The Brewers and free-agent lefty Boone Logan are engaged in contract discussions, writes MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy. It seems likely the sides will formalize an agreement, though it won’t be finalized until after the new year. Chuck Miketinac of FOX Sports San Antonio tweeted recently that a deal was in place.
Milwaukee was light on left-handed bullpen help for much of the 2017 season. Indeed, at multiple points throughout the year, the club didn’t have a lefty in its bullpen at all. Adding Logan would give the club an experienced southpaw to help fill that void, though he is coming off an injury-shortened season with the Indians.
The 33-year-old Logan hit the disabled list with a strained lat muscle in late July, and that injury ultimately proved to be season-ending in nature. He wound up tossing just 21 innings in 38 appearances as a lefty specialist in Cleveland, working to a 4.71 ERA. That said, Logan racked up a dozen strikeouts per nine against 3.9 walks per nine along with a fifty percent grounder rate.
All told, Logan seems to represent rather an appealing buy-low target. He still delivered his four and two-seam heaters at around 94 mph and posted a career-high 18.5% swinging-strike rate in 2017. Some common indicators of poor fortune are also present, as opposing hitters posted a lofty .353 batting average on balls in play and Logan stranded only 62.5% of baserunners.
So long as he can stay healthy, Logan could deliver good value on a limited commitment. He has not always produced exciting earned-run results, but has a long history of lofty whiff rates and of being hard on opposing lefties. Of course, we don’t yet know the prospective contract terms — or whether a deal will be consummate.
Guys great against lefties.
Tigers should offer him the closer role. Bet he’ll sign on the dotted line real quickly.
Have Shane Greene for that.
Closers are the absolute last thing a terrible team needs.
I liked boonie when he was here in ny
He was an absolute waste on Cleveland. A one out lefty getting $6-7 mil was about $5-6 mil too much, and then he got hurt.
Logan had VERY pedestrian results in the first half which is why Francona only used him sparingly, and then to be out for 3+ months with a lat strain? Seriously? Bad year in CLE for sure.
There are too many mediocre starters in AA or AAA that could be used in loogy role for fraction of the cost and probably more effective.
I made 87 dollars on bottle returns
87 dollars wouldn’t even buy a carton of cigarettes in Chicago
As long as it’s a one year deal and not for more than about $1.5M, decent enough LOOGY to pair with Hader in the bullpen.
Though this doesn’t excite much at all, an “appealing low-buy target” is exactly what Stearns is constantly targeting. I agree that over $2MM including incentives would be a bit much. Maybe add a club option and we’re set.
Until Davis today buy-low targets are the only pitchers that have really been signing. Brewers will make a run at some higher level pitchers, but they all seem to be waiting for the first pin to drop.
Total bust in CLE. Maybe he’ll get picked up cheap and pay dividends.