In the middle of a Mets bullpen in constant disarray stands the stalwart Jerry Blevins. The lefty specialist has put up solid numbers in his three years in New York and is an interesting trade candidate for a team looking towards 2018.

Overall, Blevins is having a decent season, though not quite up to last year's exceptional standards. He has a 3.54 ERA, and while his strikeout rate is excellent, his walk rate has jumped to nearly 5.0 per 9 innings.

The caveat is that while it feels as though he has pitched every day (and he does in fact lead baseball with 44 appearances), his 28 innings pitched is still a small sample. And there's every chance his wildness evens out as the season wears on.

As has been the norm throughout his career, Blevins has been absolute murder on lefties. They are managing just a .401 OPS against him this season. Righties, on the other hand, are putting up a whopping 1.175 OPS against, though sample size is a major issue here as well. His career splits are .570/.741 OPS against lefties and righties respectively, which is along the lines of what to expect going forward -- and still quite good for a specialist...

It's the little things that kill a season, and the seventh inning last night felt like a microcosm of what is killing this team in 2017. I know, I know, it's the injuries too, but then it's the little things...

For instance, Travis d'Arnaud tied last night's game with a home run in the top of the seventh inning. Neil Ramirez then entered in relief for the Mets and began the bottom of the inning by walking Miami's leadoff batter, J.T. Realmuto. JT Riddle then followed with a single to give the Marlins runners on first and third with no one out.

In relief of Ramirez, Jerry Blevins was called on to face pinch hitter Ichiro Suzuki, who slapped a single on the ground to left field. Dee Gordon moved the runners up with a hit, and Giancarlo Stanton was intentionally walked to load the bases. Christian Yelich then hit a a 2-2 pitch up the middle to drive in two more runs and extend Miami's lead to 6-3, which would end up being the final score.

According to FoxSport.com's Ken Rosenthal, among the team's pending free agents, Mets LHP reliever Jerry Blevins is the least likely to be traded.

Blevins, 33, is earning $5.5 million this season. The Mets hold a $7 million club option for 2018 or can make him a free agent by paying a $1 million buyout.

In 38 appearances this season, he is 4-0 with a 2.13 ERA (2.66 FIP), while holding left-handed hitters to a .113 average.

Mets LHP Jerry Blevins answers non-baseball questions from fans on the latest edition of 'Hello Jerry.'

One constant at the trade deadline is that pitching is always in demand. Contenders looking to plug rotation holes and bolster bullpens offer far more valuable packages in July than in January. The Mets don't have an especially deep cache of arms to offer up, but there are a few names to watch for.

Addison Reed has largely righted his ship after a difficult start to 2017 and now has a 2.59 ERA dating back to 2015. His 4.89 strikeouts-to-walks ratio is the 10^th best in baseball over the span and his 2.58 FIP is 13^th best.

He has never been in the top tier of relief aces alongside such names as Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen, but he has been surprisingly close. As a pending free agent capable of setting up or closing, he should garner plenty of interest from contenders with weak bullpens, such as, unfortunately, the Nationals...

Hours after GM Sandy Alderson said RHP Robert Gsellman would move back to the bullpen once the Mets activate two pitchers off the disabled list, Gsellman threw seven strong innings to lead New York to a 4-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday at Citi Field.

Gsellman (3-3) gave up two runs (one earned) and three hits, and also recorded two RBIs on a sac fly and a bases-loaded walk as the Mets won for the third time in their last four games.

"That's the guy we saw last year," manager Terry Collins said. "That's the guy we know he can be. He threw the ball very well."

Josh Edgin, Hansel Robles, Jerry Blevins, Addison Reed, and Jeurys Familia combined to throw four innings of scoreless baseball during the team's win Monday in Atlanta.

Robert Gsellman lasted only five-plus innings, allowing five earned runs and six hits, after which the bullpen locked down the game's final 12 outs.

In a tie game to start the 12th inning, Mets reliever Rafael Montero let up a single and walked two batters (one intentional) before Matt Kemp hit a two-run double to give the Braves the lead.

The Mets got the tying run to the plate during their next at-bat, but eventually lost the game, 3-1.

