Mets look to strengthen their bullpen by signing Luis Avilan to a minor-league deal

Even with an improved bullpen, the Mets were missing something to hold it all down. That something has been remedied, as the team announced the signing of left-handed reliever Luis Avilan. He received a minor-league deal with an invite to Spring Training.

While the Mets have a plethora of right-handed pitchers on their roster, they were lacking what Avilan provides. Between the White Sox and the Phillies last season the 29-year-old Avilan had a 3.77 ERA with 51 strikeouts while allowing 18 walks in 70 games. In seven seasons Avilan has a 3.09 ERA with a 19-10 record while playing for the aforementioned teams, including the Braves and the Dodgers.

“Luis is a left-handed quality major league reliever who addresses another offseason priority,” said GM Brodie Van Wagenen. “We are pleased to see these types of proven players want to be a part of what we are trying to build.”

How valuable is Avilan as a lefty specialist? He held batters to a .220 batting average last season. Overall, lefties have hit .213 off of Avilan. What he provides to the team is a chance to play stopper to a variety of athletes who have punished the Mets over the years.

The Venezuelan now joins Edwin Diaz and Jeurys Familia as a three-headed monster in the bullpen. A low risk, high reward move, Avilan could end up being the answer the Mets need in order to maintain leads during the 2019 season.