In what will be the first significant free-agent splash of the Steve Cohen era, the Mets on Tuesday agreed to terms on a two-year deal with free-agent reliever Trevor May, according to multiple sources. The team has not confirmed the deal, which is pending a physical.
MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reported that the two-year deal is worth around $15 million.
Once the signing is complete, the right-handed May will give the Mets an additional measure of depth at the back of their bullpen, fulfilling a stated goal of new president of baseball operations Sandy Alderson.
May, 31, has posted a 3.19 ERA over the past three seasons with the Twins since returning from Tommy John surgery. He produced a 3.86 mark this year, while his strikeout rate of 14.66 per nine innings ranked seventh in the Majors. May’s 43-percent whiff rate was eighth. His average fastball velocity, which sat at 93.9 mph before surgery, rose for the third straight season to a career high of 96.4 mph, as May scrapped his curveball in favor of additional sliders and four-seam fastballs up in the zone.
“I think I learned a lot about what it takes to go and establish yourself at the Major League level,” May said Monday during an appearance on MLB Network Radio. “That’s invaluable to me. That’s going to be invaluable as I move forward.”
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].