WASHINGTON — Brad Hand’s final decision last winter came down to signing with the Nationals or Mets.
The lefty reliever, who had been placed on waivers by the Indians as part of a cost-cutting move and then granted free agency, ultimately accepted a one-year deal with the Nationals worth $10.5 million. But he worked out at Nationals Park on Friday wearing the uniform of the team he jilted.
Hand was claimed off waivers by the Mets on Thursday after he was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays, who had acquired him from the Nationals at the trade deadline. Hand was available out of the bullpen in what both he and the Mets hope will be a fruitful one-month marriage. As somebody added to the roster after Aug. 31, Hand would be ineligible for the postseason should the Mets qualify.
Hand was actually returning to Nationals Park for a second time this season with a different team. He pitched there for the Blue Jays on Aug. 18.
“It has been a crazy month for sure, but I am happy to be here and just help any way I can,” Hand said before the Mets’ 6-2, 10-inning victory over the Nationals.
Hand, who did not pitch in the Mets’ win, will provide the Mets with a second lefty reliever, a luxury they have largely lived without this season. The team’s primary option, Aaron Loup, entered play with a 1.18 ERA.
Hand’s season hasn’t been as efficient. In 11 appearances for the Blue Jays he posted a 7.27 ERA. With the Nationals, he appeared in 41 games and pitched to a 3.59 ERA.
“Obviously it hasn’t been great,” Hand said, referring to his season. “I kind of had outings where I felt good and then outings where it wasn’t clicking or stuff wasn’t right, but I was actually able to get some work in the past couple of days in Florida, so I got off the mound the past few days. Health-wise, everything feels good and feels right. I just haven’t been able to get in the groove and get things rolling.”
Hand’s troubles have come mostly throwing his sinker, against which opposing batters have produced a .512 slugging percentage.
“I think he brings a lot of value here,” manager Luis Rojas said. “This is a guy who has been one of the best closers in baseball the last couple of years and for us it’s a luxury that he’s here and he can pitch in a different inning than the ninth and be another weapon as a lefty, like Loupy has been.
“We are aware of the recent struggles. I think it’s been a mix of things and some of the things have been mistakes in the zone — probably a pitch that he would want to execute in-zone and it’s being left over the plate where a batter can take a better swing against him.”
The 31-year-old Hand’s best seasons came with the Padres and Indians, resulting in three All-Star appearances from 2017-19. Hand said he was looking forward to reuniting with Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco, his Cleveland teammates from 2018-20.
What does Hand see in the Mets, who began play five games behind the Braves in the NL East?
“I think early they dealt with a lot of injuries — kind of the whole year they have dealt with a lot of injuries,” Hand said. “But I’m looking forward to joining the ballclub and see where everything plays out.”