Mets find relief in New Year, introducing Dellin Betances

NEW YORK (AP) — This is the next stop on Dellin Betances' subway ride around New York.

After spending his first eight seasons in the majors with the crosstown Yankees, the New Yorker joined the club on a one-year contract with a player option for 2021. The deal was announced on Christmas Eve and guarantees the towering right-handed reliever at least $10.5 million.

“This past week-and-a-half has brought a lot of excitement to myself and my family,” Betances said during his introductory news conference Thursday at Citi Field, where he was joined by more than two dozen family members. “Christmas, in fact, came a little bit early as we celebrated our signing with the New York Mets.”

Betances’ journey has taken him through all five of New York City’s boroughs. Born in Manhattan’s Washington Heights neighborhood, the four-time All-Star grew up on the island’s Lower East Side.

The Yankees drafted Betances out of Brooklyn’s Grand Street Campus High School in 2006. A year later he suited up for Low A Staten Island, eventually making his big league debut at Yankee Stadium in 2011

“I feel like we've been spoiled throughout our career,” the 31-year-old Betances said about playing in the city in which he grew up. “I was definitely excited to stay home. I think the rest of my family were excited, so I think it worked out perfect."

This Big Apple baseball tour culminates with his new team in Queens, where Betances will be counted on to play a key role on a club managed by a former teammate and close friend.

“He’s probably one of the players that I would say is just hungry for baseball,” Betances said of rookie manager Carlos Beltrán. “Obviously, him being the manager here definitely helped out. I know how much a lot of the players are going to be...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Mets-find-relief-in-New-Year-introducing-Dellin-14945610.php