Jeurys Familia has experience pitching in the postseason. (Arturo Pardavila III)
Philadelphia Phillies president Andy MacPhail told the collective media, including MLB.com’s Max Goodman, Saturday that the Phillies have overperformed expectations and they needed to “react accordingly.” It looks like his hand-picked general manager, Matt Klentak, is in the process of doing just that.
ESPN.com’s Buster Olney reported Sunday that the Phillies appear to be one of three finalists for Baltimore Orioles shortstop Manny Machado, with the Orioles seemingly nearing a decision. That doesn’t appear the be the only upgrade that the Phillies are contemplating.
According to Olney, the Phillies are also one team that’s interested in New York Mets closer Jeurys Familia:
NL teams appear to be at the forefront of the talks about the Mets’ Jeurys Familia, who is among the best available relievers. Phillies interested (although they may wait until Britton/Machado talks resolved), Giants, etc.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 15, 2018
Familia, 28, is one of few productive pieces on the Mets. He has a 2.88 ERA and 2.52 FIP. He has blown four save attempts in 2018, but has converted 17 this year and has 123 in his career. Between a domestic violence suspension and a May surgery on his posterior circumflex humeral artery, Familia only appeared in 26 games in 2017. With that said, Familia recorded 94 saves between 2015 and 2016.
A free-agent-to-be, Familia has a 2.60 ERA in 15 career postseason appearances. Unfortunately for Familia, he blew all three saves he was asked to record against the Kansas City Royals in the 2015 World Series. In the 2016 National League Wild Card game, he allowed the game’s only three runs, as the San Francisco Giants eliminated the Mets with a 3-0 win.
As Olney said, Familia appears to be somewhat of a fall-back option for Orioles closer Zach Britton, a two-time All-Star. Britton, also a rental, has allowed just two hits in five appearances in July. Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reported last week that the Phillies had discussed Britton with the Orioles, who they defeated in a makeup game Thursday night. He tweeted Friday evening that he’s “getting the vibe” that the Phillies may be “angling” to complete a mega-trade that nets them both Machado and Britton. However, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports said Saturday that the Orioles would prefer to deal Machado and Britton separately.
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