Just Mets

Marc C.: I think Tony Sipp would be an excellent addition to the Mets bullpen.  What would it take to happen?  Is it a good idea?

Sipp, 31, had an outstanding year for the Astros. And with the Mets lacking any kind of reliable left-handed relief specialist, one might think Sipp is an excellent fit for the Mets. He posted an ERA+ of 203, went 3-4 with a 1.99 ERA in 60 relief appearances while allowing only 41 hits, 15 walks and five home runs with 62 strikeouts in 54 1/3 innings for Houston in 2015. He was also outstanding in the postseason against the Yankees and Royals, allowing only one hit with two walks and five strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings over six playoff games.

But if the Mets are looking strictly for a left-handed relief specialist, Sipp may not necessarily be their guy.

He had reverse splits in 2015, and while left-handed hitters posted a moderately lower OPS against him than right-handed hitters did (.613 vs. .599), left-handed hitters hit nearly 40 points higher against him than right-handed hitters (.190 vs. .227).

That trend is in-line with his career numbers as well.

That’s not to say Sipp wouldn’t be a good fit for the Mets bullpen. His career marks against left-handed hitters is .213/.293/.387, which is better than anything they have in-house right now. He could certainly be a very effective cross-over left-handed reliever as well, which could help Terry Collins save his bullpen rather than use a guy like Sipp for one batter only.

But if the Mets really want a specialized left-handed reliever, they may be better suited to re-sign Jerry Blevins, who is a better left-handed specialist than Sipp is. Blevins may come cheaper and with less of a commitment than Sipp thanks to his injury-plagued year in which he required surgery to repair his broken left arm.