Righty Will Harris has drawn somewhat less pressing interest than might have been supposed entering the offseason. But the veteran is mulling offers from multiple teams and could soon sign, per MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand (via Twitter).
Harris is said to have drawn “multi-year offers worth $6-7M annually,” so he’s obviously in demand from organizations interested in quality veteran relief work. But unless one of those offers extends to the three-year range — unlikely since Harris is already 35 years of age — then the numbers being discussed are actually a bit south of what MLBTR anticipated entering the winter.
MLBTR’s Connor Byrne recently examined Harris’s situation in detail, classing Harris as the top available reliever. As he explained, the quiet right-hander has long delivered reliably excellent innings. That was the case again in 2019, as he turned in sixty innings of 1.50 ERA ball. The peripherals didn’t quite support that level of productivity, but did make clear that Harris remains quite effective with a high-spin-rate pitch mix.
It seems there’s some momentum now towards a deal, though it’s still anyone’s guess where Harris will land. The Twins have been connected as a suitor for Harris and other veteran relievers, but his market is otherwise unclear. Quite a few clear-cut and aspirational contenders could obviously benefit from his services, so it’s tough to rule out many landing spots given what has been reported to this point.
I know the Mets had been mentioned as a possible location for him before they signed Betances, but I don’t see any room for him unless someone else on the staff (i.e., Matz or Gsellman) is traded away. I’m still not keen on dealing for Starling Marte as I think a platoon of Nimmo and Marisnick can give you about as good value for a lot less. If BVW does follow through on a deal for him, it’s possible one of the pitchers would go in that deal, but I still don’t see them signing Harris.
That’s some crazy homerism there don’t ya think?
A guy can dream eh?
Imagine thinking your team is so stacked that you don’t have room for Will Harris or are just as good without Starling Marte
Nimmo and Marisnik platooning in CF will provide more value than Marte for the 2020 season. In 2018 Nimmo had 4+ war. Marte and Nimmo aren’t too far apart defensively at this point in their careers. Nimmo is entering his prime. Marte is exiting his.
Imagine knowing the roster well enough that we know we already have a few corner outfielders that can pretend to play center. This poster is absolutely correct.
It’s being realistic. BVW signed guaranteed contracts for all the other members of the pitching staff, so excepting a trade or DFA/release, they have 13 spots taken. They’re not selling low on Diáz. Trading Familia would require eating most of his contract and attaching a desirable player or prospect. I don’t see it happening.
If the Mets are going to make another relief upgrade it would come via trade. The suggestion I saw on risingapple.com was Lowrie and Gsellman to the A’s for Soria. I think cash would go in the A’s direction as well.
“but I don’t see any room for him unless someone else on the staff (i.e., Matz or Gsellman) is traded away”
I’m a huge Mets fan, but there’s like 5 guys you could toss before even considering trading Matz or Gsellman. Even still, I would trade Gsellman for a bag of peanuts in order to make room for Harris in a heartbeat. Gsellman is not good, Harris has been excellent for several seasons and would be a huge upgrade.
Which 5? The projected 13- man staff right now is:
Starters: deGrom, Thor, Stroman, Matz, Porcello;
Relievers: Wacha, Brach, Gsellman, Wilson, Familia, Betances, Lugo, and Díaz.
I was referring more to the 40 man roster. But I would much rather have Harris than Wacha, Brach, Gsellman, Familia, or even Wilson (I realize Wilson’s overall numbers were good last year, but he also had a 1.333 WHIP and a FIP near 4; I’d give Harris the edge).
There’s four plus Gsellman. If you could get Harris, you make it work. I would personally get rid of Gsellman, though, and wouldn’t give it much thought.
YANKEES!
Dodgers need bullpen. Yankees are fine.
I’d far rather have Josh Hader, to be honest.
I didn’t know that was a question. Hader will take way more to get though. A huge offer and he will cost more financially over the next 2-3 seasons
Hey, good call. Join the club with literally everyone else.
why not the Reds? teams can never have too many quality relievers
RIP DON LARSEN
Braves come out of nowhere and sign another RP. Lol
For real though… any team will be happy to have this guy
Yes but for three years?
Relievers are so volatile
and he’s relatively old…..
the jump in production at 34 is at least encouraging on that front, even if it doesnt exactly prove anything.
Phillies should be looking hard at him.
id hope so, but all the haters will come out of the woodwork again if he underperforms. sick of hearing how Klentak signs “old” relievers. no one hits free agency at a “young” age, and even less in the relief realm.
Good points here. I was a fan of a lot of the reliever signings last year. They just didn’t pan out, mostly because of injury. I hope it doesn’t make Klentak gun shy. The bullpen still needs some help.
John Middleton said “No more relievers.”
“Yes, Mr. Middleton.” – Matt Klentak
I’d love to be a fly on the wall at the Girardi residence. Must be a heck of a trauma as it sets in that he’s no longer managing the Yankees and oh what a difference!
