2016 Mets Season Preview: Jerry Blevins

The story of Jerry Blevins' time with the Mets in 2015 was almost like a flash of lightning, in a way. Acquired from the Nationals on March 30 in exchange for outfielder Matt den Dekker, the veteran lefty filled a large void in the bullpen after primary southpaw Josh Edgin saw his season abruptly ended by Tommy John surgery.

As if that wasn't enough, Blevins immediately endeared himself to Mets fans when he asked Twitter to create him a brand new avatar. This challenge, won by yours truly thanks to the sheer magic of MS Paint, set Blevins up for what should've been a great first season in New York.

If you don't know the story by now, Blevins tossed 5 perfect innings out of the Mets' bullpen in April before Marlins' second baseman Dee Gordon smacked a line drive off of the pitcher's forearm. Initially said to require only a few weeks to heal from the blow, Blevins' injury lingered and his recovery took a lot longer than expected. Finally on the road to recovery in early August, the lefty saw his return come to a crashing halt as he slipped on a curb and again fractured the same left forearm. It was clearly a frustrating season for Blevins and for the Mets, who could've used him while they were circulating through the likes of Alex Torres and Eric O'Flaherty looking for somebody to get a lefty out.

Fully healed and hopefully carrying a lucky rabbit's foot or four-leaf clover or something, Blevins is back with the Mets on a one-year deal. Fortunately, this time he won't be the club's only reliable lefty option as veteran Antonio Bastardo is also locked into a roster spot. Still, with a career .206/.257/.322 line versus the lefties, Blevins is likely to serve as the team's best LOOGY option with Bastardo pitching against both lefties and righties. Know that when there's a tough lefty in the batter's box late in a game, it'll probably be the tall guy with the best MS Paint Twitter avi in the land standing on the hill for the Mets.