How will Sandy Alderson handle the multi-year, middle-relief market?

Matthew Cerrone
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The Mets intend to acquire help for their bullpen this winter, according to insiders around MLB.

They expect Rafael Montero‘s shoulder to be 100 percent next spring, and Josh Smoker, Erik Goeddel, Logan Verrett, and others will be considered for the Opening Day bullpen. However, they’re going to need a veteran or two to help set up Jeurys Familia.

The Blue Jays are reportedly close to re-signing RH reliever Marco Estrada to a two-year deal worth around $13 million a season.

Toronto had extended him a one-year, $15.8 million qualifying offer, but it’s still an important contract because he may help set the market for other veteran middle relievers.

Thanks to Estrada, expect Tyler Clippard, Tony Sipp, Ryan Madson, Mark Lowe and Shawn Kelly to all get two-year deals as well. Estrada’s $13 million a season is on target with what experts projected last week, which could be double the money that goes to Clippard, Sipp, etc. That said, it’s still more than a one-year commitment, which I fear could make Sandy Alderson balk at their asking price.

Alderson reportedly also has interest in free-agent set-up men Joakim Soria and Darren O’Day, who are expected to get three-year deals, since nearly half the league is pursuing them.

In the event the Mets miss out on Soria and O’Day, and Alderson refuses to give a two-year deal to someone else, he’ll be left again offering minor-league deals to guys like Matt Belisle, Trevor Cahill, Jason Frasor, Jerry Blevins, Craig Breslow and others, which could put them in the exact position as last season. And, I’m not sure that’s going to be good enough…

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By the way, I have not heard a peep on Yasiel Sierra, who is very intriguing. He’s 24, with a mid-90s fastball, a nice slider, a three-quarters arm slot, command issues, and experience pitching in relief, but he has yet to be cleared to sign with an MLB team. However, he impressed scouts that watched him last month, most believing a little refinement in the minor leagues, and adding a change up, could make him a legit bullpen arm for a team late next season. He’s going to see a lot of interest when his market opens because he’s outside the bonus pool, though that could mean it takes a $30 million commitment to ink him.

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