The Nationals have reached an agreement with right-hander Jeremy Jeffress on a minor league deal, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reports (Twitter links). Jeffress will earn $1.25MM if he reaches the Nats’ big league roster, plus he can earn up to $1.25MM more in bonuses.
Jeffress has been an effective reliever for most of his 11 seasons in the majors, and was an All-Star as recently as the 2018 season when pitching for the Brewers. He struggled in 2019, however, posting a 5.02 ERA with a 48.4% grounder rate that marked the only time the groundball specialist had fallen under the 50% threshold over a full season.
Jeffress had a rebound with the Cubs last season, delivering a 1.54 ERA and 54.4% grounder rate over 23 1/3 innings and allowing only a single home run. However, Jeffress benefited from a tiny .161 BABIP against some otherwise unimpressive Statcast numbers, and his .496 SIERA painted a much uglier picture of Jeffress’ performance. His 19.3K% and 13.6BB% were also well below average.
At the cost of just a Spring Training invitation, there isn’t any risk to the Nationals in taking a look to see if Jeffress can still contribute as he enters his age-33 season. Jeffress joins Luis Avilan, Javy Guerra, Aaron Barrett, and T.J. McFarland as veteran relievers on minor league deals in Washington’s camp.
I know his underlying numbers weren’t great but I’m still shocked he had to sign a minor league deal.
Steal.
Wow, great job by the Nats.
I was wondering when he was going to turn up somewhere. Could be a sneaky good move.
Nice…..But he’s on track for bad year but who cares its a minor deal
This seems like a deal where he won’t make the Opening Day roster, opt out of his contract, then sign with another team and be really good there.
good get
Why couldn’t we DO THAT?
This is so stupid… Jeremy was one of our best guys in the pen last year low sample size or not we should’ve signed him to a minor-league deal!!!
Jeremy Jeffress 1.2 WAR
Trevor Rosenthal 1.2
Trevor got 11 Million over a few years
Jeremy got a minor league deal.
Shows you that WAR is very overrated for one, and that teams think that Rosenthal still has closer stuff, while jeffress not so much.
to be fair when healthy Rosenthal is well more consistent.
WAR is a good benchmark, but just like surface numbers you should look way past it as well. Look at Rosenthal’s FIP, xFIP, SIERA, xERA, xwOBA, K% and BB% compared to Jeffress. There’s a very, very big difference between the two.
However, I do agree that if all it took was a minor league deal, the Cubs should have looked more into it. Might not be worth Rosenthal money, but still.
The Nats be fillin their roster with former Cubs 🙁 They should have brought back Jeffress, especially if they only had to give him a minor league contract. Tbh, I’m fine moving on from Schwarbs. I think that Joc’s an upgrade. Never forget that 2016 magic tho. Lester was ready to move on, and I think the Cubs have an interesting rotation this year (Hendricks, Davies, Arrieta, Mills, Williams/Alzolay).
I didn’t remember much about him except his name. I quick glance shows that he has had a respectable career and a good 2020. I hope he makes the squad and makes the All-Star Team again. The Nats’ bullpen is looking pretty solid on paper. I pray it translates that way on the field.
perry minasian may not be dumb but he hasn’t proved he is not.
Yep. Guys signing minor league deals are generally looking for the highest likelihood of making it to the bigs followed by how much they can make when they get there.
We have a couple of spots open yet aren’t attracting the minor league deals crowd. There’s something wrong there.
Perry started out pretty promisingly, but ever since his first few weeks I have not been impressed. I liked the first couple of moves he made and was hoping they were a precursor to bigger, more important moves to come (getting an ace, adding 2-3 more good bullpen arms, maybe adding another outfielder not named Dexter Fowler)… The Angels should have gone all-in this season in my opinion, but instead it’s just more of the same. Alex Cobb? Okay then…
Exactly.
Led the league in blown saves last year? Boom, Raisel Iglesias.
Need a shortstop replacement who doesn’t break the bank? Iglesias #2.
I was even happy with Quintana thinking he was the back of the rotation piece added.
But, as you said, the upside move never happened. The rest of the division pulled back and the Angels didn’t take advantage. I still think we’re third place.
The A’s did not pull back lol. They have Chapman coming back and got good relievers. Also the Stros have lots of potential. Finally the Mariners will be good in a few years
It’s taken 2+ months, but Angel fans are beginning to see it.
I was happy with both the Iglesias pickups, but then it went south awfully quick.
The A’s haven’t exactly taken a step forward either.
the only thing to force arte to change is to voicott angels games. that will certainly hut us but will hurt him more.
He was more lucky than good last year. Velocity has been going down. With that said, he could definitely help a bullpen. Just don’t expect him to be a lock down closer.
True, but the Nats got him to be a middle innings pitcher and none the less depth
Was hoping the cubs would’ve resigned him. That’s 3 cubs players going to DC. 5 of their free agents went east.
If TJ McFarland is still able to hold down a spot he should have no issues sticking. Lol
Brewer fan. JJ is a good guy and a competitor. His fastball is down but his off-speed pitches are where he makes his money. Hoping for success for him.
Absolutely great guy plus he might even bring his two beautiful dogs along with a great tasting food truck. wish nothing but the best for him.
This is why you don’t sign fringe RPs in December. In February you can get a better pitcher….. for less.
This is why Minasian is waiting for bottom of barrel.Halos need at least 2 bullpen arms. Clippard and Alvarez now.
Look at the mlb projected rosters. With Barria and Rivera locking up spots, the addition of Claudio killed the Angels ability to add bullpen arms. The Angels should have waited, and then gone for it. But they didn’t, and now they are stuck.
Steal
How is a guy who posted a 1.54 ERA in 22 IP last season unable to find a ML contract!?! I understand the whole deal with his peripherals indicated this or advanced metrics say that… but at the end of the day… this guy got the job done last year… and at a VERY impressive rate. Just seems like he should’ve been able to find a guaranteed contract… he’s also not really just a nobody either… sure he’s had ups and downs over the past few seasons… but he’s been a sturdy reliever for much of his career. Wish him the best and hope be makes the club out of camp and guarantees himself that ML deal by winning a spot in the pen from the getgo!
And 3 years ago he was even better than that… posting a 1.29 ERA! Sure he had a rough 2019 in between but other than that he’s been quite solid for the past 7/8 years. Seems like this could wind up being a very good signing for the team even if he just pitches to his career averages of around a 3.00 ERA he’d be a very solid pickup for the price.
He was pretending to be Jon Lester last year and it worked quite well. Throwing 89- 91 bottom of the zone.
Definitely not blowing anyone away but was crafty enough to be the best reliever for the Cubs last year. Kind of like Lester Jeremy was running on fumes last season. Will be interesting to see if he or Jon have anything left. I’d bet on Jeffers and believe Lester doesn’t make the year in DC.