New York Mets, reliever Trevor May reach 2-year deal

If he’s not the top pitching Trevor in this free-agent market — or perhaps not even the second-best such entity — Trevor May has performed very well out of the bullpen the past three seasons. Now he holds a place in Mets history unlike any player, first names notwithstanding.

The 31-year-old right-hander is Steve Cohen’s first significant Mets import.

Multiple industry sources confirmed the Mets and May, a 31-year-old right-handed reliever, have agreed to a two-year contract for about $15 million, pending a physical. SNY first reported the agreement after MLB.com first reported that the two sides were deep into talks.

As long as he clears medically, May, who missed all of 2017 due to Tommy John surgery on his pitching elbow, will become a top setup possibility for Mets manager Luis Rojas. His arrival will also increase the likelihood of Seth Lugo, who switched from the bullpen to the starting rotation in the middle of last season, remaining a starter.

The May signing also could impact some calls the Mets must make on Wednesday’s deadline to tender contracts to players under team control.

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With the Twins during the COVID-shortened 2020 season, May struck out 38 batters and walked just seven in 24 games (23 ¹/₃ innings) while recording a 3.86 ERA. From 2018 through 2020, May totaled a 3.19 ERA with Minnesota, fanning 153 and walking 38, in 113 games totaling 113 innings. That strikeout rate of 32.9 percent placed him 15th in the majors for those clocking at least 100 games in that time period.

He’d join a Mets bullpen featuring closer Edwin Diaz, who will be tendered a contract, as well as signed right-handers Jacob Barnes, Dellin Betances, Brad Brach and Jeurys Familia. The Mets face tougher tender/non-tender calls Wednesday on relievers Miguel Castro, Robert Gsellman and Chasen Shreve.

The Mets remain candidates to sign Trevor Bauer, the top existing free-agent starting pitcher, after Marcus Stroman accepted the team’s one-year, $18.9 million qualifying offer to bolster the rotation. Veteran closer Trevor Rosenthal, who enjoyed a bounce-back 2020 with the Royals and Padres, also is a free agent.

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