Brad Brach exercised his $2.075MM player option to remain with the New York Mets, per Tim Healey of Newsday (via Twitter). That’s slightly more than had been previously reported, as Brach’s option had been listed as worth $1.25MM. He signed back with the Mets as a free agent this past December. He is represented by Brian Charles of Big League Management Company, LLC.
The 6’6″ sinkerballer experienced a discouraging drop in velocity in 2020. After averaging 94.1 mph on his four-seamer in 2019, his fastball clocked in at just 90.3 mph this year. Having previously been heavily reliant on his heater, throwing it roughly half the time, he threw it just 17.1% of the time in 2020. By usage, the four-seamer fell to fourth in his arsenal behind a cutter, change-up, and sinker. He made 14 appearances for the Mets in 2020, struggling to the tune of a 5.84 ERA/6.69 FIP across 12 1/3 innings with unfortunately matching 10.2 K/9 and 10.2 BB/9.
He had been a stabilizing presence for the Mets in 2019 after being signed off the scrap heap in August. The Cubs released him after a tough first half, but he rebounded with a 3.68 ERA/2.67 FIP in 14 2/3 innings across 16 appearances for the Mets. The right-handed reliever will again look to rebound in his age-35 season, which will be his 11th season as a big-leaguer. Overall, Brach has made 496 appearances out of the bullpen for the Padres, Orioles, Braves, Cubs, and Mets with a 3.39 ERA/3.76 FIP.
LolBrodie. Brach picked up his option that nobody understands why Brodie gave him.
Brodie will at least go down as a slightly better GM than Dave Stewart!
I’m pretty sure the Mets don’t want him, so I guess he has the Mets stuck between a Brach and a hard place.
If you’re a dad 10/10 dad joke… if you’re not 0/10 lol
For $2M it’s not bad to keep him on as a veteran BP option. It’s also not a large sum that’s unmovable if they want to trade him.
He has a 5.84 ERA. That sucks so 2 million is too much and no one is trading for this stiff.
Makes more sense to keep him and see if he can rebound. If not, DFA.
he didn’t suck, he was one of their best relievers last yr. I’m just not sure what happened at the end of the yr. 3apperances 2 w/ 3walks no inn. and replacement gave up all 3runs the other w/ .1inn 1k 2walks.
MPH may be over rated for a sinker ball pitcher, no? I remember pitchers talking about feeling “too strong” when well rested and losing the sink.