SEATTLE -- The newest Mets reliever, AJ Ramos, could not complete baseball's longest flight itinerary -- Miami to Seattle -- in time to make the Mets' matinee Saturday against the Mariners at Safeco Field. The club expected Ramos to arrive Saturday night, and be available to pitch Sunday.
In the interim, Addison Reed remained with the Mets in a state of limbo. Publicly, the team has told Reed nothing; he is their closer, just as he has been since the day Jeurys Familia landed on the disabled list in May. But privately, the Mets remain active in talks to trade Reed elsewhere, according to sources.
If the Mets can flip Reed for prospects similar to those they gave up to acquire Ramos, they will effectively gain an extra year of an above-average setup man without sacrificing much of their farm. Trading Reed has been a priority for the Mets for weeks -- and with as many as eight suitors involved in the sweepstakes, they anticipate being able to do so.
Reed is aware of the rumors, of course. But there's not much he can do about them.
"As far as I know, I'm still here," Reed said. "So I'm going to keep pitching. Whenever the phone rings and they call my name, I'm going to be ready to go."
In 48 games this season, Reed has posted a 2.57 ERA with 19 saves in 21 chances. The Rays, Red Sox, Dodgers, Brewers and D-backs have all reportedly shown interest in him, though plenty of other relievers -- Brad Hand, Justin Wilson, Zach Britton, Bud Norris and more -- remain available on the market.
"I've been traded twice before," Reed said. "If it's going to happen, it's going to happen. There's nothing I can do about it. So I'm going to come to the field and if my nameplate's up here, I'm going to suit up and go. And if it's not, I'm going to go somewhere else."