Whatever happens going forward, I want to go on record and say I LOVE the signing of Dellin Betances.
On Christmas Eve, the Mets signed Dellin Betances to join their bullpen, which ranked as one of the league’s worst in 2019. Betances’ deal with the Mets is for $10.5M. He can get up to $13M if he reaches 70 games. There is also a player option for 2021.
It was widely reported that talks between the Mets and Betances had hit an impasse, and the two parties were going their seperate ways. As has been the case with most of Brodie Van Wagenen’s deals, the Betances signing was quite the surprise.
Earlier in the week, it was reported that the Mets had essentially paid Yoenis Cespedes nothing in 2018, and would pay him little in 2019. Coincidence? Maybe. But either way, Dellin Betances is a Met.
The good news? Betances had a 0.00 ERA in 2019. The bad news? Betances only pitched two-thirds of an inning in 2019.
Lat and shoulder issues sidelined the right hander for most of the season, and then a partial tear of his Achilles tendon closed the door on the 2019 campaign.
The Mets now employ two of the top five pitchers in baseball history in strikeout rate (Ks per nine innings, minimum 100 IP):
1. Josh Hader, 15.35
2. Aroldis Chapman, 14.84
3. Dellin Betances, 14.64
4. Craig Kimbrel, 14.61
5. Edwin Diaz, 14.46— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) December 24, 2019
We added a pitcher who needs to have a huge bounce back to a bullpen, that collectively, needs a huge bounce back. But, all things considered? I’m happy to take the gamble here.
It’s not out of the realm of possibility to think that Betances would be ready to start the 2020 season. I am 100% in favor of this high risk, high reward approach here. If he’s healthy, he’s a great pitcher.
Despite missing essentially all of 2019, Betances leads all relief pitchers in strikeouts since 2014.
Betances has a lifetime ERA of 2.36. He hasn’t recorded an ERA higher than 3.08 in any of his five full Major League seasons, pitching under 1.50 ERA on two occasions. Between 2014 and 2016, his 1.76 ERA ranked third among qualified relievers across Major League Baseball.
One year deal? Sign me up.
Look at what relievers have fetched in terms of salary these last few years. Look at what the Mets are paying Betances.
There’s a good chance this won’t work out. But when are you ever going to get a chance for this type of potential bargain again?
I love the core on this team. I also know that Brodie’s speech last offseason after his hire has become a classic comedy bit. The team is riddled with “ifs.”
Betances is one “if” I’m happy to rally behind.
Now let’s all sit down and watch Betances’ 2018 Wildcard game performance.