The Mariners have released left-hander Jon Niese and righty Tyler Cloyd, Triple-A Tacoma broadcaster Mike Curto reports. Both pitchers had been on the Rainiers’ roster.
Niese’s release is the latest unwelcome development in what has largely been a solid professional career. The 32-year-old lasted just under three months with the Mariners, who inked him to a minor league contract April 25, and threw 70 1/3 innings of 5.76 ERA ball with a microscopic strikeout rate (4.9 K/9, against 3.1 BB/9) as a member of Tacoma’s roster. It was the first true game action since 2016 for Niese, who – despite spending time with the Yankees in 2017 and the Rangers in ’18 – battled injuries that prevented him from pitching over the previous two seasons.
Niese struggled mightily in his most recent major league season, which he divided between the Pirates and Mets, but otherwise has enjoyed a better MLB career than most pitchers. He posted a 4.07 ERA/4.02 FIP with 6.92 K/9, 2.78 BB/9 and a 50.1 percent groundball rate in 1,189 1/3 innings – almost entirely with the Mets – from 2008-16.
Cloyd’s also 32, though his big league track record is nowhere near as long as Niese’s. In parts of four seasons with the Phillies, Mariners and Marlins from 2012-18, Cloyd totaled just 112 frames and recorded a 6.35 ERA/4.88 FIP with 6.83 K/9, 3.38 BB/9 and a 35.7 percent grounder rate. Cloyd reunited with the Mariners in late April, the same day Niese signed, and proceeded to put up an ugly 7.43 ERA/5.94 FIP in 66 2/3 innings in the difficult Pacific Coast League environment. Cloyd has typically performed far better at the minors’ top level, evidenced by his 4.31 ERA with 7.0 K/9 against 2.3 BB/9 in 653 1/3 Triple-A innings.
Thought Niese retired. What’s Dillon Gee up to?
Gee retired earlier in the offseason
He retired earlier in the offseason.
Does ANYONE really care about these two has been’s/never we’re’s? Niese had maybe 1 decent season with the NY Mess (nah, I spelled it right! lol) many years ago, he’s washed and a bum!
Cloyd’s a no-talent clown who ain’t even worth discussing!
I just don’t understand baseball anymore, these stupid money wasting teams waste time and yes, money on has been, bums and confirmed LOSERS and we the fans pay for it by way of ridiculously high ticket, concession stand and merchandise prices, just to watch BUMS LOSE!
There ARE much younger and far better options out there!
I’d rather see a team give some kid a chance, rather than watch some old washed bum blow a game!
Hell! I haven’t pitched since 1993, give ME $21 million to suck-azz and have a 6.31 ERA like these bums, I could really use the $ right now!
They’re more worth discussing than an internet troll like you. They’ve made it farther in their life than you can dream of.
Well he threw his last pitch in 1993, so maybe it’s Nolan Ryan.
You could never pitch to a 6.31 ERA in the bigs. You sound like a washed up pitcher who never made it. Ironic isn’t it?
Also, what does this have to do with money and ticket prices? They’re both minor league pitchers at this stage, which you’d know if you… I don’t know… read the article.
Yes, those high money minor league deals are killing the game! Are you delusional or what?
Jon Niese was a fairly good pitcher for the Mets for eight years.
The trade for Neil Walker was actually a good one based on his past record at the time.
I think that even Expitcher22 would be happy with that career.
I wish Niese luck going forward.
Niese had the great fortune to pitch for a decent team with good defense and good catchers most of his career which greatly helped his numbers and confidence. Some other equally talented guys did not have that good luck and got stuck with pitching for terrible teams.
My point was that he was a fairly good pitcher who does not deserve the invective put on him previously in these comments.
He was remarkably consistent through his years with the Mets.Not quite like Kris Davis and his .247 batting average,but very consistent nonetheless.
Your last philosophical statement is true,and can work the other way on being on a very good team but being only a decent pitcher who puts up good numbers.Such are the chances in life.
Yes it does work the other way. Porcello is a good example of this with his 4.32 career ERA. He has received incredible run support and good defensive support.
I actually was thinking of him vs DeGrom when they won CY’s.
Porcello did have a particularly good year for him though that year.
Some of it is luck too with CY’s.
Steve Blass had a great year the year after the Pirates won the WS in 1971,bu he ran up against Steve Carlton who won 27 games with the Phillies.They only won I think a total of 59 games that particular year.