Red Sox possibilities on Non-Tender roster options

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The non-tendered players are accumulating and that may offer some possibilities for the Boston Red Sox to surface. Here is a look at a few and the chances of signing them.

The non-tender season is now upon Major League Baseball as teams cut ties with a variety of players who have been deemed expendable. The exit may be based on salary, projections, talent, injury, potential arbitration or a combination of all.

Boston had a shopping tradition known as Filene’s Basement where goods from the floors above would eventually work their way into the basement at drastically reduced prices – prices that would continue to be reduced until the shelves were cleared. The Basement is still in operation, but not on the long-gone site of the department store.

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Non-Tender is potentially a bargain basement for the astute shopper – meaning baseball operations. Think of an NFL team that suddenly fills a need by grabbing someone off another team’s practice squad. In most instances it accomplishes little, but the non-tender can fill a need. A Matt Adams will most certainly find a home since Adams can hit.

The non-tender of my interest is with pitching. The Red Sox have no need for a Ryan Goins or Danny Santana, but pitching is always of value. The pitching, however, is not the type that will send a quiver of fear of those with a tenuous hold on the rotation or bullpen. What is searched out is that arm or arms that can be stuffed away on a minor league deal until proven a mistake or the possibility of providing some needed help. Think Sean O’Sullivan.

There is still a gem or two or three available and I have noted a few in the following post along with my view of the potential for signing. Reader beware that with some mentioned, if you have them on your roster during the season things are probably going rather bleak.

With Doug Fister going to the Rangers there is another Texas possibility that has surfaced in 32-year-old right-hander Mike Fiers. Fiers now has a ring for his service with the champion Astros in 2017 but has been non-tendered as the reward for his service.

Fiers tosses four basic pitches – curve, change, slider and four-seam fastball that tops out in the low – very low – 90s. Fiers was in the Astros rotation until the arrival of one Justin Verlander and that is certainly noted as an upgrade of significance. The core numbers were rather Fister like with a 5.22 ERA, 5.43 FIP, and 0.1 fWAR. Fiers posted a 3.6 BB/9 and 8.6 K/9 for his 153 innings in 2017.

What catches the attention is a 1.9 HR/9 rate and managing to lead the American League in hit batters with 13. The previous season Fiers led the AL in balks with 17. In 2017 that balk total was reduced to a mere 11. Fiers finished up with an 8-10 record, but 2016 was a season that showed better results. Is a return possible?

In 2016 Fiers finished the season 11-8 with a far more respectable 4.48 ERA. What is also of caution is despite pitching in hitter-friendly Minute Maid Park Fiers has more difficulty on the road. Scanning Fiers’ career and 2017 season what is obvious is a number five rotation pitcher or spot starter – essentially his role with the Astros after Verlander landed in Houston.

Pitching is a perpetual need and with Eduardo Rodriguez out for the first two months of 2018, the Red Sox certainly could use some added depth. Fister just signed a two-year deal for $8 Million so Fiers may be in that range. Fiers will have suitors and his salary is of consideration, but do they have other cheaper options?

My first reaction is the Red Sox have Hector Velazquez who was impressive at both Pawtucket and Boston in 2017. Reaction two is the Red Sox continually talk about “stretching out” pitchers most notably Matt Barnes. A certainly less expensive option.

Fiers may be the best available starter for pitchers with a rather questionable return and a signing would represent an insurance policy based on previous history. Is Steven Wright and David Price ready to go a full slate? How long will the Rodriguez recovery be? Who else will break down in spring training or during the season? Sometimes it is worth buying insurance and other times it is not.

Signing Possibility: Good

ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 10: A.J. Griffin /

Rick Porcello led the American League in home runs allowed and that is something 29-year-old right-hander A.J. Griffin accomplished with the Oakland Athletics in 2013 when Griffin watched 36 of his pitches leave the yard. Not very promising.

Griffin reads like a script to a medical show with multiple arm issues that certainly have derailed his career. In 2017 with the Rangers Griffin did little to merit attention with a 6-6 record and 5.94 ERA. A 6.26 FIP explains there is nothing statistically misleading regarding Griffin’s ERA.

Attempting to find a positive in Griffin’s 2017 season is like trying to find the Holy Grail or a sane Tweet from you know who, but there is one nugget of note – lefties hit “only” .242 to righties .263. But those home runs! Last year the 2.1 HR/9 ties directly to a 28.5 GB%. For his career, it is a 31.7 GB%. So why even look at this guy?

Griffin, when he was 100%, was a rather respectable pitcher who went 14-10 for the A’s in 2013. This is not a pitcher to have any elevated hope to once again achieve that level of performance, but this is a search for roster filler or minor league depth and Griffin meets that criteria.

The contract would be inconsequential, and the chances of career recovery may be enticement enough for Griffin to enjoy all the pleasures of Pawtucket as he attempts to reconstruct his career. A very low-risk investment.

