Feb. 11: Duke’s one-year contract with the Reds has now been announced by the team. He’ll be guaranteed $2MM, according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com (Twitter link).
Feb. 1: The Reds are in agreement on a contract with free-agent lefty Zach Duke, tweets MLB Network’s Jon Heyman. Ken Rosenthal and C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reported last night that the ISE Baseball client was in “serious” negotiations with Cincinnati.
Duke, 36 in April, had mixed results as a starter with the Pirates early in his career but has come into his own in his mid-30s after shifting to the bullpen. That run of success may actually have kicked off with the Reds back in 2013, as Duke signed in Cincinnati after being cut loose by the Nationals and allowed just one run in 14 games (10 2/3 innings).
Over the five seasons that have followed, Duke has logged a 3.12 ERA and 3.35 FIP with 9.7 K/9, 3.8 BB/9, 0.6 HR/9 and a 58 percent ground-ball rate. The 2018 season was his weakest in that stretch, due largely to a poor finish to his season after being traded from the Twins to the Mariners. Duke pitched well in Minnesota, though, and his overall 4.15 ERA, 51-to-21 K/BB ratio and 59.4 percent ground-ball rate through 52 innings last season was solid.
Left-handed opponents, in particular, have struggled with Duke over that strong five-year stretch, hitting him at just a .209/.284/.311 clip. Right-handers have had an easier go of it but haven’t exactly thrived against Duke themselves, hitting him at a .240/.341/.357 clip dating back to the 2014 season.
The Reds weren’t exactly starved for left-handed relief options, but Duke will deepen the mix, and all of the team’s other southpaws have minor league options remaining. Among them are Amir Garrett (who thrived through late June but struggled over the final three months of 2018), Wandy Peralta and Brandon Finnegan. Cody Reed, too, could be a left-handed option for the Reds if he can’t earn a look as a starter in a suddenly crowded rotation.
It’s been a highly active offseason for the Reds’ front office. Already on board are Sonny Gray, Alex Wood, Tanner Roark, Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp, with the organization reportedly still considering the possibility of adding a center fielder as well.
Good
Just out of curiosity, which of the 30 teams are you not a fan of?
portland
Excellent
Yes, I’d like to know as well. Lol
Yankees
He’s not a fan of math.
The Duchess approves.
As a Reds fan, I gotta say that I am pretty impressed and happy overall with their moves this off-season. All the moves seem to make sense and aren’t too risky. I haven’t been this excited about a season in 5-6 years.
its impressive how good of a team they’ve built with very little loss.
exactly… the Reds have given up very little
Absolutely, they are in a spot to compete this season and have plenty of flexibility and options for the future.
Great, now they can focus on Realmuto!
So… many… commas…
Zach is coming back to his old stomping ground!
Have to give their owner credit. He opened up his checkbook and is doing what he said he would. They have added a lot of talent without moving their “ big six “ prospects.
Like this signing a lot, especially the nearly 60% ground ball rate. Always helps at a park like GABP.
On to the next move.
Wonder if this is a step towards a bigger trade involving some of the reds current pitching. Either Realmuto from Miami or a bigger package for Corey Kluber. Don’t know if a package of Jesse Winker, Jonathan India, Amir Garrett, Anthony Descalafini and Robert Stephenson would get a Kluber from Cleveland. Or an India, Tucker Barnhart and Amir Garrett and Stephenson for Realmuto
That’s WAY too much to give up for a pitcher starting the downside of his career or 2 years of a catcher they don’t have to have to still compete.
I think the Reds have found the new market inefficiency….competing.
Haha. Well said!
That is the best comment I’ve read this year.
I’d like to see the contract terms, but it sounds good. Adding a Lefty Vet to pair with our Righty vets Iggy, Hughes, Hernandez. Assuming Lorenzen, and Garrett are locks that a 7 man pen.
Math isn’t my strong suit, lol. One spot remains.
