"He's had an unbelievable season," said catcher Travis d'Arnaud.
Thrust into the closer's role after Jenrry Mejia's suspension in early April, Familia profiled first as an unproven ninth-inning option. He posted a 2.21 ERA in 2014 mostly in the eighth inning, improving upon but not abandoning the control problems that plagued his early career. He walked almost four batters per nine innings in 2014, while striking out 8.5 per nine. Dominant stuff if he could command it. If not, the Mets were hopeful Bobby Parnell or Vic Black would return to past form.