MLB Weekly Digest December 7th Edition: Mets Sign May for Two Years

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The last week on MLB was about a team in the National League improving their bullpen, a free-agent second baseman is seeking a multi-year deal, and a third baseman in the American League undergoes elbow surgery.

New York Mets Sign Reliever Trevor May to Two-Year Contract

The New York Mets have made a significant upgrade to their bullpen by signing reliever Trevor May to a two-year deal, per a team announcement.

Welcome to Queens, @IamTrevorMay! 🍎

We have signed RHP Trevor May to a two-year contract. pic.twitter.com/WrOnTelhb7

— New York Mets (@Mets) December 2, 2020

The contract is worth $15.5 million and includes $250,000 for performance bonuses annually, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Trevor May's deal with the New York Mets is official, sources tell ESPN. The terms: two years, $15.5 million, with a potential for another $250,000 in performance bonuses each year.

The relief market this winter is fascinating, and May starts it off well by grabbing $7.75M/year.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 2, 2020

May was an essential piece in the Minnesota Twins’ bullpen after being sidelined for the 2017 season recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Since May returned in 2018, he has posted impressive numbers, as indicated by a 3.19 ERA, 3.56 FIP, 1.08 WHIP with 12.2 strikeouts per nine innings.

He made 24 appearances for the Twins last year and posted a 3.86 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with 14.7 strikeouts per nine innings.

The reliever had success last year because he stopped throwing his curveball and decided to incorporate a slider, per Andy Martino of SNY.

Trevor May's pitch usage completely changed last year. He stopped throwing curve and heavily emphasized slider. This is on trend with an analytics-based approach used by MIN, NYY, TB, others — relievers identify, develop and throw a lot of one plus breaking ball.

— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) December 1, 2020

The addition of May will provide the Mets with a quality arm in their bullpen for late-game situations.

Second Baseman DJ LeMahieu Seeking Multi-Year Deal

DJ LeMahieu is expected to break the bank this offseason.

The agent for LeMahieu is seeking a five-year contract worth $100 million, per Jack Curry of the YES Network.

The latest on DJ LeMahieu from @flash17yes & @JackCurryYES. pic.twitter.com/uIp7BVFqha

— YES Network (@YESNetwork) December 4, 2020

The New York Yankees are expected to re-sign the second baseman, and LeMahieu has expressed that he wants to remain with the Yankees.

LeMahieu is coming off an outstanding 2020 season in which he won the American League batting title.

He compiled a .364 batting average and 1.011 OPS in 50 games with 71 hits, 10 doubles, two triples, 10 home runs, and 27 RBIs.

The prior year in 2019, LeMahieu had a .327 average and .893 OPS in 145 games with 197 hits, 33 doubles, two triples, 26 home runs, and 102 RBIs.

The second baseman proved the success he had with the Rockies was not about playing half his games at Coors Field.

LeMahieu is excellent at making contact and rarely has a bad plate appearance.

He is one of the best hitters available in MLB free agency and is expected to sign a deal worth at least $100 million.

He is worth it, given his performance the past two seasons with the Yankees.

New York Yankees Third Baseman Gio Urshela Out Three Months After Elbow Surgery

New York Yankees third baseman Gio Urshela underwent surgery on his right elbow to remove a bone chip, per a team announcement.

INF Gio Urshela underwent surgery today to remove a bone chip from his right elbow. The procedure was performed by Yankees Head Team Physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital & went as expected. Urshela’s anticipated recovery time from surgery is 3 months.

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) December 5, 2020

The expected recovery time after having the operation is three months.

This would put Urshela to resume baseball activity about midway through spring training.

Urshela had a solid 2020 MLB season for the Yankees, as he posted a .298 average and .858 OPS in 43 games with 11 doubles, six home runs, and 30 RBIs.

The value Urshela provides the Yankees is not only with his bat but the defense at third base.

Urshela has been a critical player for the team over the past two seasons, and the Yankees will probably ease him back slowly when spring training gets underway.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

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