May signs 2-year deal with Mets
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NEW YORK -- In the first significant free-agent splash of the Steve Cohen era, the Mets on Wednesday signed free-agent reliever Trevor May to a two-year deal.
MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reported that the two-year contract is worth around $15 million.
The right-handed May will give the Mets an additional measure of depth at the back of their bullpen, fulfilling a stated goal of new president of baseball operations Sandy Alderson.
May, 31, has posted a 3.19 ERA over the past three seasons with the Twins since returning from Tommy John surgery. He produced a 3.86 mark this year, while his strikeout rate of 14.66 per nine innings ranked seventh in the Majors. May¡¯s 43-percent whiff rate was eighth. His average fastball velocity, which sat at 93.9 mph before surgery, rose for the third straight season to a career high of 96.4 mph, as May scrapped his curveball in favor of additional sliders and four-seam fastballs up in the zone.
¡°I think I learned a lot about what it takes to go and establish yourself at the Major League level,¡± May said Monday during an appearance on MLB Network Radio. ¡°That¡¯s invaluable to me. That¡¯s going to be invaluable as I move forward.¡±
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In New York, May will enter a bullpen mix that includes Edwin D¨ªaz, Jeurys Familia, Dellin Betances, Miguel Castro and Brad Brach, along with potentially Seth Lugo if the Mets don¡¯t use him as a starter. Alderson, who is handling baseball operations decisions while the Mets search for a general manager, has cited the bullpen as an area of concern after the Mets ranked in a tie for 18th in relief ERA (4.60) this season.
¡°We have a number of holes to fill,¡± Alderson said last week. ¡°We talked about starting pitching, outfield, catching; we¡¯d like to enhance the bullpen somewhat. We have a lot of places where we might invest, and it gives us some flexibility.¡±