New York Mets: Scouting Veteran Righty Reliever?
By Jason Evans
The New York Mets are looking to improve their bullpen. They’ve gone to look for right-handed help in Venezuela.
So far this offseason, the New York Mets have signed Ben Rowen to a minor league deal. That’s it in terms of bullpen help. Teams look for pitching at all ends of the earth. The Mets are no exception as they are scouting a pitcher in Venezuela who hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2012 in Jose Arredondo.
"The Mets are among teams scouting free-agent RHP Jose Arredondo, who is currently pitching for Bravos de Margarita in the Venezuela winter league."
Arredondo was with the Cincinnati Reds back in 2012, where he went 6-2 with a 2.95 ERA in 66 games. In 61 innings, he struck out 62 while walking 31.
Arredondo was in the minors the following year and pitched in the Dominican Winter League in 2013 and 2014.
He pitched in 2016 for York in the Independent League. In 35 games, he went 1-2 with a 2.25 ERA. In 36 innings, he struck out 39.
For Bravos de Margarita, he is 1-4 with a 3.58 ERA in 31 games.
For the Mets, there is no harm in giving him a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training to see what Arredondo has left in the tank. Closer Jeurys Familia is looking at a suspension. Their other right-handed bullpen options are Hansel Robles, Erik Goeddel and Addison Reed. The other right handed options are all starters like Rafael Montero, Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman.
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The Mets have a glut of outfielders that they would like to deal for relief help. They could use Jay Bruce and or Curtis Granderson to get the help that they need for their bullpen.
Bullpens are usually built on the cheap (don’t tell the Marlins that). Any low-cost option that can get the job done is a good one.