Mets sign Anthony Swarzak to 2-year deal

Anthony Swarzak gets some hard-earned job security after entering spring training as a non-roster invitee for three straight years.

The Mets have agreed to a two-year, $14 million contract with right-handed reliever Anthony Swarzak, as Newsday’s Marc Carig reported first on Wednesday. The deal is pending a physical.

Swarzak, 32, had a breakout season in 2017, posting a 2.33 ERA with a 1.03 WHIP, 91 strikeouts, and 20 walks over 77.1 innings spanning 70 appearances split between the White Sox and Brewers. Swarzak signed a minor-league deal with the White Sox last offseason and ended up forcing his way onto Chicago’s Opening Day roster, and he was dealt to Milwaukee on July 26 as the Brewers attempted to boost their relief corps for the stretch run.

Swarzak hasn’t been exceptionally consistent throughout his eight-year major-league career, though. Through 287 appearances, including 32 starts, Swarzak has a 4.22 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 402 strikeouts, and 160 walks in 561.1 innings.

The multi-year major-league deal is a nice change for Swarzak, who has entered spring training as a non-roster invitee with three different teams over the past three years.

The Mets needed to act quickly to boost their bullpen on Wednesday after missing out on top targets Bryan Shaw and Tommy Hunter on Tuesday night. While they could still add more bullpen depth throughout the course of the offseason, Swarzak is expected to combine with Jerry Blevins to help bridge the gap to AJ Ramos and Jeurys Familia in the late innings.