The Mets and Jeurys Familia were reportedly in contact about a potential reunion before MLB's lockout, per The New York Post's Mike Puma.
GM Billy Eppler is sure to be aggressive once again when the lockout is over, as the Mets are truly all-in this offseason heading into 2022. The bullpen is an area that still needs a piece, especially with Aaron Loup signing with the Los Angeles Angels and Familia also out of it...for now.
Other options, including Craig Kimbrel, Kenley Jensen and Andrew Chafin remain on the market. And the Mets could certainly go for a bigger splash than Familia there.
However, the veteran right-hander made it known before the end of the 2021 season that he would love to return to Queens.
After a brutal 2019 campaign that showed Familia struggling with his pitch command, he turned things around the past two seasons. In 2021, he posted a 3.94 ERA over 59.1 innings after showcasing a 3.71 mark in the shortened 2020 campaign.
Familia still offers a devastating splitter that is his bread and butter to getting quick outs -- when it's on. If he doesn't have the feel for the pitch, which usually ranges in the high 90s, he can be all over the place, making it easy for hitters to sit on something they like or just take their base.
That's why the Mets might be looking past the 32-year-old at first when the lockout ends to see what other options are there. But Familia knows what it's like to pitch in New York and is already a fit in the clubhouse.