play his career in Anaheim knowing the track record of our pitching staff. So he won’t, nor should he, demand a trade. Moreno needs to not just “not reduce spending”, he needs to increase spending to completely overhaul the staff. We are truly a rotation and some key BP arms away from competing.

        • Troutgolfsinoctober

          2 years ago

          He should have absolutely went in on Cole. Harder than what he did. If it costs him 330-40 he still should have done it. What is your alternative to that? You can get some SP, but none will be a caliber of that nature.

          They’ve shown they haven’t changed at all. Still going after wash up pitchers on bargains and buying superstar position players. Seems like the ol grow your arms buy your bats. Problem is they haven’t developed arms obviously. The orioles were the same way when they were good(12-15).

        • rule-5-draft-dodger

          2 years ago

          A rotation is a lot to ask….. and yes, Trout is so loyal to the Angels, he would never do it. But “something” needs to wake Artie from his sleep. Just suggesting it for the shock value, that’s all. Of all position players in the game, I will still love Mike Trout.

  38. cwsAscension

    2 years ago

    Every offseason you see several decent/not great FA 30+ yo middle relievers paid good money, fans claim it is a “solid” move and they become flat out bad right away in new setting. Not saying that is May’s destiny, but some of these best BP claims after this signing are a bit much.

    Reply
    • slider32

      2 years ago

      What you are saying is it’s a crap shoot, teams that win free agency don;t win the world series!

      Reply
      • cwsAscension

        2 years ago

        To a degree, but more like outside of old sluggers (not on PEDs), pricey relievers are the next worst speculative moves.

        Reply
    • JackStrawb

      2 years ago

      That’s correct. If this is the Mets “very slight justin wilson upgrade” move, then it’s fine. But we know it isn’t.. It’s their 20% overpay for the top bullpen arm they’re going to get this offseason.

      Reply
  39. Canosucks

    2 years ago

    Great signing despite cautions on signing relievers; Fortune favors the bold!
    At least we did not have to give up our present and future to sign May as we did in the past; gota love it.

    Reply
  40. lordd99

    2 years ago

    Pricey for a 31-year-old reliever with a history of injuries and a near 4.50 career ERA. Probably will struggle to give 50 innings. Still, might work out.

    Reply
    • Canosucks

      2 years ago

      Agree but…
      After Wacca Mole and Poorfello’s ERA of 6 I will take 4.50 at this point!

      Reply
      • lordd99

        2 years ago

        Oh, I’m pretty sure he’ll outpitch those numbers. He’s been good the last couple of seasons. I’m more curious where the overall market is going. Not seeing discounts…at least yet.

        Reply
        • wright1970

          2 years ago

          7.5 million per season is pretty good value i think

    • JackStrawb

      2 years ago

      Why do people do this? What May did prior to 2018 is irrelevant.

      Reply
  41. BobbyVwannabe

    2 years ago

    He’s solid. Hefner should help keep him focused on pounding the lower half of the strike zone

    Reply
  42. cryptonerd

    2 years ago

    Dodgers should have been in on him at those prices.
    Go get a stud reliever or 2, Friedman

    Reply
  43. Dan Hunter

    2 years ago

    This signing is a whirl in “the gourmet aisle’

    Reply
  44. Biff Pocoroba

    2 years ago

    He’s our hometown boy. It’ll make me a little sad when the Braves tee off on him.

    Reply
    • Troutgolfsinoctober

      2 years ago

      My man biff is too much lol

      Reply
  45. zoocreatures

    2 years ago

    The Heyman tweet link is to one about Minor, not May. Just an FYI

    Reply
  46. Dan Hunter

    2 years ago

    If they sign McCann they will rue the day.

    Reply
  47. MarlinsFanBase

    2 years ago

    Cohen blowing free agency out of the water.

    Reply
  48. of9376

    2 years ago

    Mets getting May for around 7.5Million per year is a steal.

    Reply
    • HBan22

      2 years ago

      Especially for only two seasons. Great signing.

      Reply
  49. JackStrawb

    2 years ago

    May is in the Justin Wilson tier, despite his whiff rate, thanks to his 1..4 HR/9 rate.

    This is a decent signing, but it’s top dollar for a guy who isn’t in Hand’s zip code, let alone Hendriks’, and I fully expect it to be the first of many subtle eff ups of the new SA regime.

    Reply
  50. Dan Hunter

    2 years ago

    Reamulto definitely not McCann or no chance.gty766666

    Reply
  51. Koamalu

    2 years ago

    Rosenthal and Hand just got more expensive.

    Reply
    • Brac2brac

      2 years ago

      @koamalu

      Damn skippy. Should have signed Hand for 2 / 18 first (mr hand this very competitive offer is on the table for 24 hours…)

      Reply
  52. NYCPetrović

    2 years ago

    Good deal.

    Reply

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