The New York Mets reached an agreement with reliever Brandon Lyon on a one-year deal. Financial terms of the deal are not yet available. Lyon pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays and the Houston Astros in 2012, compiling a 4-2 record with a 3.10 ERA in 67 appearances. Lyon will become part of the Mets bullpen that finished next to last in the major leagues with a 4.65 ERA in 2012. The deal is contingent on Lyon passing a physical.
General Manager Sandy Alderson recently signed Pedro Feliciano, Scott Atchison and LaTroy Hawkins to minor-league deals with invites to spring training. Alderson said Lyon would likely be the last acquisition for the bullpen before spring training starts for pitchers and catchers next Monday. Alderson added: “The bullpen can’t be worse and has room to be a lot better.”
Lyon may have an opportunity to compete to be the Mets closer in 2013. Frank Francisco struggled mightily in 2012 with a 5.53 ERA. Over the course of his career Lyon has saved 79 games compared to Francisco’s 72. Francisco underwent surgery to remove a bone spur from his right elbow in December.