In total, Montero was charged with the loss, as well as two runs, three hits and three walks in his first 1.2 innings of the season. Hansel Robles entered the game with a 1-0 lead thanks to six scoreless innings from Jacob deGrom. However, Robles allowed a run to score that tied the game, while being charged with a blown save in the seventh inning...

For a full box score of the game, click here.

Five things you should know about today's game...

1) Jacob deGrom allowed two hits and a walk while striking out six over six scoreless innings in his first start since undergoing offseason elbow surgery.

2) Handed a 1-0 lead, Hansel Robles faced five batters in the seventh and retired just one before leaving with the bases loaded and the game tied. Jerry Blevins retired the next two batters to keep the score, 1-1.

It's me again. After 14 seasons as a Mets beat reporter, for the Daily News and then ESPN, I joined the New York Institute of Technology in February as its assistant athletic director for strategic communications, promoting the Old Westbury school's Division I baseball team as well as a dozen other sports competing at the Division II level.

The job involves pitching stories to media about the program, plus ensuring the school's athletics website -- NYITBears.com --and social media have solid content.

Still, when SNY graciously asked if I would be interested in contributing to its website on a part-time basis, I couldn't resist. I will be providing analysis pieces about the Mets, as well as popular staples from my days as a beat reporter, including the "Farm Report," which contains a feature and notes about Mets minor leaguers. We plan to launch our weekly minor-league content next Wednesday and continue it for the duration of the season.

Thank you to SNY's Fred Harner and Matthew Cerrone for making this happen.

Mets manager Terry Collins spoke with the media prior to Monday's season-opening game against the Braves at Citi Field. Here's what we learned...

• The Mets need to embrace the expectations. The team is filled with players who have won and know what it takes.
• Collins hasn't thought about the fact that lots of players are in their walk-year, but adds those players should be 'doubly motivated.'
• Noah Syndergaard has matured a great deal as a pitcher, learning to command his stuff and control his demeanor...

The New York Mets scored 11 runs and recorded 17 hits in an 11-3 win over the Houston Astros on Friday in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

• The Mets scored four runs in the third inning and five in the fifth inning to take a 9-0 lead. Asdrubal Cabrera and Jay Bruce hit RBI singles before Lucas Duda hit a two-run double to make it 4-0. In the fifth inning, Neil Walker hit a two-run home run to make it 6-0. 
• Noah Syndergaard struck out one batter in two scoreless innings in his Grapefruit League debut.

The Mets face the Marlins on Thursday in Port St. Lucie at 1:10 p.m. on SNY.

Jose Reyes will play third base and lead off.

RHP Robert Gsellman gets the start for the Mets, with RHPs Addison Reed, Jeurys Familia, Hansel Robles, and Erik Goeddel, and LHPs Tom Gorzelanny and Jerry Blevins also scheduled to pitch.

Follow on Gameday here...

Season two of #HelloJerry begins with a special guest, Mets third baseman and captain David Wright. 

The Mets host the Nationals on Saturday at First Data Field in Port St. Lucie, live on SNY at 1:10 p.m.

Coverage begins on SNY at 12:30 p.m. with Mets pregame.

LHP Sean Gilmartin will get the start for the Mets, with LHP Jerry Blevins also scheduled to pitch.

The Mets beat the Red Sox, 3-2, on Friday afternoon in Fort Myers.

• Mets pitchers took a combined no-hitter into the seventh inning.
• OF Michael Conforto went 2-for-3 with a home run.
• C Travis d'Arnaud went 2-for-2.
• RHP Seth Lugo, who is competing with Robert Gsellman and Zack Wheeler for the fifth spot in the rotation, walked two and struck out three while allowing no hits in two scoreless innings...

Mets manager Terry Collins spoke with the media in Port St. Lucie on Wednesday. Here's what we learned...

• If closer Jeurys Familia is suspended for the beginning of the season, the Mets will "have to go outside the box" at times -- including potentially using LHP Jerry Blevins -- when it comes to closing games.
• OF Michael Conforto is "too good a player" to continue to struggle.
• If everyone is healthy, there will likely be two spots open in the bullpen, and the team could "very easily" take three left-handers...

Mets pitchers and catchers will take the field today for their first official workout of Spring Training.

Terry Collins and David Wright are expected to address the media later in the day.

