Boston Red Sox non-tendered pitching possibilities
Picking through the remains of what is left after the non-tendered contracts via MLBTR gives some possible choices that could potentially help the more desperate teams – a category that the Boston Red Sox clearly falls into.
The Red Sox staff would have a baseball FEMA running for cover. The detritus left behind is usually there for the most obvious of reasons – they were rejected over a multitude of issues with money and poor performance being the most apparent. I’ll skip over some of the less remarkable which in itself is a challenge. For the good news, most will be clearly discounted in salary.
Left-hander Tyler Anderson made 11 starts for the Giants (4-3, 4.37 ERA) and in 2018 made 32 starts for the Rockies. Anderson is a lower rotation guy who posted a 0.7 fWAR for his 2020 efforts. Anderson is a low 90s hurler who resorts to a fastball/cutter and a change.
Right-hander Chi Chi Gonzalez is now available. In four MLB seasons, the 29-year-old (baseball age) is 6-16 with a 5.12 ERA/5.35 FIP. The scary part is a career 4.7 BB/9 versus 5.8 K/9.
Lefty Carlos Rodon has an interesting statistical path in his six seasons with the White Sox – each year his ERA went progressively up, topping out at 8.22 in 2020. The 28-year-old will probably be capturing a minor league deal somewhere and hopefully not Boston.
A few seasons back, 29-year-old right-hander Jose Urena was a mid-rotation pitcher for Miami going 14-7 in 28 starts. In 2020, Urena almost had his 5.0 BB/9 match his 5.8 K/9. The only plus with Urena is he throws hard – the mid to upper 90s.
The Mets non-tendered lefty Chasen Shreve despite a 3.96 ERA/3.99 FIP with a 12.24 K/9 and 4.32 BB/9 in 25 innings. For his career, Shreve is 18-8 with a 3.74 ERA/4.71 FIP and a dismal 4.5 BB/9. Shreve – a former Yankee – finished 2020 with a 0.2 fWAR. Might be worth a look since he was projected at $1 MM.
The Angels sent 28-year-old left-hander Justin Anderson packing despite a 3-0 record in 2020. Of course, that record had an addendum of a 5.55 ERA over 47 innings. As sour as that is you scan and stare at a 6.5 BB/9.
Righty Matt Andriese has flipped between the ‘pen and spot starting in his six seasons with tepid results (26-34, 4.57 ERA). For his career, the former Ray, Diamondback, and Angel has a 2.6 BB/9 and 8.3 K/9 but has an issue of keeping the ball within the confines of the playing field with a career 1.3 H/9. In 2020, Andriese posted a 0.6 bWAR and could be some bullpen depth.
Archie Bradley is a 28-year-old righty who the Reds avoided paying and he does have a few statistical positives. In 2020, Bradley had a 2.95 ERA, but, alas that was spread over just 18.1 Innings. For his six-year MLB career, Bradley has a 3.91 ERA and anything under 4.00 deserves a second glance as does a 0.6 fWAR for 2020. Bradley may get some serious offers.
The Cardinals have a rep for pitching development so when a Card hits the board it is worth a look. Lefty John Brebbia has just a career 28 GB%, throws in the mid-90s, and has respectable control with a career 3.14 ERA/3.39 FIP, and is not a walks machine thanks to a 2.8 BB/9. A solid 1.3 fWAR in 2020.
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The Yankees no longer have Jonathan Holder and that is a sorry case for Red Sox hitters. Holder has been slashed at .307/.372/.520 by Boston bats. Holder had a misleading 3-0 record in 2020 since the peripherals spelled out a different tune – a 4.98 ERA/5.22 FIP, 5.8 K/9, 4.6 BB/9, and -0.1 fWAR.
Hansel Robles is an interesting name and an interesting possibility. The 30-year-old was cut loose by the Angels and in 2019 bagged 23 saves against just four blown saves. The 2020 season was a disaster for Robles with a -0.2 fWAR and 10.26 ERA. Robles can “bring it” with heat in the high 90s.
The Mets have non-tendered righty Paul Sewald who seems to typify far too many of the arms that are now on the market. Sewald is 1-14 in his four years of MLB with a 5.50 ERA. Sewald will undoubtedly surface as roster filler somewhere with a minor league deal.
Looking for a potential closer? Right-hander Ryan Tepera is now available with 10 career saves and 11 blown saves. At 33-years-old and with a lukewarm statistical resume, Tepera’s market may be as slim as a Kenyan marathoner.
Former Twin Matt Wisler lives and dies off his slider that he tosses 83% in 2020. Wisler had a remarkable 1.07 ERA in 2020 and an impressive 12.4 K/9 and less than impressive 5.0 BB/9. The right-hander is 28 years old and had a 0.6 fWAR for 2020. Not bad.
28-year-old left-hander Alex Claudio has been cut loose by the Brew Crew. Claudio has appeared in 311 games spread over seven seasons with Texas and Milwaukee. Over that span, Claudio has a 60.6 GB% and 2.3 BB/9. Speed? Think Jamie Moyer as Claudio tossed his “heater” in the low 80s.