Mets looking for a lefty specialist for bullpen

Even during their magical run to the World Series in 2015, the New York Mets were missing a major piece in their bullpen: a lefty specialist. Now, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, the Mets are determined to find one.

The free agent market features several left-handed relief pitchers this year. Antonio Bastardo, who we profiled recently at Amazin' Avenue, is one of them. So is Jerry Blevins, who the Mets acquired before the 2015 season from the Nationals. Blevins broke his arm early in the season, though, and never returned after re-breaking it during recovery.

As for left-handed pitchers currently on the Mets' 40-man roster, Dario Alvarez had a 3.00 ERA in the minors in 2015 but had a 12.27 ERA in 3.2 innings with the Mets. Rule 5 pick Sean Gilmartin spent the entire season with the team and is under team control heading into next season. Soon-to-be 27-year-old Josh Smoker—who the Mets signed to a minor league deal before the season and added to the 40-man roster following the season—had a 3.12 ERA across three minor league levels last year with 60 strikeouts and 19 walks in 49.0 innings. And Edgin might return from his Tommy John surgery at some point in 2016.