Mets soon-to-be free-agent closer Jeurys Familia is drawing trade interest primarily from National League teams, Buster Olney of ESPN reports. The Phillies and Giants are among those clubs, per Olney, who notes that Philadelphia might wait to see whether it acquires Manny Machado and Zach Britton from the Orioles before embarking on an earnest pursuit of Familia.
Familia was one of the game’s best relievers from 2014-16, a stretch in which he pitched to a 2.20 ERA and saved 99 of 114 opportunities, but he took steps backward during an injury- and suspension-shortened 2017. The 28-year-old now looks closer to his top form, having recorded a 2.88 ERA/2.52 FIP with 9.52 K/9, 3.1 BB/9 and a 50.5 percent groundball rate in 40 2/3 innings this season. Along the way, Familia has saved 17 of 21 opportunities for the out-of-contention Mets.
The Phillies, as an NL East rival of the Mets, are quite familiar with Familia, and they’ve seen their bullpen turn in a middle-of-the-pack performance during a first-place season. The Phillies only lead their division by a game and a half, though, and their relievers entered Sunday 17th in the majors in ERA and 15th in fWAR. However, they have received strong production from youngsters Seranthony Dominguez, Victor Arano and Edubray Ramos.
The Giants, on the other hand, are out of the playoffs right now, sitting three games back of a wild-card spot and 3 1/2 behind NL West-leading Los Angeles. Statistically, the Giants’ bullpen has outdone the Phillies’, ranking 10th in ERA and an even more impressive sixth in fWAR. Familia would further strengthen a group that has seen Will Smith, Tony Watson and Reyes Moronta, among others, turn in absolutely great showings. San Francisco’s bullpen did lose closer Hunter Strickland to a fractured hand less than a month ago, but he should be back within a few weeks.
Any team acquiring Familia would be taking on a rental, as mentioned earlier. He’s owed the balance of a $7.925MM salary.
“The Phillies… are quite familiar with Familia…”
Darn you Connor Byrne, you beat me to that pun.
I did not want to write that, but it was unavoidable.
He’a a FA at the end of the year, correct?
Wonder what they get for him? With value of relievers at an all-time-high?
Not that he’s a Chapman or Miller, but there’s a decent demand for top end closers. Those two pulled in a nice haul individually, so I’d suspect he’d pull in ‘something’ decent.
99 out of 114 is about an 87% conversion rate… Anybody know what’s standard?
For someone who is going to be your designated closer I’d imagine it’s around 85%. Situations like the Blue Jays this season or the Rays will likely drag the league average down a tad, I would imagine. Familia is converting 81% of his chances this season which is 18th out of 19th so far this season for closers who’ve saved 15 games or more.(Fernando Rodney is 19th with an 80.8% rate).
That sounds terrible. Or am I reading it wrong?
The Mets should trade him to whomever sends the best package back
That’s normally how trades work
You must not be familiar with how the loser Mets’ treat their winner Yankee counterparts’
Mets almost never do business with Yankees, unless it’s an extreme overpay.
Yankees sent the best package for Jay Bruce but Mets ultimately ended up still trading him to CLE for lesser prospects than NYY offered to save $$
You ain’t gettin deGrom so get over it
Yankees might have offered better prospects but the total trade package was better from Cleveland. Taking on all that salary of Bruce’s was part of “the package”, therefore the Indians gave them the best return.
Xabial, can you give me a situation where the Yankees sent a major leaguer to the Mets for a quality package? Or is it just one way?
You should be a GM
It’s not like they need a closer.
What’s to save? Get prospects!
Familia is too inconsistent to depend on. Great stuff but you can’t count on him to deliver. Why then give up prospects when your current staff is likely just as good? Familia might be the hot dish who accepts your proposal only to leave you hanging at the alter. Just an updated Armando Benitez.
Cause the Phils bullpen sucks…
Giants really shouldn’t be buyers. I know the NL West is still kind of open but they aren’t one piece away from a championship. That said as a Mets fan I’ll happily take their prospects if they offer the best package and want to send them…
You’re joking right? 3.5 games back from the Dodgers is about as in it as a team can be. This is also a giants team that won the world series from a wild card spot.
They have also played 2 more games this year than the Dodger so they will be getting extra rest the second half.
not sure why giants would rent him either…seems illogical on all levels.
Please watch more and pay attention to Baseball before responding
If the Giants sign Familia, that means they have given up on Melancon, another expensive mistake on a closer.
They’ve kind of already given up on him. Will smith is closing now, and doubt familia would take his spot with him being a top 2 reliever this year
Ray Black is the future