Mets offseason grades for each of the free agent signings so far
By Jordan Leopold
ATLANTA, GA - MAY 01: Pitcher Jeurys Familia
Jeurys Familia, RHP
Danza Kuduro! Our franchise single-season saves leader, Jeurys Familia, has returned. The closer who carried the Mets into…and quickly out of the 2015 World Series. While his relief outings are much like a riding a rollercoaster, Mets fans should be excited for the return of number 27.
After a July fire sale this past season, the Mets dumped Familia's contract to the Athletics for almost nothing in return. In 31.1 innings in the Bay Area, Familia settled into his new hope, pitching to a 3.45 ERA serving as a setup man for Blake Treinen.
Familia missed part of last season due to shoulder soreness and missed half of the previous season due to a blood clot in his right arm. The 29-year-old is still baffling hitters with his hard sinker and hit fastball-slider combo is still at the top of the game.
Familia will prove to be a valuable weapon in the back end of the Mets bullpen. His 3 year $30 million contract is a better value than the much older Andrew Miller who has declined each of the last two seasons after a 2016 World Series run. Miller inked a two-year $25 million contract with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Familia was a better option than signing Miller or David Robertson and with Kimbrel commanding a contract worth north of $100 million, the Mets signed the best guy available.
Familia will likely set up the newly acquired Edwin Diaz I would expect him to close along with Robert Gsellman on days where Diaz is unavailable.
The Mets finally made a splash and bolstered their bullpen with the return of Jeurys Familia.