Major League Baseball

Mets Season in Review: Jerry Blevins

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:48 p.m. ET

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Jerry Blevins made an impact on a Mets bullpen that didn’t have quite the success they wanted to in 2016.

Being acquired right before the start of the 2015 season from the Washington Nationals, we didn’t see much of Blevins because of injury.

Through 5 measly innings pitched during his 2015 season, Blevins struck out 4 and walked none. Not too many people can say they got through an entire season without surrendering a single hit (corny joke alert)!

But one thing Blevins had was the luxury of being a lefty. That played a big role into the reason of him landing a one-year contract worth $4 million, including incentives, to remain with the Mets.

With not much to judge him by on the previous year, Blevins had to prove a lot of people that he could bounce back from a fractured arm and be a big part of the Mets bullpen for the up incoming 2016 season.

How He Fared in 2016

Judging him by his 2014 season with the Nationals, Blevins pitched very well.

Pitching to an ERA of 4.87 in 2014, he lowered it to 2.79 in his first full season with the Mets last year. He also pitched in more games in 2016 (73) than any other season of his big league career.

A big difference we saw last year was that Blevins was primarily used as a lefty specialist, rather than a two-way pitcher in previous years.

While he can get righties out, manager Terry Collins used him towards his advantages. While he pitched in more games last year than previously in 2014 (73 compared to 64), he pitched in 15.1 more innings in 2014 than he did last year (57.1 compared to 42.0). This strategy was a good one because while Blevins was technically used more, he really wasn’t.

Blevins also struck out more per 9 innings than any other season in his career (11.1K’s/9 innings). A big reason to that was the way he was utilized, saving his arm, especially after an injury riddled season the previous year. Terry Collins, who does micro manage his bullpen most of the time, deserves credit for that.

Areas to Improve Upon

Two areas Blevins needs to improve upon are walks and home runs.

Through 42 innings pitched last year, Blevins gave up 4 home runs (compare that to 3 home runs against through 57.1 innings in Washington in 2014). Being used as a lefty specialist, you have to limit runs, especially the long ball throughout your appearances.

As for walks, Blevins surrendered 15 of them throughout his appearances. While they are down consistently from the previous seasons, they need to be lower, especially if you’re being used in less innings.

The beauty of a specialist pitcher is that they could be used a lot throughout a season. The good thing about Blevins is that while he is a lefty, he can get the occasional righty out. He needs to limit those mistakes, especially against lefties.

Projected Role in 2017

Whether it’s with the Mets or not, Blevins will probably be used towards his advantages yet again next season.

Depending on what kind of contract he will receive, especially if he leaves New York, the more money he makes, the more that might be thought of him. How could you overpay for a lefty specialist?

No matter what he makes, 2016 and the way Terry Collins used him should be the blueprint for any team who receives his services. Statistically, 2016 was Blevins best season of his career. Why get away from that and put him in a position where he could be more prone to fail?

Contract Status and Trade Rumors

Currently a free agent, Blevins should have a nice amount of suitors, including the Mets, for the 2017 season. While the market for relievers is still being set, we have seen two of the top three closers already sign this offseason.

The bullpen is an area the Mets need to improve upon for the 2017 season. Will they offer Blevins a contract that will pay him anywhere from 5-6 million a year, or look for player that will demand less financially? I’d think New York will go with the latter on that one, but you never know.

In fact, the Mets are expecting Blevins to leave this offseason. The Blue Jays have shown interest in him, but no move has been made yet, minus of course this great Instagram from Belvins’ wife.

Next: Jerry Blevins Gif Time!

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