Mets Address Bullpen, Trade For Lefty Relievers Alex Torres And Jerry Blevins
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Mets addressed their lefty-specialist issue on Monday.
New York traded minor league pitcher Cory Mazzoni and a player to be named later to the Padres for Alex Torres.
TRADE: We've acquired LHP Alex Torres (@Alex21Torres) from San Diego for Cory Mazzoni and a player to be named later. #Mets
— New York Mets (@Mets) March 30, 2015
Later in the day, the Amazin's traded outfielder Matt den Dekker to the Nationals for another lefty reliever in Jerry Blevins.
TRADE: We've acquired LHP Jerry Blevins (@JerryBlevins_13) from Washington for Matt den Dekker.
— New York Mets (@Mets) March 30, 2015
Can't wait to be a part of the @Mets. Calling Mets fans, need a new avatar. Any helpers?
— Jerry Blevins (@jerryblevins) March 30, 2015
Josh Edgin, the Mets' primary lefty out of the bullpen in 2014, is out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Torres, 27, is entering his fourth major league season. The Venezuelan appeared in 70 games for San Diego in 2014 and pitched to a 3.33 ERA, striking out 51 and walking 33 in 54 innings pitched. Lefties hit .256 off him and righties hit .209.
New #Mets LH reliever Torres tougher on RHHs than LHHs, particularly last season. Developed slow curve this spring that could help overall.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 30, 2015
In 120 career innings pitched, Torres has only surrendered three home runs (one to a lefty). He has a 2.55 ERA for his career.
Mazzoni, 25, was drafted in the second round by New York in 2011. The right-hander made stops in the Gulf Coast League (Rookie), Florida State League (Class Advanced-A), Eastern League (Double-A) and Pacific Coast League (Triple-A) in 2014.
He went a combined 7-2 with a 4.68 ERA in 14 starts.
Blevins, 31, appeared in 64 games for Washington in 2014. He went 2-3 with a 4.87 ERA in 57 1/3 innings pitched, striking out 66 and walking 23. Lefties hit just .160 off him.
Blevins, now with #Mets, allowed 8 ER, 4 HRs this spring with 11 Ks, 2 BBs in 8 IP. #Nationals might have thought $2.4M excessive for that.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 30, 2015
Den Dekker, known for his outstanding glove, hit .250 in 152 at-bats for the Mets last season.
The other lefty relievers on the Mets' active roster are Dario Alvarez and Sean Gilmartin.