The Reds have made a series of moves to shape the club’s roster on the first day of the offseason, as the club announced. Cincinnati will decline its club options over righty Burke Badenhop and utilityman Skip Schumaker and has outrighted right-hander Sam LeCure.
Badenhop, 32, has long been a sturdy reliever. He joined the club on a one-year deal with an option that seemed likely to be exercised — it contained a $1.5MM buyout and $4MM value — but began and ended his season with rough stretches (at least in the earned run department). The first and last impressions didn’t help, but Badenhop also put up a 3.93 ERA that landed well above his recent years’ marks and did not impress ERA estimators along the way. Still, he ought to draw plenty of interest from teams looking for solid innings — especially if they are drawn to groundball producers.
The 35-year-old Schumaker had a two-year guarantee, but contributed just a .238/.297/.322 batting line over his 539 plate appearances over the last two years. That made it rather an easy decision to buy out his $2.5MM option for $500K. While Schumaker is valued for his defensive versatility, he’s rated well below replacement level for each of the past three seasons.
As for LeCure, who’s 31 years of age, 2015 was a major disappointment despite the fact that he carried a 3.15 ERA. That’s because he started the year in the minors and ultimately threw only twenty MLB frames. LeCure has continued to see his strikeout and swinging strike rates fall along with his velocity in recent seasons.
All told, it’s not exactly surprising to see Cincinnati parting with these kinds of veteran players, though it wouldn’t have cost much to retain them. The organization now has more youthful options in both the infield and the bullpen after its trade activity over the last year or so.
Interesting on Badenhop. They didn’t take him on a 2.5M decision? He might just top that on the FA market.
I agree that Badenhop will probably top 2.5 MM but he doesn’t have much value to the Reds right now. They need to trade their remaining veterans and rebuild.
Not shocked at the move, but dealing him and $1M for organizational filler would have been feasible.
Why pay to get organizational filler? There will plenty of filler available for free near the end of free agency.
for the cost savings…
He couldn’t top 2.5M$ 12 months ago, why would he now?
He got a 4M guarantee 12 months ago. It was built in through the buyout on the option. He either got 1/4M, or 2/6.5M.
He waited until late in the season to sign as a setup man, that’s why he failed to get a decent deal. look at Soriano and Shaky Gonzalez, those those 2 were Boras holdouts.
Badenhop was solid 7-8th inning for both the Marlins and Boston.
Badenhop was HORRID for the Reds last year. I watched almost every Reds game last year and he just stunk up the place most of the time. Whoever signs him for the minimum salary will be greatly disappointed. Whoever signs him for more than $2.5 million will be a fool.
Lots of teams need bullpen help (points to my Mariners!)
No more Shumaker.
I’m. So. Happy.
Red Sox should toss out an offer to Badenhop. He had success there and maybe he’s a good fit in Boston.
Needed to be done
Tigers could require badenhop
NOOOOOO
Don’t let Badenhop’s numbers fool you, he was terrible last year. In any meaningful spot he stunk up the joint. He pitched decently in garbage time.
Some stats to follow up on that:
OPS against when Reds were winning: .985
OPS when Reds already losing: .611
OPS in high leverage: .884
OPS in medium leverage: .574
OPS in low leverage: .672
Badenhop isn’t a surprise. The other two kind of are. I thought Schumaker did well last year. Surprised at the final numbers. Why is Lecure suddenly on the outs ? He was sooooo good for so long, whatever his role was . Oh well. They’ll have an even younger staff next year. Plenty of options for the 10-12 spots. Will Bruce be back ? Phillips ? Bailey if he’s healthy ? They should’ve never given Bailey thst contract. Yes, he’s had two no hitters( A friend and I witnessed the second one in person), but outside of that , only injury and mediocrity. Send Bailey and Bruce home to Texas. Bring Derek Holland home, if he’s healthy.
We finished in last with the group that was let go. Not a great loss.