Mets reportedly sign Dellin Betances

According to Andy Martino, the Mets have agreed to sign right-handed reliever Dellin Betances. Jeff Passan adds that it’s a one-year deal worth $10.5 million, with a player option. It can go up to $13 million in 2020 with 70 appearances.

Betances, 31, missed basically the entire 2019 season with an assortment of arm injuries (bone spurs, shoulder impingement). He returned in September to pitch exactly two-thirds of an inning, rupturing his Achilles tendon in the process. Doctors expect him to be healthy and ready for spring training.

A former top prospect—one of the Killer B’s in the Yankees’ system—Betances situated himself among baseball’s top relievers. He owns a career 2.36 ERA (2.31 FIP) with an eye-popping 14.64 K/9 rate. The right-hander struggles with control, regularly running high walk rates (career 4.01 BB/9). He also has trouble holding runners who reach base. His upside as an endgame relief arm outweighs the drawbacks, though.

It’s a bummer that the Yankees couldn’t find a way to bring Betances back. He’s a fan favorite, and if healthy, a major boost to the team. I know fans have said that the Yankees know him better than anyone, and that their lack of interest was telling. It’s still hard to not get behind him.

More to come...