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.
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The last two seasons have a warning note that harkens back to the Dodgers – a 1.6 HR/9 in 2017 and a 1.4 HR/9 in 2016. In 2015 that figure was just 0.5 HR/9 in 72 games. And it was not home run happy Wrigley as six went out on the road and four at home in 2017. Maybe a bit of jazz is coming off old number one?
Rondon made $5.8 Million in 2017 and will eventually hope to come close to that figure on the open market. As a third-year arbitration eligible player, the methodology of the Cubs is clear. Avoid arbitration.
Rondon is a lesser pitching product than the aforementioned Hughes, but Rondon does have that “big arm” that creates GM lust. Rondon also had agreeable splits in 2017 with lefties (.230) and righties (.234) and that curtails the mix and match option somewhat. And need a closer?
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The Red Sox need for Rondon is minimal when you factor in cost and the fact that Barnes, Brandon Workman, and Heath Hembree can provide the same level and far cheaper.
Signing Possibility: None
Sources: Fangraphs.com