Mets acquire former D-Backs closer Addison Reed to solidify bullpen
Even with his New York Mets holding a six-game lead in the National League East, general manager Sandy Alderson is still looking for ways to solidify his roster.
On Saturday, he went for an upgrade in the bullpen, acquiring Addison Reed from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
ESPN New York’s Adam Rubin was the first to report a deal was in place, pending the physical.
Newsday’s Marc Carig has since confirmed the deal, noting that Reed will likely be a two month rental since he’ll likely carry an expensive arbitration price tag.
Here’s how the rest of the deal shakes out.
The #Dbacks will get Matt Koch and Isan Diaz from #Mets once physicals are approved from #Mets in Addison Reed trade.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 30, 2015
As far as Mets fans are concerned, all that matters are the next two months anyway. They are in position to win the division and make a deep run into the postseason with their star-studded rotation and revamped offense finally providing postseason level production. The one area that clearly needed some bolstering down the stretch was the bullpen, particularly in the late innings, and Reed can certainly fill that role.
Reed began the year as the Diamondbacks’ closer, but was removed from the role in mid-May. In fact, Reed even spent some time at Triple-A Reno retooling and refocusing, before being recalled on July 29. Since then, Reed has been on point, posting a 1.65 ERA over 16 1/3 innings.
Though Reed has closing experience, the Mets won’t need him there with with Jeurys Familia and Tyler Clippard already locked in. They’ll be looking more at the seventh inning, a role New York had hoped one of Jenrry Mejia, Jerry Blevins, Bobby Parnell or Vic Black would have helped fill by now.
The circumstances for each pitcher is different, but the bottom line is still the same for Terry Collins. He needs arm he can rely on. Time will tell if Reed can supply that arm.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