The majority of the team's position players are already in camp. However, they are not required to be there until Feb. 17, as the roster's first official full-squad workout isn't until Feb. 19...

Mets manager Terry Collins spoke with the media in Port St. Lucie on Monday. Here's what we learned...

• Regarding RHP Zack Wheeler, Collins said the team will get him ready to start games and decide at the end of Spring Training where he fits best, with the bullpen being an option.
• Wheeler and RHPs Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo will compete for the fifth spot in the starting rotation.
• There is no plan to get OF Michael Conforto time at first base right now.
• Collins sees the "fire" that he's seen in the past from RHP Matt Harvey. "You know this guy," Collins said. "This guy likes to be the number one."

Jerry Blevins returned to the Mets last week by signing a one-year, $5.5 million contract, which reportedly includes a $7 million team option for 2018 with a $1-million buyout.

As a free agent this winter, Blevins had been rumored to be seeking a $6-8 million salary, but with as much as a three-year commitment.

The guaranteed salary of $6.5 million put Blevins roughly in line with what Mike Dunn is making per year.

The Mets announced their one-year deal with LH reliever Jerry Blevins and designated INF/OF Ty Kelly for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.

The deal, which was reported last week, will pay Blevins $5.5 million in 2017 and contains a $7 million team option for 2018 with a $1 million buyout, reports Jon Heyman of FanRag. Blevins can also earn $100,000 in incentives each season.

Blevins, 33, came back to the Mets in 2016 after pitching just five innings with the club in 2015 before he fractured and re-fractured his left arm. 

To date, most reports have indicated the Mets planned to only offer one-year and minor-league deals to free-agent relief pitchers, in their effort to improve their bullpen.

However, MLB insiders say the Mets are finally talking with this group about two-year deals. And based on Tuesday night's report in the NY Post, they may be aiming to back-load the contract, which would help keep them under budget and have money available to improve the team at the trade deadline.

First off, I was wrong. I recently argued in favor of the Mets signing Sergio Romo, but I've changed my mind. In the last few days, I've been talked out of Romo by friends in San Francisco, a former manager and one scout that has watched him closely the last few years.

"He's not their kind of a guy, and Sandy Alderson has to know that," one person said. "Plus, Terry would burn him out in a week."

I think this is probably right. The Mets have reportedly reached out to Romo, but I now doubt he's Alderson's top target.

The Mets have signed LH reliever Adam Wilk to a minor league deal that includes an invite to major league Spring Training, reports Adam Rubin of ESPN.

Wilk, 29, last pitched in the majors in 2015, allowing one run in 2.0 innings for the Angels.

He has also pitched for the Tigers, appearing in five games in 2011 and three games in 2012.

Free agent LH reliever Jerry Blevins is seeking a three-year deal, according to multiple reports.

However, Ken Davidoff of the NY Post wrote earlier this week that Blevins and other relievers who are still on the market could potentially take a one or two-year deal.

Blevins, 33, had a 2.79 ERA and 1.21 WHIP while striking out 52 batters in 42 innings (73 appearances) for the Mets in 2016, while holding left-handers to a .229/.295/.331 line.

Closer Greg Holland, right-handed relievers Neftali Feliz, Sergio Romo, and Joe Blanton and left-handed relievers Boone Logan and Jerry Blevins are getting the most attention right now on the free-agent market for relievers, according to MLB insiders.

According to the same sources, the Mets are among 10-12 teams looking to add a left-handed reliever, and they're among the 15 or so teams still in the market for a right-handed reliever.

I believe there are more teams interested in Logan than Blevins, with the Mets interested in both. I believe these two men will get guaranteed deals, especially when considering supply and demand. But, as the NY Post's Ken Davidoff pointed out Tuesday, one of the two may want to take a one-year deal so he can be in position for a longer-term deal next winter. In that scenario, Sandy Alderson and the Mets may be that pitcher's best option.

The MLB hot stove is essentially ice cold, especially within the outfield and bullpen markets, which is where the Mets are most interested in spending their time and money.

"I've never seen it like this," a veteran agent recently told the NY Post's Ken Davidoff regarding the lack of activity across all of baseball, not just the Mets.

In an order to end the "gridlock," Davidoff says team officials need to first return to work from the holidays, which will happen today. Then, as spring training nears, hopefully a handful of owners will see bargains, open their wallets and to start to spend.

