Call to the Pen » Jeff Niemann

Rockies Looking at Adding Niemann

Spencer Hendricks — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 20:29:07 +0000

It’s still speculation at this point, but the Colorado Rockies may be looking to acquire Tampa Bay’s Jeff Niemann in an attempt to bolster an extremely sub-par rotation according to a report from Buster Olney of ESPN.com. Niemann would definitely be a welcome addition to the staff, but he would not arrive without injury concerns — the 6’9″ hurler managed only 38 innings last season after throwing just 135.1 the season before that.

Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The 29-year-old burst onto the scene in 2009 with a very solid rookie campaign that saw him go 13-6 with a 3.94 ERA in the brutal AL East, and although he’s never topped the 2.9 WAR (per FanGraphs) that he posted that season, his peripherals have continued to get better and better all the while.

A season ago, Niemann posted a career high 8.1 K/9 rate and generated a 51.4 percent ground ball rate, both of which may have more to do with a small sample size rather than improved pitching ability. That said, he’s in the prime of his career at age 29, and if fully healthy he has the potential to settle into a solid two or (more likely) three starter, even for a team with a good rotation. For a team like the Rockies, he’d be that much more valuable.

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Jeff Niemann Breaks Leg; Expected to Miss 4-6 Weeks

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:22:17 +0000

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Jeff Niemann was hit in the leg by a comebacker off the bat of Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Adam Lind during last night’s game. Niemann was later diagnosed with a small fracture to his right fibula and the Rays are expecting to be without their starter for four-to-six weeks. (more…)

2012 MLB Season Preview: Tampa Bay Rays

Joe Soriano — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 11:41:32 +0000

2011 Tampa Bay Rays Season Recap

Evan Longoria and Dan Johnson are heroes, the Tampa Bay Rays must thank the Yankees for losing, and the Rays must also thank the Boston Red Sox for helping to complete 50% of the collapse. The other 50% was the rise of the Rays to take the Wild Card spot from the Red Sox and end up in the MLB playoffs. They were bounced out by the Texas Rangers, who would go on to lose in one of the greatest World Series showdowns of all-time, but the final day of the regular season made this another magical season for fans of the Tampa Bay Rays. More magic will be in store in 2012 for the Rays. (more…)

MLB Trade Rumors: Market “Brimming” with Starting Pitchers

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:03:27 +0000

In his Tuesday article, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports indicated that the trade market is “brimming” with starting pitching options. Rosenthal said that teams searching for starting pitching, including the Blue Jays, Royals, Red Sox, Tigers and others, “do not lack for options this spring”. According to Rosenthal, the Phillies, Nationals, White Sox, Rays and Rangers could all potentially have starters in play. (more…)

MLB Trade Rumors: Tigers to Deal for Starting Pitcher by Opening Day

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 14:58:41 +0000

The rumor mill hasn’t stopped churning, and the Detroit Tigers can’t seem to find their way out of it. Earlier this week it was reported that the Tigers could still add a starting pitcher this spring. Yesterday, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com said that he’s spoke to “some baseball people” who are convinced Detroit will “deal for a starting pitcher” by Opening Day. (more…)

MLB Trade Rumors: Rays Still Willing to Trade Starter

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:15:01 +0000

Many young starting pitchers have been traded this offseason. With so many deals taking place, it’s hard to believe that the Tampa Bay Rays haven’t been involved in any involving their stash of starters. Even though the Rays have hung onto their bevy of hurlers through most of the offseason, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times is reporting that they’re still looking at possible deals. Topkin reported yesterday that Tampa is searching for an experienced catcher and starters Jeff Niemann and Wade Davis are rumored to be available. (more…)

2012 MLB Trade Rumors: Rockies Seth Smith Still Drawing Interest

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:13:16 +0000

Earlier this offseason it appeared the Colorado Rockies were on the verge of trading outfielder Seth Smith to the Atlanta Braves. While talks have since cooled between the Rockies and Braves, teams are still expressing interest in Smith. Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports says that the Athletics, Rays, Mariners, Indians, Red Sox and Mets have all been tied to Smith, who Colorado hopes to trade for a starting pitcher or second baseman. (more…)

2012 MLB Trade Rumors: Angels, Rays Match up Well

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:07:01 +0000

In the latest edition of “Let’s Make up a Deal”, John Tomase of the Boston Herald declared a trade could, or at least should, be on the horizon involving the Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Angels. Tomase believes that the Rays and Angels match up well for a deal that would see one of Tampa’s young arms switch coasts in exchange for one of LA’s young first basemen. (more…)

2011 MLB Trade Rumors: Teams Targeting Starting Pitching

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:52:16 +0000

While front-line starters such as C.J. Wilson, Mat Latos, Mark Buehrle and Yu Darvish have all been swiped from the market, there are plenty of arms still available. That’s a good thing for the many teams that are still looking to add another starting pitcher this winter. According to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com, the Nationals, Yankees, Red Sox, Marlins, Blue Jays, Royals, Tigers, Mariners, Orioles and others are hoping to acquire at least one more starter. (more…)

2011 MLB Trade Rumors: Rangers Targeting Starting Pitching

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:11:01 +0000

After the Los Angeles Angels back-to-back big-time moves last week, the baseball community turned its attention to the two-time reigning American League Pennant winners. What would the Texas Rangers do? According to Ken Rosenthol of Fox Sports, those expecting a Rangers counter-punch to the Angels high-profile moves will likely be disappointed. While Rosenthol doesn’t believe the Rangers will get in on the bidding for front-line free agents Prince Fielder and Yu Darvish, he does hear that they are searching the trade market for starting pitching. (more…)