Reports: Mets to Sign Antonio Bastardo

Multiple reports Wednesday night say the Mets have reached an agreement with Antonio Bastardo to be the final piece of their late-inning bullpen. The reports say he will get $12 million over two years. That seems reasonable for a quality lefty who is only 30 years old.

Over a seven-year career (the first six with the Phillies and last season with the Pirates), Bastardo has a 3.58 ERA, with 388 strikeouts in 316.1 innings. Lefties are hitting just .178 against him. He is no slouch against righties, either — they are batting .211 against him. So Bastardo is not just a lefty specialist, which is a very good thing.

Bastardo will likely battle with Addison Reed to see who gets to be the eighth inning bridge to closer Jeurys Familia.

This is a good signing, and is probably the end of Sandy Alderson’s off-season shopping spree. Antonio Bastardo’s $6 million for 2016 brings the payroll up near $110 million, which is pretty much its limit.