I expect Jeurys Familia will be suspended to start the season. If that's the case, Addison Reed will be the New York Mets' temporary closer. How the bullpen shakes out after that is still a bit of a mystery.

Will Jerry Blevins be back?

Blevins is reportedly seeking a three-year deal, probably worth $15-20 million. The Mets would love to have him back, and I'm sure he'd like to return, but there's no evidence that Sandy Alderson is interested in making this type of commitment to a relief pitcher, even Blevins.

The Rockies and free-agent left-handed reliever Mike Dunn have agreed to a three-year, $18 million deal, according to multiple reports, which is the same type deal being requested by free-agent LHP Jerry Blevins.

It's a weak market for free-agent relievers. So, free-agent LH reliever Jerry Blevins must have smiled earlier this week when the Cardinals gave LH reliever Brett Cecil a four-year, $30.5 million deal. Because, if that's the high mark for a left-handed reliever, Blevins will be justified asking for at least two years... maybe even three years guarenteed...

Mets LHP Jerry Blevins, RHPs Bartolo Colon and Fernando Salas, 1B James Loney, infielders Kelly Johnson and Neil Walker, and OF Alejandro De Aza.

The Mets would like to retain Blevins, 33, but expect him to receive a multiyear offer elsewhere, Adam Rubin of ESPN reported Wednesday.

The 43-year-old Colon and the Mets have interest in reuniting, though Colon might be looking for a two-year deal.

The Mets would like to retain pending free agent left-handed reliever Jerry Blevins, but expect him to get "a sizable multiyear offer elsewhere," reports Adam Rubin of ESPN.

Rubin says that might price the Mets out on the 33-year-old Blevins.

Blevins had a 2.79 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with 52 strikeouts in 42 innings (73 appearances) for the Mets this past season, while left-handers hit .255 with a .313 OBP and .324 SLG against him.

It's going to be a busy, argumentative and stressful offseason. I can see it coming a mile away. There is plenty of reason to be hopeful because of the young rotation. However, because of their injuries, and the team being home on Oct. 6, it feels like the Mets took a step in the wrong direction during 2016.

Therefore, there will be lots of pressure this winter (inside and outside the organization) to be sure they're in a much better position when they hit Port St. Lucie, Florida in four months.

New York Mets LHP Jerry Blevins struck out Daniel Murphy with the game-tying run on first base to seal the Mets' 4-3 win over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday at Nationals Park.

After Jeurys Familia blew the save in the bottom of the ninth inning, manager Terry Collins brought in Fernando Salas for the save. Salas retired the first two batters before allowing a Jayson Werth single, and Collins brought in Blevins for the lefty-lefty matchup.

Murphy, who leads the majors in batting average, was hitting over .400 against the Mets this year. He found himself down in the count 0-2 before working it full.

The Mets were off on Monday.

They will enter Tuesday's series-opener in St. Louis trailing the Cardinals by 4.5 games for the second Wild Card spot in the National League.

The Mets, Giants, Cardinals, Pirates and Marlins were all off Monday, leaving the NL Wild Card race unchanged since the weekend...

Also on Monday, Steven Matz was put on the disabled list retroactive to August 15 with a mild shoulder strain and rotator cuff inflammation. RHP Robert Gsellman will be promoted from Triple-A to pitch in relief and take Matz's spot on the roster. Seth Lugo is expected to remain in the rotation.

Mets LH reliever Jerry Blevins was unavailable Saturday, Terry Collins said this past weekend.

According to Collins, Blevins had forearm tightness, so he didn't want to him to pitch.

However, Blevins twice told reporters this is not true.

Jerry Blevins allowed a go-ahead home run in the 12th inning and the Mets dropped their second straight to the Diamondbacks, 3-2, on Wednesday night at Citi Field.

Mets setup-man Addison Reed took over the franchise record for holds in a season on Sunday. However, during the eighth inning on Monday, he surrendered two runs (one inherited) as the Yankees tied the game.

Reed had not allowed a run since June 25, spanning 16 innings, during which he struck out 26 batters and gave up just seven hits.

The Yankees loaded the bases with no outs in the 10th inning against Seth Lugo, who gave up a tie-breaking sacrifice fly to Starlin Castro.

