Feb. 15: The Reds announced today that they have voided Manship’s contract. Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that Manship did not pass his physical earlier this week (Twitter link).
Feb. 6: The Reds and free-agent righty Jeff Manship are in agreement on a minor league contract, reports SB Nation’s Chris Cotillo (via Twitter). He’ll be in camp as a non-roster invitee and compete for a roster spot.
Manship, 33, spent the 2017 season in the Korea Baseball Organization, where he posted a 3.67 ERA with 6.9 K/9 against 2.6 BB/9 in 112 2/3 innings for the NC Dinos. Manship worked as a starter in the KBO, taking the mound on 21 occasions, but his most recent MLB work (and the only real MLB success he’s ever experienced) has come out of the bullpen.
Through his first six MLB campaigns, Manship totaled a 6.46 ERA through 139 1/3 innings with the Twins, Rockies and Phillies. However, his career looked to hit a turning point in 2016 when he landed with the Indians and pitched to a scintillating 0.92 ERA in 39 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. He followed that up with a 3.12 mark through 43 1/3 innings the following season, though after a downturn in control that season (4.6 BB/9), metrics like xFIP (4.81) and SIERA (4.53) weren’t nearly as optimistic. Cleveland non-tendered him that December.
In all likelihood, Manship will vie for a spot in the Cincinnati bullpen. The team’s rotation already consists of Anthony DeSclafani, Luis Castillo, Homer Bailey and Brandon Finnegan, and the Reds have plenty of candidates for the fifth and final spot. Tyler Mahle, Sal Romano, Cody Reed, Amir Garrett and Robert Stephenson are among the candidates to round out the starting five. The bullpen offers more opportunity, though the signings of veteran righties David Hernandez and Jared Hughes have already filled two potential vacancies.
I love this move. Manship was great for the Indians in ’15-’16
He’s a soft tossing nobody. I think the Phillies brought him in after Wilson Valdez in that extra inn. Game
Pitching isn’t just about velocity lmao
This is great! I’ve been waiting for the reds to make a move that shows they’re serious about wining
:)
For a moment, I thought I read Reds sign Jeff Mathis.
(But he signed 2 years, $2M year $4M guaranteed with AZ — I think he deserves a minor league deal Lol)
Those who knock someone who has pitched successfully at times should wait and observe. You truly never know until it is post time. As A seasoned Reds fan I will take any possible help. After all we have nothing to lose and can only gain.
Someone should also sign his teammate last year in the KBO, Xavier Scruggs, who was excellent last year.
Scruggs already re-signed with the Dinos for the 2018 season:
mlbtraderumors.com/2018/01/xavier-scruggs-resigns-…
Manship had a .92 ERA in 2015, not 2016 (3.12. ERA in 2016). He could be a multi inning reliever that might become coveted.
Louisville needs some long-relief pitchers, at least four or five.
Jefferson Manship
I guess this ship has sailed, man.
Sounds like back to KBO. Doing well there at least.
I can’t believe you’ve done this
In other news, JD Martinez signed with the NC Dinos of the KBO, finally getting that 6 year contract he was looking for. The AAV is only $10 million, but he’ll get to be the spokesman for Chiswick sneakers, and will be starring in Psy’s next video..
LOL
I’m guessing Manship signing with the Orioles is pretty much out…
He’s more ship now than man.