PORT ST. LUCIE — Jose Valverde, come on down.
In an effort to find veteran help for the back of the bullpen, the Mets signed Valverde to a minor league contract Wednesday. It could have been worse. They could have invited back Frank Francisco.
In 2011 Valverde was a perfect 49-for-49 in saves for the Tigers, but his career has been in a downward spiral since. It makes sense, though, to bring in Valverde because essentially the Mets have nothing to lose, and closer Bobby Parnell is coming off neck surgery to repair a herniated disk. The Mets are lining up the Ghosts of Closers Past this spring — they also will give Kyle Farnsworth a look, too.
The numbers were not pretty for Valverde last season when he compiled a 5.59 ERA, managing to save nine games in 12 opportunities before being released by the Tigers. It all began to fall apart for Valverde in the 2012 postseason when he surrendered nine runs in 2 1/3 innings. Over his career he owns 286 saves but is 0-3 in the postseason with a 9.82 ERA.
The fifth spot in the rotation will be a fun competition in camp, and veteran lefty John Lannan, 29, proclaimed himself completely healthy to give Daisuke Matsuzaka and the young arms a run for their money.
Lannan’s season came to an early end in 2013 with the Phillies when he had to undergo surgery to repair a torn tendon that connects the quadriceps to the knee in his left leg, his push-off leg. He was 3-6 with a 5.33 ERA over 14 starts.
“I had a decent size tear and there and they had to go in there and reattach it and keep [my leg] straight for three weeks, but I’m ready to compete,’’ said Lannan, who grew up on Long Island a Yankees fan, but who often attended games at Shea Staduium.
“I did go to Shea Stadium a lot,’’ said Lannan, who won 10 games for the Nationals in 2011. “I loved it. I liked pitching there. I liked watching games there. All my baseball memories make me the player I am today and Shea had a lot to do with that.’’
He lives in Florida now but visits Long Island every Christmas season. He is stoked to compete.
“You got young guys and you got veteran guys,’’ he said of the competition that includes Jenrry Mejia and Jacob deGrom. “It’s always good to have some young arms and older guys compete for a spot. This is the best opportunity for me.’’