The Yankees’ bullpen was already a strength at the start of the day Thursday. Now it’s poised to be even better.
As first reported by Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Yankees have signed reliever Adam Ottavino to a three-year contract. Jon Heyman of Fancred hears that the deal will be worth $27 million guaranteed. It’s another impact move after the club already retained Zach Britton for three years and $39 million earlier this month.
Ottavino, a native New Yorker, enjoyed a huge walk year in Colorado with a 2.43 ERA and 112/36 K/BB ratio over 77 2/3 innings. His strikeout percentage was fourth-highest among pitchers with at least 70 innings pitched. Only Josh Hader and Edwin Diaz struck out more batters among relievers.
The 33-year-old Ottavino struggled big-time with his control in 2017 while posting a 5.06 ERA. In fact, his first-pitch strike percentage (46.9 percent) was the lowest among all pitchers with at least 50 innings pitched. Not ideal when you call Coors Field home. However, he improved that number to 60.2 percent in 2018. Ottavino carries an injury history, but there’s no doubting his stuff if healthy. Now that he's headed to the Bronx, surely nobody is going to ask him about his recent assertion that he'd strike out Babe Ruth "every time."
Aside from Ottavino and Britton, the Yankees are also locked and loaded with the likes of Aroldis Chapman, Dellin Betances, Chad Green, Jonathan Holder, and Tommy Kahnle in their bullpen. That group struck out 538 batters in 2018. Good golly. It’s hard to look at the exceptional depth of the Yankees’ bullpen and not think about the contrast with the defending World Series champion Red Sox. Joe Kelly moved on with a three-year, $21 million contract with the Dodgers and Boston appears unwilling to meet the asking price of closer Craig Kimbrel, so the team’s top late-inning relief options at the moment are Matt Barnes and Ryan Brasier. There’s still time to add, but the situation doesn’t inspire confidence.
There are still plenty of notable relievers on the market, even looking beyond Kimbrel. Brad Boxberger, Adam Warren, Greg Holland, Brad Brach, Justin Wilson, Bud Norris, and Sergio Romo are among them.
Allen to Angels
You’ll notice that former Indians closer Cody Allen wasn’t included in the list above and that’s because he’s reportedly on his way to the Angels. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic writes that it’s believed an agreement is in place for a one-year deal, pending a physical. Terms weren’t yet available as of late Thursday evening.
The market for Allen has been quiet after he struggled with a 4.70 ERA over 70 appearances in 2018. The 30-year-old saw decreases in velocity, strikeout percentage, and swinging strike rate while posting his highest walk rate since 2012 and giving up a career-high 11 homers. Despite that, Rosenthal writes that Allen was looking for an opportunity to close. The Angels would seem to be a good match on that end, as Ty Buttrey, Justin Anderson, and Cam Bedrosian are at the top of the depth chart at the moment. It should be Allen's job.
Allen entered 2018 with a 2.67 ERA over 386 appearances for his career and was among the league’s best closers from 2014-2017, so it’s hard to fault the Angels for gambling on a rebound. If he’s able to bounce back and re-establish his value, he could cash in nicely next offseason.
Machado Market
It’s mid-January and we’re still waiting on a resolution regarding top free agents Manny Machado and Bryce Harper. Things at least got interesting for a few hours on Wednesday when Buster Olney of ESPN reported that Machado’s offer from the White Sox checked in at seven years and $175 million, a shockingly low number given expectations going into the winter. The report was quickly refuted and even resulted in a scathing statement from Machado’s agent, Dan Lozano.
If anything, this episode functions as a reminder that many of the reports during the offseason are being leaked by someone with an agenda. It could be from a team source or an agent, but part of the goal is to influence negotiations. Fans are understandably champing at the bit for some action on these big names, but the reports we see need to be taken with a grain of salt. The same can be said for Lozano’s statement, really.
With that out of the way, we know that the White Sox and Phillies have been linked most prominently to Machado, with the Yankees potentially lurking in the background. It’s crazy that this would be the extent of the market for an elite player going into his age-26 season. Harper’s market has been similarly limited, with the White Sox and Phillies also in the mix there. What is going on here? We’re no closer to an answer just yet.
Quick Hits: Jon Heyman of Fancred reports that the Yankees are “working hard now” on a trade involving right-hander Sonny Gray, though David O’Brien of The Athletic hears that the Braves aren’t interested … Heyman also reports that the Yankees are getting calls on relievers Jonathan Holder and Tommy Kahnle … The Diamondbacks have reportedly agreed to a one-year, $4.25 million contract with former Mets infielder Wilmer Flores, who is expected to play second base while Ketel Marte will make the move to center field … Dustin Pedroia (knee) has resumed running in preparation for the 2019 season, though Red Sox president baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said he feels comfortable with Eduardo Nunez and Brock Holt as insurance at second base … Alex Reyes (lat) has already been throwing over the last couple of weeks at the Cardinals’ spring training complex in Jupiter, Florida … Red Sox president baseball operations Dave Dombrowski told reporters on Thursday that it’s unlikely Carson Smith (shoulder) is ready for the start of the season … The Nationals signed left-hander Vidal Nuno to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training … Royals left-hander Eric Skoglund was suspended 80 games by MLB on Wednesday for PED violations … Former Rangers closer Shawn Tolleson has retired following another setback from Tommy John surgery … The Cubs claimed left-hander Ian Clarkin off waivers from the White Sox …
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