The Reds have signed left-handed reliever Jesse Biddle to a minor league contract, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports. The deal includes an invitation to major league spring training.
Biddle’s the second veteran reliever the Reds have added on a minors pact this week. They previously picked up former White Sox standout Nate Jones on a low-risk accord.
As recently as 2018, Biddle was a standout in his own right. The former first-round pick (2010, Phillies) fired 63 2/3 innings of 3.11 ERA/3.88 FIP ball with 9.47 K/9, 4.38 BB/9 and a sterling 55.6 percent groundball rate as a member of the Braves. But things went south in a hurry for the 28-year-old, who divided his 2019 among the Braves, Mariners and Rangers. Biddle dealt with shoulder troubles and stumbled to an 8.38 ERA/6.46 FIP across 28 frames, and the rest of his numbers also took a turn for the worse. He struck out 8.36 hitters per nine, posted a whopping 7.07 BB/9 and saw his grounder percentage plummet to 45.8. His average fastball velocity also tumbled a bit, going from 94.5 mph the prior season to 93.9.
Despite the difficulties Biddle endured last season, there’s no real harm in taking a flier on him from the Reds’ standpoint. He’ll compete for a spot in a bullpen that has one lefty lock, Amir Garrett, and could also feature Cody Reed.
Idk why but he reminds me of Skaggs anyone else or just me? (Might’ve been random)
in what way?
Not sure tbh. Both left handlers drafted in the first round? Similar career ERA’s ig.
I still believe the Reds will win the NL Central this year. Sometimes it’s those under the radar moves that pay dividends. Signing Biddle is such a move. Ya never know. Some night this summer, with the Reds leading the Brewers and the Brewers threatening to take the lead, Bell is gonna call on Biddle to strike out Yelich.
Any lame dumpster divin comments?
no. apparently only Theo makes waiver claims and minor league signings.
The Reds free agent bullpen shopping is the equivalent of trying to get rich by buying scratch offs
Not the same at all. The Reds have an ace in the hole with their loaded coaching staff of known pitching wizards. It’s not unreasonable to expect one or two of these guys to outperform expectation.
Really? I hope this is sarcasm. Loaded staff of pitching wizards? Why even sign FA then? They should be able to some bibbidi-Bobbi did-boo and Shazam you got different pitchers
The bullpen was awful last year under those same wizards. Hughes Hernandez and Peralta fell apart. Though I won’t blame them for Raisel, because that was Bell’s fault for coming in and picking a fight with Iggy. with his closer-by-committee b***s***
Thankfully, we don’t need a lot in the ‘pen but we’ll find out if their expertise only lies in starters and not relievers.
Pen was solid last year. Finished in top 1/2 w the lame ducks u mentioned and a few more. Everybody who’s staying on staff improved except Iglesias and I agree w u- he had a bad mental year and should bounce back fine. Mahle should start in pen too. he and jones could give reds a ton of late inning quality options.
Talking about their coaching staff. Johnson is as good as it gets among pitching coaches.
The bullpen was up and down (Iggy was the main problem), but only Hernandez really fell apart. Hughes wasn’t great – certainly nowhere near what he was in 18 — but he wasn’t that bad (4 ERA or thereabouts). Peralta never was any good. He had a good first half in 17, and other than that, he’s been dreadful his whole major league career. His 19 was about the same as his 18 — bad.
Dumpster divin’ Theo – you snooze; you lose.
Must be too busy at Cubsfest.
Trying to sell tickets to fill the hotel event.
It’s Biddle and Jones, like Kibbles and Bits, only different. – Axel Foley.
Nelson Cruz cameo!
Reds giving Kyle Boddy some interesting bounce-back candidates to work his Driveline magic with.
I just wish his star pupil, Bauer, wasn’t so inconsistent.
His biggest issue has been control. As a former Phillies prospect. I wish him the best
All Hail this signing
So the Reds are just taking the rangers useless relievers… huh
Pretty much
Baby Ace
Bring em in and let’s have a look…
Exactly. I can dig it
I would not call going from 94.5 mph to 93.9 mph a “tumble“
drama much?
Yea, I associate “tumble” with “took a bit of a tumble of the cliff”. Hard to call .6 off a cliff.
Always hoped he would do well, even if not with the phillies.
Do you guys not understand what a “low risk” contract is? They give him a shot, if he doesn’t have it, they let him go. I like that my team does that. It’s an all upside move. Bravo, Reds!
Never put it together with the Phillies. If Biddle is healthy, he can be a serviceable LOOGY to back up Garrett in the Reds bullpen.
With the added 26th roster spot in 2020, I believe most teams will use that extra spot to create depth in areas of need. For the Reds, another lefty in the bullpen makes sense.
BTW, don’t understand Reds fans lamenting the team not making a catching upgrade. Fact is, IMHO, Tucker Barnhardt could start for half the MLB teams. His defense is off-the-charts great, and he’s not exavtly a wet noodle with the bat.
There aren’t any more LOOGYs now with the new rules.
Biddle was outstanding with the Braves in 2018. He can pitch one inning or he can pitch 6 if need be. If he can get back to that form this would be an absolute steal for the reds.
Hope he makes a comeback. Pulling for this guy.