New York Mets Finalize Deal With Star Reliever To Upgrade Their Bullpen
The deal is done.
According to SNY insider Andy Martino, the New York Mets are in agreement on a contract with left-handed reliever Jake Diekman, pending a physical.
The deal is for one-year with a vesting option, per Joel Sherman of The New York Post. MLB.com's Anthony DiComo is reporting that the deal is worth $4 million.
The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon were the first to report on Thursday that the Mets were nearing a deal with Diekman.
The veteran lefty will serve as a high-leverage arm in the Mets' bullpen, and is coming off a strong season, in which he reinvented himself after getting picked up by the Tampa Bay Rays.
Upon joining the Rays, Diekman altered his delivery, which cut down on his walks. Overall, the southpaw posted a 2.18 ERA in 45.1 innings with the Rays.
Diekman now joins a Mets' bullpen that features elite closer Edwin Diaz, Adam Ottavino, Brooks Raley, Drew Smith and 2022 All-Star Jorge Lopez.
It's unknown whether the Mets are still looking to add bullpen help after landing Diekman and right-hander Shintaro Fujinami, who posted a 7.18 ERA in his lone campaign in the big-leagues last season.
