The Mets have been scouting Orioles left hander Brian Matusz, according to Dan Martin from the New York Post. Matusz, the former starter, completed his 2nd straight season as a reliever last year, compiling a 3.48 ERA in 63 appearances. He had a 9.2 K/9 ratio and a 3.0 BB/9 ratio.
Matusz has held lefties to a .223/.277/.350 line, compared to .277/.351/.525 line against right handed hitters. The 28 year old is owed $3.2 million in 2015, a figure that may become an issue for the Mets if they were to look to acquire him. He is also arbitration eligible for the final season in 2016, so he will be a free agent in 2017.
At the moment, because of the Josh Edgin injury, the Mets are scrambling to find a left handed hurler to fill out a bullpen spot. Sean Gilmartin will likely be given the 1st role, unless he collapses in the coming weeks, and the current group of Scott Rice, Jack Leathersich and Dario Alvarez will likely be given a fair shot as well.
Marc Carig of Newsday recently reported that former-Met Dana Eveland has an opt-out clause in his minor league contract, and could exercise it in a few weeks. Eveland does not project to make the Opening Day roster for the Red Sox, and could find a better opportunity in a place like New York. Of-course, it's important to consider that New York had no interest in retaining him this off-season, but clearly things have changed.
In my opinion, Matusz wouldn't be anything more than an average left handed reliever, but unfortunately that would be an upgrade from the group of guys the Mets have in camp right now. I don't know how willing the Orioles are to get rid of him, but they already have a few other left handed options to turn to if Matusz were dealt.
What we could do is give the Orioles the rights to Logan Verrett, whom Baltimore had claimed through the Rule V draft a few months back. Verrett plus someone who is out of options and unlikely to make the team like a Cesar Puello would probably be more than enough for Matusz.
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