Addison Reed’s tenure with the Mets was cut short this season, but his acquisition in 2015 ended up being one of the shrewder deals Sandy Alderson has made as general manager. Reed came over from the Diamondbacks at the end of August that season, and the Mets sent minor league pitchers Matt Koch and Miller Diaz to Arizona.
Koch and Diaz remain in Arizona’s minor league system whereas Reed enjoyed a career resurgence in New York. Coming off a strong 2016 season as the team’s set-up man, Reed entered 2017 as the Mets’ insurance at closer. Jeurys Familia was suspended so Reed stepped into the role he previously held with the White Sox and Diamondbacks and did an outstanding job despite being used heavily.
Before being traded to Boston, Reed had 19 saves and held a 2.57 ERA in 48 games. He also struck out 48 and walked just six batters in 49.0 innings of work. The strikeout rate was down from the previous season, but he was able to cut down his walk rate. Unfortunately, he also gave up more home runs in half a season with the Mets than he did in all of 2016.
Before his departure, two memorable moments came when, on separate occasions, he faced both Mike Trout and Anthony Rizzo with the bases loaded and both times he managed to escape with minimal damage being done.
As the Mets fell further and further out of contention, Reed became one of the most attractive trade pieces the Mets had as the trade deadline approached. While one team showed some concern about his heavy workload, Sandy Alderson eventually found a trade partner in the Red Sox who sent over pitchers Jamie Callahan, Gerson Bautista, and Stephen Nogosek for Reed. Reed did not fare as well in Boston but was serviceable for his new team.
Reed will be a free agent this offseason so the Mets could pursue a reunion with him if they wanted, but he will most likely be looking for a multi-year deal. The Mets generally do not hand out multi-year deals to relievers and money could once again be an issue. If the Mets have a limited budget and they tender AJ Ramos a contract, Reed will most likely have to seek a contract elsewhere.
Even if Reed never again pitches for the Mets, his tenure in New York could still bear fruit if any of the pitchers the Mets obtained for him become viable relievers.