Two more lefty relievers come off the board

If the Nationals intend to acquire another left-hander for their bullpen before spring training, they'd better hurry. The ranks of available arms are beginning to thin out.

Two more southpaws came off the board Friday when Justin Wilson signed with the Mets and Oliver Pérez re-signed with the Indians.

Wilson, owner of a 3.33 ERA and 1.268 WHIP in seven seasons with the Pirates, Yankees, Tigers and Cubs, reportedly agreed to a two-year, $10 million deal with the Mets. The Nationals had shown interest in the past in the 31-year-old, who despite an erratic 2018 season in Chicago held left-handed batters to a .188/.301/.342 slash line.

Pérez, meanwhile, decided to stay in Cleveland after enjoying a quietly dominant season there following his two years with the Nats. The 37-year-old had a 1.39 ERA and 0.742 WHIP in 51 games (though he only totaled 32 1/3 innings) for the Indians. He'll return on a deal that guarantees him a reported $2.5 million this season and includes a $2.75 million option for 2020.

Among the left-handed relievers still available on the market are veteran Tony Sipp (1.86 ERA, 1.034 WHIP for the Astros last season), Dan Jennings (3.22 ERA, 1.383 WHIP for the Brewers), Xavier Cedeño (2.43 ERA, 1.260 WHIP for the White Sox and Brewers) and Jorge de la Rosa (3.38 ERA, 1.393 WHIP for the Diamondbacks and Cubs).

It's not entirely clear the Nationals will pursue another lefty, though. In addition to closer Sean Doolittle, they have Matt Grace coming off a strong season in a variety of roles, plus Sammy Solís (who some club executives believe has a bounceback performance in him after a disastrous 2018 campaign). The club also recently signed Vidal Nuño to a minor league deal; the veteran lefty could be used as a starter, long reliever or potentially even a later-inning arm.