Signing Possibility: Low

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – SEPTEMBER 20: Drew Smyly /

Why is Drew Smyly being non-tendered? The quick answer is 2017 is a void in his baseball history as the result of you-know-what type of elbow surgery. Smyly was with Seattle for which they had traded three prospects, so the Mariners have little to show for having Smyly around.

Is a 3-1 record, 2.18 ERA, and 0.99 WHIP impressive? That is what Smyly has accomplished against Boston with his decent 92 MPH fastball, 12-6 curve, change-up, and slider. Seemed every time Smyly took the mound against Boston he looked more like Clayton Kershaw than a run of the mill lefty.

With Smyly – now 28-years-old – it is all about recovery and a team having patience. If Smyly returns to his career numbers, you have a pitcher who gives a better than 50/50 shot at winning. For his career, Smyly has a 3.74 ERA, 3.82 FIP, 2.5 BB/9 and 8.7 K/9. A downside is a 36.3 GB%. In his last healthy season (2016) the 7-12 Smyly had a 2.0 fWAR with Tampa.

The Red Sox are lefty-heavy and Smyly – like Rodriguez – will not be ready for the April opening bell. A certain detriment for any team that has a Veruca Salt “I want it now” approach to their roster, but sometimes patience can be rewarded as invariably pitching casualties accumulate as the season progresses.

The chances are the Red Sox will pass on Smyly, but the potential of a possible lower rotation starter with some talent may be tempting if the money is low enough.

Signing Possibility: Moderate/Low

PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 25: T.J. McFarland /

I enjoyed the “Our Gang” comedies growing up especially “Spanky” McFarland and now T.J. McFarland is on the market. Spanky may be a better option than the now 28-year-old left-hander who pitched for Arizona in 2017 after four seasons with Baltimore.

The key ingredient with McFarland is his genetics that has assigned him the ability to throw with his left hand – an advantage that seems to create longevity that exceeds talent, but baseball always seems to have a place for a lefty out of the bullpen. The problem with this particular lefty is his career numbers are nothing spectacular.

McFarland’s has a 4.49 career ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9, and a low 5.5 K/9. McFarland relies on a low-90s fastball 70% of the time with a change up and slider filling out the selection. And then there is a 10.8 H/9. So, the career numbers certainly have a storm warning flag as does a .270 career average by lefty hitters – so why waste the time?

McFarland – besides my childhood memories of Spanky – does offer up a player who may be on the cusp of unemployment. A perfect fit for a potential minor league deal and a check of short-term rentals in the Pawtucket housing market.

Signing Possibility: Moderate

MILWAUKEE, WI – SEPTEMBER 16: Jared Hughes /

Why is Jared Hughes being non-tendered? Last season the right-handed Hughes was solid out of the bullpen for the Brewers with a 5-3, 5-3, 3.02 ERA, 67 games, 59.2 innings pitched, 1.22 WHIP, 3.6 BB/9, 7.2 K/9 that certainly draws attention for those desiring bullpen help. Hughes seemed to fill the gap created by the departure of Tyler Thornburg. Hughes also had a 0.5 fWAR for 2017.

What is the issue? The money obvious surfaces as a third-year arbitration coming off a career season will show a welcome – at least for one season – to the world of the 1%. Hughes also is the lefty hitter’s friend as they hit the righty at a .282 clip. Righties hit just .206.

Hughes is a two-pitch pitcher with his fastball as his major calling card being tossed 77.5% with a 93.5 velocity. Hughes also works in a slider to change things up. For his career, Hughes has a 2.85 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP, so Hughes has control keeps the ball in the park (career 0.7 HR/9) and hears the call with 60+ appearances the last four seasons.

Hughes will be in demand and undoubtedly look for a multi-year deal now that he is 32-years-old. With the previously mentioned McFarland market conditions and performance will impact his ability at securing an MLB position – not so with Hughes who may be an under the radar hot commodity.

Hughes is certainly worth a look and a call to his agents. With Addison Reed gone, Carson Smith still of concern and Thornburg out to pasture Hughes may be practical, but probably the pricy possibility. I would place his acquisition on the potential low-end of the spectrum.

Signing Possibility: Low

CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 19: Hector Rondon /

When last seen, Hector Rondon was doing everything possible to assist the Dodgers into the World Series. Rondon’s loss and two home runs allowed were of great comfort to The Blue. Now the Cubs have decided to relieve their fans and team of bad memories with a baseball exorcism and Rondon is on the market.

The 29-year-old righty appeared in 61 games for the Cubbies and finished with a career second highest 4.24 ERA working – as Rondon always has – out of the bullpen. If you want hard throwers Rondon is one of the hardest with a 96.4 velocity on his fastball. The heater is his primary pitch (61.6%) with a slider filling in the rest. Rondon posted a 0.3 fWAR in 2017.

The non-tendered players are accumulating and that may offer some possibilities for the Boston Red Sox to surface. Here is a look at a few and the chances of signing them.

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