Free-agent reliever Blake Parker is signing a non-guaranteed deal with the Indians, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports. Parker could earn around $2.5MM if he hits the incentives on the contract.
Based on the production the 35-year-old right-hander has put up throughout his career, he seems like a solid bet to earn a season-opening spot in Cleveland’s bullpen. Dating back to his 2012 debut, Parker has pitched for six major league teams (Cubs, Yankees, Mariners, Angels, Twins and Phillies), with which he has combined for a 3.52 ERA/3.25 SIERA across 301 2/3 innings. While Parker doesn’t throw especially hard – his fastball has typically clocked in around 92 mph – he has managed above-average strikeout and walk percentages of 27.7 and 7.9, respectively.
Parker only threw 16 innings with the Phillies last year, but he made them count, as he registered an impressive 2.81 ERA/3.39 SIERA. He did issue an alarming amount of walks (13.0 percent), but Parker somewhat offset his control issues with a lofty strikeout percentage (36.2).
sneaky good pickup
You ever not on trade rumors?
i have notifications on…
As Yoda said, you can never avoid facing the Dark Side.
If Yoda said that, shouldn’t it read more like:
“Avoid facing the dark side, you cannot.” =)
Meh signing
I only read BLAKE and thought Swihart was getting another shot.
I like Parker a lot. Good signing.
Still waiting on a lefty…but nice pickup in the meantime.
Man, the bullpen market seems to be never ending this year. Parker’s another pretty good reliever.
I really didn’t know if all the infielders & relief pitchers would be able to find spots. A lot of teams have been willing to make upgrades though.
We’ve had deals of some type pretty much every day this off-season. & it’s closing with a flurry.
Yankees signed Wilson for double the amount. I guess being a lefty has an advantage
How much did Wilson sign for? Are you saying he got $5 mil AAV?
I haven’t seen any numbers, @mlbnyyfan.
Also, I think the Parker contract might be another decent reference point for D-Rob.
Im pretty sure official numbers for Wilson’s new contract hasn’t come out yet. Any numbers are probably predictions.
This is kind of baffling to me as an Indians fan. For righties, they for sure have Karinchak, Clase, and Wittgren as reliable options. They’re also likely going to have a surplus of starters and they could stand to move a few to the bullpen – Plutko, McKenzie, and Quantrill all ended last year in bullpen roles. So out of 7 NRI signings this year, 4 are right handed relievers.
Their lefty relief options are a guy who has pitched 2/3 of an inning (Kyle Nelson) and two starters who might have to convert (Logan Allen and Sam Hentges). They also have Anthony Gose, converted OF who can’t throw strikes. They haven’t signed any lefty relievers.
I read somewhere Wilson got 4.5
I found “could be up to 4”.
That eats up a lot of the room we had “left”. I loathe this accounting stuff. Anyway, as close as I can figure that leaves us with a payroll ~ $207 MM.
Going to be tough to squeeze D-Rob in yet. I’d just like to see a little more reinforcement to middle relief.
Great to see you on here Col_chestbridge…
It seemed there were “line changes” in the outfield last season.. Perhaps we are going to watch/have “line changes” in the bullpen during 2021…
@Col_ –
There are still some pretty good LH relievers left on the board. Tony Watson, TJ McFarland, your own Oliver Perez, & Pedro Alvarez.
Still time to get one.
I doubt highly D Rob coming back and if he does they may not have room for Adam Warren to make final roster and that would be disappointing.
Yeah, man.
Going to be really tight. He’s probably going to get somewhere around 2-2.5 mil in AAV + incentives. There’s room. But just barely.
As for Warren, let’s see what he has left before we pencil him in for anything. He’s certainly been good for us in the past. But it’s been a few seasons now. Plus he’s coming off TJS.
I’m going to continue hoping for D-Rob. He’d be a nice way to cap off the winter.
Col_chestbridge – The Indians like to pick up relievers they think they can rehabilitate and they don’t discriminate between righties and lefties when they do it. I’m assuming “non-guaranteed” means it is a minor league deal. They could move Parker to Columbus or even Akron to work out whatever kinks he’s developed…or, who knows…..maybe he makes the team.
I’m betting (I hope) there is still a lefty signing upcoming.
The Indians like to pick up relievers they think they can rehabilitate and they don’t discriminate between righties and lefties when they do it. I’m assuming “non-guaranteed” means it is a minor league deal. They could move Parker to Columbus or even Akron to work out whatever kinks he’s developed…or, who knows…..maybe he makes the team.
I’m betting (I hope) there is still a lefty signing upcoming.
I can’t believe Parker is 35 already!!! Clearly a late bloomer and this year’s version of Oliver Perez who I’ll definitely miss seeing coming out of the Tribe pen.
I was all, like, when was this guy a Mariner?, so I look it up: One (1) game! 1 measly inning!