Mets closer Jeurys Familia underwent surgery to remove a clot in his right shoulder. Addison Reed is the likely replacement and worth an add.
The New York Mets pitching staff is falling apart. Aside from the starting pitching injuries, the bullpen just suffered a big injury. Closer Jeurys Familia underwent surgery and will be out for a few months. As a 14th-round pick, Familia’s absence will create a need in the closer market. Luckily, the Mets have a replacement already.
Familia pitched in just 11 games after returning from suspension. He posted a 3.86 ERA, 1.198 WHIP, 9.6 K/9 and 7.7 BB/9 with three saves. Familia blew his first save in his most recent outing. He recorded one out and allowed four runs (three earned) on two hits and two walks.
The walks have been an issue all season with Familia. He has eight walks over just 9.1 innings. Yet, it hasn’t been a consistent issue as he has a 41.1 percent of pitches in the strike zone.
The downside to putting pitches in the zone, batters tend to make contact. Opposing hitters have a combined 84 percent hard and medium hit rate and .280 BABIP.
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Mike Puma of the New York Post was one of the first to tweet the news about the surgery and recovery time. He said that the surgery will cost him several months of action. According to dictionary.com, one of the definitions of several is “more than two but fewer than many.”
So, more than two would put us sometime after the All-Star break. I look at several as being three to four. In that case, three would be August and four is September. Taking into account recovery time and rehab games, it’s likely he will miss the rest of the season.
Regardless of time missed, the Mets and fantasy owners will need a replacement. The obvious choice is Addison Reed. In 18 innings this season, he has a 3.00 ERA, 0.889 WHIP, 11.0 K/9 and four saves. His zero walks allowed is the biggest stat.
Reed is owned in just 40.7 percent of ESPN leagues. If Familia is owned in 80.7 percent, Reed should be owned in the same number of leagues. He’s bound to walk one batter eventually, but Reed has dominated so far.
Losing Familia and moving Reed to the ninth inning hurts the Mets bullpen. Hansel Robles and Fernando Salas will split the eighth-inning duties.
If you can’t land Reed, Justin Wilson is the new closer in Detroit. Corey Knebel will likely get the next save chance in Milwaukee (post coming soon).
Next: Jayson Werth's quiet success this season
I think Familia is droppable in 10 and 12-team leagues. In larger leagues, the relief pitcher market is shallower so replacements are thin. However, a closer out for several months doesn’t help your championship chances.