Mets, Jenrry Mejia agree to $2.47 million salary for 2016

Jenrry Mejia and the New York Mets have agreed to a $2.47 million salary for the 2016 season, according to Jon Heyman. He won't actually earn all of that money, of course, as he still has to serve 99 games of his 162-game suspension for his second positive test for a performance-enhancing drug. He does not count against the Mets' 40-man roster while he is serving his suspension.

That suspension, which was Mejia's second of the season, occurred during a whirlwind of a week for the Mets at the end of the July as they called up Michael Conforto and made several trades to bolster their roster. Mejia had only returned from his first suspension a couple of weeks beforehand.

In his very limited time pitching for the Mets, Mejia didn't allow any runs in 7.1 innings, and he struck out seven and walked two opposing batters. Back in 2014, he started the season in the Mets' rotation but was moved to the bullpen a few weeks later after a couple of rough starts. He was great after that role change, as he had a 2.72 ERA and 3.15 FIP in 56.1 innings of work as he took over as the team's closer.

While both suspensions were disappointing, Mejia should be a valuable mid-season addition to the Mets' bullpen. It's hard to imagine the team will have seven relievers better than Mejia on its active roster at that point of the season. And if all goes well and Mejia avoids a third suspension, which would ban him from Major League Baseball for life, he would be eligible to pitch in the playoffs if the Mets are able to get there again this year.