New York Mets Avoid Arbitration With Jeurys Familia, Addison Reed
The New York Mets have been relatively quiet over the last few weeks. Over the weekend, the team gave raises to their two most important relief pitchers.
On Friday, the New York Mets and setup man Addison Reed agreed on a $7.75 million salary for the upcoming season. The two sides avoided arbitration.
The same day, the team avoided arbitration with closer Jeurys Familia. The Mets and Familia settled on a $7.425 million salary for the 2017 season.
Reed and Familia will both make more money this season than they did last year. Reed made $5.3 million during the 2016 season, while Familia earned $4.1 million.
There is no doubt that both pitchers deserved a raise. Familia is coming off the best season of his career, a year in which he led the NL in saves with 51 while posting an ERA of 2.55. Familia was also named to the NL All-Star team for the first time his career in 2016.
More from New York Mets
- Last Chance Caesars Promo: Claim $1,250 Bonus for ANY MLB Bet!
- PointsBet New York Promo: FIVE $100 Bonus Bets to Back the Yankees or Mets!
- Get $500 in Bonus Bets to Back Yankees or Mets With PointsBet New York Promo
- PointsBet is Offering New Yorkers FIVE $50 Bonus Bets This Week For MLB, NHL, and NBA Games!
- Caesars is Offering New York’s Best Sportsbook Promo (Unlock $1,250 Bonus Today!)
Reed had a very good season as the Mets’ primary setup man. He appeared in 80 games and went 4-2 with a 1.97 ERA. Reed’s 40 holds led the NL for the 2016 season.
Right now, it is unclear what Familia’s status is for the beginning of the 2017 season. He is currently waiting to find out if he will be suspended by Major League Baseball under the league’s domestic violence policy. Familia was charged with simple assault after his wife reported him to the police back on October 31. He pled not guilty, and the judge ended up dropping the charge after Familia’s wife told a prosecutor that he did not harm her.
However, Familia could still be facing a suspension, depending on what Major League Baseball decides to do. If he is suspended, Reed would almost certainly be the Mets’ closer on Opening Day.
This would not be a new role for him, as Reed was the closer for the Chicago White Sox from 2012-2013. He saved 40 games for the White Sox during the 2013 season. Reed is definitely capable of stepping in and being the closer for the first month of the season if need be.
Next: New York Mets 5 Greatest First Baseman Of All-Time
The back end of the bullpen will need to as sharp as it was last season if the Mets want to go far in 2017. In order for this to happen, Reed and Familia are going to have to perform at the level that they did last year. The Mets have a chance to be legitimate World Series contenders in 2017 if they are able to do this.