Plenty of guys for the long man role. Romano, Stephenson, Wisler, etc..definitely roll with a 7 man pen since Lorenzen can hit/play the outfield
Are the Reds going to go after a #1 or #2 starter? Seems like that’s the move they need to address if they are serious about possibly contending. I dont like the idea of the above trade for Kluber. Would much rather go after Houstons free agent pitcher. Would have to suck up salary this year but alot of money coming off books after next season and hopefully by then we will have prospects filling spots with lower salaries.
I think the Reds are well beyond demonstrating that they are “serious about possibly contending” and certainly do not need to add an ace to be considered serious contenders.
With their roster as it is they are already a strong dark horse candidate in the NL Central. If they added an ace like Kluber they would not just be serious contenders, they would be favored to win the division.
Cincinnati front office has done absolutely outstanding work this off season.
The Reds should start the season with the rotation they currently have built. If they are in contention at the trading deadline they could go after a TOR arm from whichever NL East team that has fallen out of contention. One of those four is surely going to underperform and make players available.
A bonafide ace would be great for the Reds, but I believe they did the right thing in not giving up Senzel and/or Trammel for Kluber, Bauer, or Syndergaard. There will be opportunites at the deadline to upgrade the rotation, if necessary, and if they’re in contention.
Bumgarner?
Stroman if he regains his stuff and stays healthy…
Problem with that is Kluber is an ace .. Kuechel is closer to a number 3
Keuchel isn’t consistent year to year. He could be an ace or a number two. He could also pitch like a fifth starter.
So if season starts with current rosters how do you see NL Central finishing?
Reds
Cubs
Brewers
Cardinals
Pirates
I love my Reds, but that’s not realistic. It’s the Cubs/Brewers to lose. I would be giddy for the Reds fighting for a WC spot in Sept.
It’s not unrealistic.
Brewers are likely to regress considerably this year. I may should have put them behind the Cardinals.
Have to appreciate a team doing whatever it can to put a competitive product on the field. Hope it works out. The middle class of MLB is non existent. Seems like teams are either going for it or effectively tanking.
Imagine that lineup if Senzel can play a decent center and they trade for Realmuto.
Peraza
Senzel
Votto
Suarez
Gennett
Puig
Realmuto
Winked/Schebler/Kemp
Or just shuffle that up and let it ride. Could be one heck of a lineup.
How they planning on getting JTR and keeping Senzel?
Better question, Why would you give up Senzel to get 2 years of Realmuto? They weren’t willing to part with him to get Kubler, so…
Agreed. Marlins need to trade him. Market will dictate his value. Top 10 prospect in return is doubtful.
1. I’d let Winker play everyday. Schebler and Kemp can fight for scraps
2. Rotation of Gray, Castillo, Wood, Roark, Disco is nothing to sneeze at. Mahle and Reed also there for depth
3. Bullpen is good although I expect some regression from Hughes and Hernandez. Duke fits nicely as the second lefty behind Garrett.
Does anyone know the terms of this deal? I’m assuming one year, but is it a major or a minor league deal?
When asked to comment, Duke stated, “Well, that’s about the size of it, Pilgrim.”.
Now go get Stroman from Blue jays
Nah, don’t want no Duke boys
I’m so impressed with the Reds front office this off season!!! At least they are visibly trying to upgrade all areas of their team this winter. They’re willing to take chances on aging past and current star players to go along with the star players they already have!! Should they be able to obtain catcher Realmuto from Miami, I see that as the final star they really need. Plus, there are still some quality starters available. The Reds front office’s attitude toward a successful 2019 is a breath of fresh air compared to the Cardinals front office and owner’s attitude for 2019. Keep up the good work. The Reds will be interesting to watch!! There fans deserve this!!!!
In addition to my above comment, When Zack Duke came back from injuries for the Cardinals….He was very good.
Wanted the Mets to sign him on a minor league deal.
I’ll never forget Zach Duke’s first appearance when the Mariners acquired him last Summer- no sooner had our play by play introduced him as our new Lefty Specialist who’s been lights out and has yet to give up a HR to a LH hitter in over a year Josh Reddick took him deep and saddled him w the loss. Welcome to Mariner Nation Zach Duke! It was downhill from there