The Mets and the left-handed appeaser Aaron Loup agree on a deal pending the completion of a physical exam, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports (via Twitter) It’s a one-year contract for Loup, Joel Sherman of the New York Post add. Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reported earlier this afternoon that the Mets were “focusing” on Loup after losing Brad Hand, which signed with division rival Nationals. Loup is represented by the Beverly Hills Sports Council.
Loup, 33, gives the Mets an established left-handed bullpen option that the previous squad lacked. Claim waiver Stephen Tarpley and previous choice of the 40th round Daniel Zamora they were the only two lefties on the Mets’ 40-man list before their next deal with Loup. Left-handed veteran Jerry Blevins will be at Spring Training as an unscheduled guest as well, although he did not release last season.
In addition to a forearm strain that ended a good part of his 2019 season in San Diego, Loup has been a largely durable and reasonably effective bullpen piece since he invaded the Majors with the Blue Jays in 2012. He had some ups and low along the way, but the end result is an ERA of 3.38 and SIERA of 3.24 with career elimination rates and walking rates of 21.9% and 7.0%. Loup has increased his strikeout numbers in recent years, however, and in 2020 with the Rays he delivered one of his best snippets: a 2.52 ERA and 3.62 SIERA with a 22.9 percent punch rate and a 4.2 percent walking rate, which ranked among those in the lowest game. He also threw 5 1/3 innings in the playoffs, allowing only two runs with seven eliminations versus two walks.
Loup has done better against lefties throughout his major league career, but has stood firm against righties and was very good against them in the shortest games of 2020. He kept opponent lefties in a .232 hitting line / .301 / .319, while the right-handers got an exit of .264 / .333 / .428.
Loup will join the right hand Trevor May as a new member of the Mets configuration core, effectively replacing leftist comrades Justin wilson in the process. Mets might still be able to use another southpaw, but with a body of relief featuring May, Loup, Edwin Diaz, Seth Lugo, Dellin Betances, Jeurys Familia, Miguel Castro and Brad Brach, they certainly have no talent. Some of those veterans – Betances and Familia in particular – are looking for rebounds, but everyone in that group of veterans has had good success in the big leagues.