Since we’re left to imagine baseball for the time being, it seems natural to ask for MLBTR reader opinions on what might’ve been. We wouldn’t know much by this point had the season begun as usual, but we’d at least have a look at the health and stuff of the (relatively few) relievers that received big contracts over the offseason.
Let’s run through the $10MM+ bullpen contracts and then get to the question …
Will Smith, LHP: three years, $40MM with Braves — This one cost the Atlanta org draft compensation. And it’s the biggest reliever deal of the winter. But it’s arguably worth it for a guy that turned in a 2.76 ERA with a big 13.2 K/9 in 2019.
Drew Pomeranz, LHP: four years, $34MM with Padres — Everyone’s jaws are still on the floor here, given that Pomeranz nearly washed out with the Giants by the middle of the the ’19 campaign. His second half resurgence as a high-grade reliever was compelling — he not only carried a 1.88 ERA but struck out nearly half the batters he faced — but this was a bold strike for the Friars.
Will Harris, RHP: three years, $24MM with Nationals — He isn’t young and doesn’t have high-octane stuff, but Harris has just plain gotten the job done for quite some time. The veteran spins the ball about as well as anyone and owned a 2.36 ERA in his 297 innings with the Astros.
Chris Martin, RHP: two years, $14MM with Braves — You can save your Coldplay jokes. Martin was absolutely legit in 2019, fanning 65 batters while issuing just a handful of walks and compiling a 3.40 ERA in his 55 2/3 frames.
Daniel Hudson, RHP: two years, $11MM with Nationals — If you focus on the 2.47 ERA he compiled in 73 innings, and add in a glance at his postseason moments, this might look like a complete bargain. But Hudson’s peripherals didn’t support greater earnings than this. It could still be a nice buy if he can keep the momentum going upon his return to D.C.
Dellin Betances, RHP: one year, $10.5MM with Mets — The former star Yankees reliever decided to stay in his native New York on an interesting deal with the cross-town Mets. At his best, he’s a monster that can dominate in multi-inning appearances. But Betances is coming back from some significant injuries and hadn’t regained all his velocity in his brief MLB showing last year.
Blake Treinen, RHP: one year, $10MM with Dodgers — It’s not often a non-tendered player inks for more money than he was projected to earn in arbitration. That it happened here suggests that Treinen — who undeniably possesses thrilling stuff — drew significant interest when he hit the open market.
The question: which of these deals do you think will deliver the most excess value to the team? (Link for app users. Response order randomized.)
I’ve heard Martin’s fastball goes flying at the speed of sound.
I’ll show myself out…
Ha.
Well, nobody said it was easy to face Martin.
I went with betances, but you can’t go wrong with a few others. If he can stay healthy, he’s just flat out filthy.
Agreed. I went with Betances for the same reason plus it’s a one year deal. Hard to know what some of these relievers will be like in 2-3 years.
Betances, Smith, followed by Harris. Treinen doesn’t have as much track record, but if he is healthy and on top of his game, he can put the dodgers over the top. Pomeranz is interesting. High risk high reward.
My man Chris Martin is getting no respect. He is so nasty, and I think he was a great signing by the Braves. Personally I don’t mind the Will Harris deal, I think he will stay good through his contract despite age, but I still think Martin will provide the most value.
Chris Martin is the Whit Merrifield of pitchers. “Old” but golden.
Whit isnt even that old
He’s 31, this yr will be Merrifield’s 4th full season as a pro. If you consider the fact that he will hit FA (as an infielder) at 35yrs old he has a point
will smith all the way
Pomeranz has such a confusing career arc.
Pomeranz is the proverbial little girl with a curl – when he’s good he’s very, very good, and when he’s bad he’s horrid. I thought about comparing him to Rich Hill, but that doesn’t even work. Pom is a human rollercoaster. At any rate I still find it shocking SD gave him 4 years.
Relief pitchers with a history of health issues is maybe the worst place to spend money if you’re a GM.
I couldn’t vote for any of them.
Will Smith was absolutly stolen. as long as he doesnt have another major in-season surgery again he’ll easily out-play his contract.
Betances, Smith, followed by Harris. Treinen doesn’t have as much track record, but if he is healthy and on top of his game, he can put the dodgers over the top. Pomeranz is interesting. High risk high reward.
Hudson cost the least and has about as much upside as anyone else