The New York Mets have reportedly been seeking help for their beleaguered bullpen, which has the worst ERA in baseball at 5.00, and a couple of names have emerged as possibilities.
The Mets have reportedly called the San Diego Padres about right-handed closer Huston Street. [via Hardball Talk]
Street, 28, has a 1.42 ERA, a 0.737 whip and is 11-for-11 in save opportunities. He is an eight-year veteran with 189 career saves. He is owed roughly half of his $7.5 million salary for this season and his contract includes a $500,000 buyout on a $9 million mutual option for next season.
Another name that has surfaced is Oakland's Grant Balfour. The 34-year-old right-hander has a 1-2 record, 3.49 ERA and seven saves. Balfour has less closing experience (34 career saves) than Street, having spent most of his career in a setup role.
Balfour might make more sense financially for the Mets. He is in the final year of a two-year, $8.1 million deal. That contract includes a $4.5 million team option for next season with a $350,000 buyout.
The Mets are 42-36, second in the National League East and in position to make at a run at playoff spot. They need to do something to help their bullpen if that is going to happen.