New York Mets: Hidden free agent bullpen gems still on the market 7 — Jun 15, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Jeurys Familia (27) celebrates with teammates after beating the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field. The Mets defeated the Pirates 11-2. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Pitchers who should break camp with the New York Mets: Bullpen edition

03/01/2017

Sep 25, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Jerry Blevins (39) delivers a pitch during the ninth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field. New York Mets won 17-0. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

The Southpaw

Jerry Blevins signed a one year extension with the Mets in February of 2017 to be the main left handed reliever in the bullpen. Blevins had a very good year for the Mets in 2016. In 42 innings pitched over 73 games, Blevins struck out 52 with a 2.79 ERA.

A look inside those numbers paint an even rosier picture for the Mets. Blevins inherited 55 runners, the second most in the league, in 2016. Of those 55 he only allowed eight of them to score. That’s a strand rate of 85.5 percent, the third best rate in the majors for pitchers who inherited at least 50 runners.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly for a southpaw reliever, Blevins was lights out against left handed batters in 2016 as evidenced by his 12.1 K/9 rate in those situations.

Besides one outlier year in 2015 with the Nationals, Blevins has been a very effective lefty reliever. If utilized in this role in 2017 the Mets can expect similar results. If he’s asked to do more it’s a lot more difficult to assume success.