Welcome back to La Familia

[G-Fafif]

Feliciano left twice, didn't play in the majors and returned. Three pitchers left once, didn't play in the majors and returned.

Terry Leach
Mike Birkbeck
P.J. Conlon

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

I like this signing. Familia, Diaz, Gsellman, and Lugo should be a solid contingent to provide relief and close out games for Jake, Thor (surely the Mets aren't stupid enough to trade him), and Wheeler. Now the Mets need to add a reliable lefty to the pen.

[seawolf17]

Edgy MD wrote: Of course, Pedro Feliciano had a couple of zero-game absences.

That is one of my favorite Mets historical quirks.

[Vic Sage]

Rockin' Doc wrote: I like this signing. Familia, Diaz, Gsellman, and Lugo should be a solid contingent to provide relief and close out games for Jake, Thor (surely the Mets aren't stupid enough to trade him), and Wheeler. Now the Mets need to add a reliable lefty to the pen.

Zamora was impressive last year in a small sample size, but i don't want to have to count on him as the sole LHP in the pen. We need an established LHP to fill out the staff, along with Rule V guy, Dowdy, unless we put Vargas in the pen and put Lugo in the rotation.

[Benjamin Grimm]

That's what I was thinking; Vargas may end up in the bullpen.

[Centerfield]

The problem with Vargas is that he's not particularly good at getting out lefties (insert joke that he's not great against righties either).

Last year, he was slightly more effective against lefties (.725 OPS against, versus .847 for righties).

But his three year split (2016-18) is the opposite. .811 OPS against for lefties, .766 OPS against for righties.

So he wouldn't really make a good LOOGY.

[Centerfield]

It's kinda surprising to me how hard it's been to get lefties into this pen. Wasn't long ago I feel like LOOGYs were a dime a dozen.

Why is it so hard to find a funky sidearming left-hander that can come in to face FFF?

And I don't remember these guys being particularly expensive. Dennis Cook. Chuck McElroy. 50 year old Jesse.

I came across this one guy from the Indians who I think would be great.

1.39 ERA. 0.74 WHIP. .490 OPS Against for LHB

Oliver Perez? Any of you guys ever hear of him?

[Benjamin Grimm]

They mentioned him on Mets Hot Stove last night and everyone started chuckling.

[Centerfield]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: They mentioned him on Mets Hot Stove last night and everyone started chuckling.

Did they?

I wish they would laugh at the idea of trading Syndergaard for a catcher.

[nymr83]

Mets Willets Point wrote: Edgy MD wrote: Rather than assign one guy the eighth and one the ninth, I prefer a team that looks to just one of those guys as needed for both the eighth and the ninth, with the other guy backing him up for an emergency, and if they're in another situation that needs a lockdown the next night, the other guy gets the call. It wouldn't work out this way, of course, but I'd prefer each guy get 40 appearances of two innings each, rather than 80 appearances of one inning each. It's probably less taxing and leaves the manager with an ace up his sleeve. Edgy for manager.

seconded.

[Benjamin Grimm]

It's official:

Mets e-mail announcement wrote: The Mets today announced that the club has signed right-handed pitcher Jeurys Familia to a three-year deal. "We are excited to bring Jeurys back to Flushing," Mets General Manager Brodie Van Wagenen said. "Jeurys is a familiar face and an accomplished, elite reliever with experience that will fit well in our clubhouse."