Jerry Blevins has been a lone bright spot in a season of desolation for the New York Mets. With any luck, he'll still be around to see a good season and cheering fans at Citi Field. According to a report, the team will be retaining his services for another season. He'll be compensated for his troubles and have an opportunity to right the wrongs that have left a fan base afflicted with anger and a morose set of calm in 2017.
Mets retain bullpen ace
The news of the team's intentions was first broken by Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports on Thursday. It will cost the Mets $7 million to pick up Blevins' option for next season, while it would've cost $1 million for the team to buy him out of the last year of his contract.
He's currently making $6.5 million, so he'll be getting a slight raise in 2018. That raise could've come from a different team, since there was interest at the trade deadline for his services. He'll be worth the price, though.
The 31-year old has dominated this season, accumulating a 2.72 ERA with a 1.34 WHIP. He has also struck out 56 batters in 60 appearances. He was claimed on waivers earlier this month, but was blocked from leaving the team. Meanwhile, the Mets dealt away Curtis Granderson, Jay Bruce, Lucas Duda, and Addison Reed in recent weeks. Clearly, that speaks volumes about how the team values Blevins going forward.
Blevins carves out a role
Blevins has been relatively consistent since being drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 17th round of the 2004 MLB Draft.
He made his major league debut with the Oakland Athletics in September 2007. He was traded to the Washington Nationals in 2013 before being dealt to the Mets in 2015 for outfielder Matt den Dekker. In three seasons with the team -- the first greatly shortened by injury -- he has never compiled an ERA above 2.79. He should be able to maintain that this season.
The Mets bullpen has potential to actually be somewhat decent next season. Jeurys Familia should be back to the closer role after an injury-laden season. If not, A.J. Ramos can fill the role, as he has been since being acquired from the Miami Marlins at the trade deadline. With Blevins serving as the linchpin, the potential for an elite three-man unit at the back of the bullpen is a legitimate possibility. If the same health woes that crushed the team this season manifest themselves once again in 2018, however, all expectations have to immediately sink to the bottom of a deep ocean.
