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Red Sox free agency: Looking at potential bullpen options

By Rick McNair

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: Joe Kelly #56 of the Boston Red Sox delivers the pitch during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Five of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: Joe Kelly #56 of the Boston Red Sox delivers the pitch during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Five of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 17: Tony Sipp #29 of the Houston Astros pitches in the ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox during Game Four of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 17, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 17: Tony Sipp #29 of the Houston Astros pitches in the ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox during Game Four of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 17, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Left-handed relief pitching was highly touted as a need for the Red Sox bullpen and a well-seasoned veteran is now a free agent – Tony Sipp.  The 35-year-old Sipp is coming off a 3-year, $18 MM deal with the Astros and had arguably his finest season in 2018 appearing in 54 games, tossing 38.2 innings, and having a very respectable 1.86 ERA/2.41 FIP.

Sipp is viewed as a situational lefty meaning just that – a specialist for left-handed hitters, but for his career lefties hit Sipp at .221 and righties at .216 with corresponding associate numbers being similar. For a negative Sipp has a career 34.1 GB% and that one pesky nuisance – a 4.0 BB/9 (3.0 BB/9 in 2018).

Sipp mixes up three pitches – a fastball (91.8 v), slider, and change. In 2018 Sipp had a 13.7 SwStr% (swinging strike) and for comparison, Kelly posted a 10.8%. And then the price tag. Sipp was paid $157,000 per inning – Chris Sale was paid $76,000 per inning.

Just what will the market offer for Sipp? Relief pitching is certainly valued and Sipp is coming off an outstanding season for a great Astros team – a perfect fiscal storm for Sipp. That said I would be hesitant on signing Sipp despite the fact he would certainly be a suitable addition since his 2016-17 performance scares me off.

VERDICT: Pass

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