Wow FCA, you really have it in for Middleton? What’s the obsession all about? I’m here every day taking in the articles and perusing the comments….Lately a lot of negativity, but you poke Phillies fans and Middleton every chance you get. Hope you’re ok….
You are correct; Girardi has got to be upset by the lack of progress on “rebuild”. Baseball industry sees the stall
going on. It is painful to watch. Front office has proven to be less than astute in evaluating talent. They scored on Harper and J.T. but they are molasses in reacting to obvious issues that pan out over the course of a season. It all points to no money or very poor judgment. Middleton’s popularity in Philly had been through the roof and now is at a lower rung. His credibility is less than stellar. Is it stubbornness, bad advice or heaven forbid, no fuel left in the tank? The latter wouldn’t surprise.
It’s only a two and one half hour ride down the Turnpike but it’s a looooonnng way from the Yankees.
2 years at 6-7 million a year seems like a good bargain. Most teams should be in for that price.
BOSox. He will then lead AL in Saves before the Allstar break. you heard it here first!!
Haven’t you heard, Boston is broke.
Brewers perfect fit Harris, hader knebel lights out from 7th on
Dodgers should be in on him.
Cubs need him. Do something Cubs, please.
Cubs won’t offer anyone more than a minors invite at this point. Best chance CHC has to shake up roster is to make trades.
Go get him Blue Jays. This is the type of free agent they initially talked about targeting: a guy who’s price has seemingly come down as the offseason has gone on. And, they need his arm in the pen. No point in stopping adding now…
angels need him the most to shorten the game. the team has very good but unknown late inning relief pitchers but he’d be a perfect vet to lead the squad.
Yankees, Blue Jays, White Sox, Indians, Twins, Astros, Angels, A’s, Rangers in the American League
Braves, Mets, Phillies, Nationals, Cubs, Reds, Brewers, Cardinals, D-Backs, Dodgers, Padres in the National League
Mets don’t need another righty we need another lefty Magee /Watson type
Mets need quality arms period. The bullpen was a disaster last year and is the reason they didn’t make the playoffs. If they could get Harris for 2/$14 million, they should.
If you are talking two years at 14 million, or three years at 18 million, how are teams that need BP help not in on that?
This was my only FA pick for the Cubs since they lost Cishek, Kintzler, and Strop. Offer him 2 years 15M. A trade of Bryant or Quintana covers that easily to keep them under the tax. This is one of the few moves I felt they had to make in the pen. If Harris pitches close to his career numbers to go along with Wieck, Wick, Ryan, and Kimbrel that is an excellent late inning bullpen. Theo, this one is a must, time to wake up
Finish your offseason with him, White Sox.
If the Phillies can get some of their relievers healthy, this would be a nice fit.
I’d love it if he signs with the Dodgers
This is the next to last Philly play. They have been absolutely scorched in free agent relief acquisitions over the past 4 years. Mostly the result of poor due diligence. They need to use different team of Dr consultants. Maybe this has been accomplished. Harris would seem to be the one they go “all in” for. The real need (which everyone knows) is a frontline starter. Trade is the only way this can occur and hopefully this is being worked on as I write. Klentak can kiss his job bye bye if he fails on ..and he knows it! Any idiot can call Arizona, Detroit or Miami and score a decent pitcher while giving up three players that Phillies need to unload anyway. Throw in an A or AA prospect not on anyone’s radar. But get this done already!
See, all you needed to do was write an article to drum up some interest. You should get a cut ha ha.
Seriously, he’s be a great addition here. Ground balls to Rendon, Simba, and Fletcher. Combined with Robles, Buttrey, and a healthy Middleton we should have a plus bullpen.
Meh rotation, good offense, good bullpen. It’s worked before.
You are correct; Girardi has got to be upset by the lack of progress on “rebuild”. Baseball industry sees the stall
going on. It is painful to watch. Front office has proven to be less than astute in evaluating talent. They scored on Harper and J.T. but they are molasses in reacting to obvious issues that pan out over the course of a season. It all points to no money or very poor judgment. Middleton’s popularity in Philly had been through the roof and now is at a lower rung. His credibility is less than stellar. Is it stubbornness, bad advice or heaven forbid, no fuel left in the tank? The latter wouldn’t surprise.
This is the next to last Philly play. They have been absolutely scorched in free agent relief acquisitions over the past 4 years. Mostly the result of poor due diligence. They need to use different team of Dr consultants. Maybe this has been accomplished. Harris would seem to be the one they go all in for. The real need (which everyone knows) is a frontline starter. Trade is the only way this can occur and hopefully this is being worked as I write. Klentak can kiss his job bye bye if he fails on this..and he knows it! Any idiot can call Arizona, Detroit or Miami and score a decent pitcher and give three players away that Phillies need to unload anyway.
Harris would be a welcome addition to pretty much any pen. I’m guessing he’s looking for 2 years & his age is scaring off potential suitors.
I didn’t realize how good he’s been for so long. Great four year run in Houston
White Sox please!!