The Cubs are in agreement with reliever Matt Dermody on a minor league contract, reports MLBTR’s Steve Adams (on Twitter). The southpaw made one big league appearance with the Cubs in 2020, his most recent MLB action to date.
Dermody spent last season in Japan, suiting up with the Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball. The Iowa native split the season between the Lions and their minor league affiliate, posting a 5.13 ERA across 33 1/3 innings during his time at Japan’s top level. He only punched out 14.6% of batters faced, somewhat negating a decent 8.6% walk rate.
During his time in affiliated ball, Dermody has fared a bit better at missing bats. He owns a 19.1% strikeout percentage over parts of four Triple-A seasons en route to a 4.12 ERA at the level. Dermody has appeared in parts of three big league campaigns with the Blue Jays and Cubs, working to a 5.13 ERA with an 18.4% strikeout rate but a very stingy 4.4% walk percentage across 26 1/3 career innings.
The 31-year-old has been leveraged situationally over his MLB career, facing nearly as many left-handed batters (52) as right-handers (62). Dermody has held opposing southpaws to a .250/.288/.375 line in that fairly brief action, but he has coughed up a .298/.355/.632 mark against righty swingers. Presumably, he’ll hope to land a similar situational role on a Cubs team that has Brad Wieck, Justin Steele and prospect Brailyn Márquez as lefty relief options on the 40-man roster.
Blue Jays Legend
Gotta laugh when baseball reference lists the player as already played his last game! SMH…..if you’re not able to stay at the major league professional level in Japan how can the team expect him to contribute in the majors here? Must be lacking minor league depth.
Teams take fliers like this all the time. Some work out, most don’t, but zero risk involved.
And he’s a lefty. They get more chances.
Good grab. Big lefty. Nice sign.
You have to wonder how lucrative and long lasting a career being a LOOGy is.
Dumpster divin’ !!
How’s that Kimbrel trade working out for you guys?
Better than ur trade for Quintana!!!
Ha!
I hope the Bears new GM works out as well as Sox’s Hahn.
What a fleecing of the Cubs in that Q trade!! Just like the Garland trade!
I watch a lot of Cubs games, and remember nearly every player, but I have no memory of this guy at all
one inning in one game in 2020, three batters up and down. easy to miss.
This guy would make it if he was allowed to face 1 batter. They need to bring back the 1 batter rule and Randy Choate this guy in the bigs.
If the owners use replacement players my money is on the Cubs!