Lefty reliever Justin Wilson said he had other offers on the table before signing with the Mets, explaining that he wanted to play for a contender.

"Clearly, the Mets are gonna be a contender," Wilson said Monday during a conference call with reporters.

Asked specifically what he thinks will make the Mets contenders, Wilson cited the back-end of the bullpen and a starting rotation he would "put up against any starting rotation in the league.

The 31-year-old Wilson, who agreed to a two-year deal worth $10 million last week, had a succinct answer when asked what he wanted his role to be.

"I hope to be in high-leverage situations at the back end."

While Wilson will give the Mets a power left-hander in the bullpen (Luis Avilan and others will be likely be fighting for a second spot), he is a true crossover reliever who has better career numbers against righties than lefties. Wilson noted Monday that one of the reasons why he's so successful against right-handers is that he busts them in.

"Justin has had tremendous success vs. left-handers and right-handers," Mets General Manager Brodie Van Wagenen said in a statement. "He's a power arm and makes our bullpen much deeper."

For his career, Wilson has held right-handers to a .211/.305/.323 line, while lefties have hit .241/.319/.345 against him.

In 2018, when Wilson had a 3.46 ERA (3.64 FIP) and 1.42 WHIP in 71 appearances while striking out 11.4 batters per nine innings, he was lights out against lefties, holding them to a .190/.301/.342 line.

Wilson's numbers show someone who can succeed against lefties and righties, and he has the stuff to back it up, with a fastball that averages close to 95 MPH that he pairs with a slider and cutter. One negative for Wilson the last two seasons has been his walk rate, which has been 5.43 the last two seasons.

Wilson joins a Mets bullpen that is expected to include Edwin Diaz, Jeurys Familia, Seth Lugo, and Robert Gsellman.

CERRONE: These are the Mets' most buzz-worthy prospects >> Read More

CERRONE: Scouts discuss J.D. Davis, who Mets could use as position player/reliever hybrid >> Read More

Popular in the Community