Maggie Wiggin, MetsBlog.com

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After a blistering start during which the Mets bullpen was the best in baseball, they've hit a cold streak that's dropped them to 8th.

Hansel Robles, Erik Goeddel, Jerry Blevins, Addison Reed and Jeurys Familia combined to throw 8 2/3 innings of one-run ball after Bartolo Colon left the game after one batter with a bruised thumb in the New York Mets' 2-1 win over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday.

Once Colon left after a line drive struck his thumb, manager Terry Collins brought in Robles, who threw a career-high 65 pitches in 3 2/3 innings. Robles pitched into the fifth inning and struck out six batters.

"We were short tonight," manager Terry Collins said after the game. "So, I just said he's got to be the guy, let's see if he can get us to the fifth inning."

New York Mets reliever Hansel Robles struggled with his command as he gave up the go-ahead runs in the Mets' 6-4 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday at Citi Field.

While the Mets led 4-3 entering the top of the eighth inning, Robles (0-3) surrendered a go-ahead two-run home run to White Sox shortstop Tyler Saladino after giving up a leadoff walk to Melky Cabrera as Chicago scored three runs to take a 6-4 lead.

"I think the problem has been, I haven't been able to locate my pitches," Robles told reporters through a translator after the game.

The Mets lost for the fourth straight time, as the offense couldn't support Noah Syndergaard in a 2-1 loss to the Marlins at Citi Field >> Read the full AP recap at SNY.TV.

• Martin Prado's sacrifice fly off Jim Henderson in the eighth snapped a 1-1 tie.
• Noah Syndergaard was dominant for the second straight start, striking out 12 in seven innings. He began the game by whiffing six of the first eight batters before allowing a run in the fourth inning.
• Through two starts, Thor has surrendered just one run in 13 innings, fanning 21 and walking only two. 
• The Mets wasted an early opportunity against Marlins starter Jared Fernandez, leaving the bases loaded in the second inning when David Wright flew out weakly to right field. 
• Curtis Granderson snapped an 0-for-20 skid with a double leading off the first inning.
• Lucas Duda drove in New York's lone run with a single in the first. He was thrown out attempting to take second base.
• The Mets had a chance to take re-take the lead in the sixth inning, but Michael Conforto grounded into an inning-ending double play with runners at the corners.

Tim Reilly: .Noah Syndergaard kept the Marlins' lineup off balance all evening, mixing up his high-90s fastball with his low-90s slider, which appears to have become his go-to put-away pitch. The talent in his right arm is off the charts, surpassing his counterpart Jose Fernandez in the eye test tonight, in my opinion. Syndergaard caught a couple of tough breaks in the fourth inning, including an overturned call on an otherwise nice play by Neil Walker that eventually led to the only run he would surrender. That was the lone blemish on his stat line that included 12 strikeouts. ... Unfortunately, Jim Henderson proved he's not invincible, allowing the game-winning run. ... I know we expect the Mets to win these 2-1 games, especially with their pitching, but it would be nice if the offense would alleviate some of that pressure off their shoulders >> To follow Tim on Twitter, click here.

RHP Zack Wheeler threw off the slope of the mound for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery >> Read more

Mike Piazza, who is in camp working as a guest instructor, weighed in on the 2016 Mets and his recent election to the Hall of Fame >> Read more

The latest Mets Video Diary focused on Piazza >> Watch here

Matthew Cerrone

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The Mets left the Winter Meetings telling people they still needed to acquire a relief pitcher or two, a potential fifth starter and an outfielder that can hit right-handed pitching to platoon with Juan Lagares.

Last week, they re-signed Jerry Blevins (a reliever) and Bartolo Colon (starting pitcher). Today, it's been reported they are close to signing free agent OF Alejandro De Aza, who can platoon with Lagares. So, is that it? Are the Mets done?

The Mets re-signed LH reliever Jerry Blevins to a one-year deal >> Read more

The Mets are interested in re-signing free-agent OF Yoenis Cespedes, but only if his price drops >> Read more

Mets manager Terry Collins weighed in on a host of topics, including SS Wilmer Flores' role heading into 2016 and RHP Zack Wheeler's innings limit >> Read more