Update: 5:18 PM – The Mets Just Released this statement
The New York Mets today announced the team has agreed on a one-year contract extension with lefthanded pitcher Tim Byrdak.
Byrdak, 37, has appeared in 68 games in relief for the Mets this season, going 1-0 with a 2.95 ERA (12 earned runs/36.2 innings pitched).
The native of Oak Lawn, Illinois has pitched for five major league teams over 10 seasons. Byrdak made his major league debut in Kansas City before stops in Baltimore, Detroit and Houston. He owns a career record of 10-10 with a 4.18 ERA (141 earned runs/303.1 innings pitched) in 411 games all in relief.
Byrdak has allowed four earned runs in his last 47 games (24.1 innings) this year for a 1.48 ERA. He has held lefthanded batters to a .204 (19-93) mark this year and to a .203 (117-577) batting average against during his career.
Byrdak ranks seventh among National League lefthanders in appearances this year and his 10.80 strikeouts per nine innings is the eighth-best in the NL (minimum of 35.0 innings).
Original Post 11:17 AM
I have learned the Mets and Tim Byrdak are close to an extension for the 2012 season.
Byrdak was one of the value signings this past off season and he’s turned out well.
He had big shoes to fill with the departure of Pedro Feliciano. After a slow start he’s had a nice season as he’s struck up nearly 11 per nine innings and a 2.95 ERA. Left handers are hitting .204 against him this year. Overall in the second half, the opposition is hitting .146 against him. Considering Feliciano may never pitch again despite his 2 year/$8 million dollar deal with Yankees, this looks like a great signing.
Terms were not disclosed to me, but it’s fair to assume it will be at least as much as he earned this year. With incentives this year, Byrdak is scheduled to earn in the neighborhood of $1.2 million dollars.
The Mets bullpen needs some stability with kids like Bobby Parnell, Pedro Beato, and Josh Stinson playing key roles next season. Byrdak can pitch every day, get lefties out at a high rate, and provide the kind of veteran leadership the bullpen corps will need.
