The Cincinnati Reds have added a solid piece to their bullpen, inking Jared Hughes to a two year deal with a team option for 2020.
The Cincinnati Reds bullpen was a disaster in 2017. Despite a strong showing from closer Raisel Iglesias, the Reds relief crew posted a 4.65 ERA and a 1.40 WHiP. They ranked 27th in baseball in bullpen ERA, and 24th in WHiP. Only the Mets were worse in both categories amongst National League teams, showing how bad things were in Cincinnati once the starters left the game.
Although the Reds are not expected to contend in 2018, they have taken steps towards fixing the bullpen. On Tuesday, the Reds inked Jared Hughes to a two year contract worth $4.5 Million. The deal includes a team option for 2020 worth $3 Million as well.
After spending his first six seasons with the Pirates, Hughes moved over to the Brewers in 2017. He pitched well, posting a 3.02 ERA and a 1.223 WHiP in his 59.2 innings, striking out 48 batters and issuing 24 walks. During his time in the majors, Hughes has posted a 2.85 ERA and a 1.271 WHiP, strong numbers for a seventh or eighth inning arm.
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Hughes may even be the perfect pitcher for the launching pad known as Great American Ball Park. He has been an extreme ground ball pitcher, with 1.65 grounders for every ball hit in the air. Those ground ball tendencies have also helped Hughes keep the ball in the park, as only 7.0% of ball in play against him have left the yard during his career.
In adding Hughes to the bullpen mix, the Reds have put together the beginnings of a solid relief crew. In addition to Iglesias, both Michael Lorenzen and Wandy Peralta give the Reds a solid foursome to close out games. Lorenzen took a step back in 2017; however, the Reds are counting on a bounceback performance in the coming season.
Jared Hughes may not be the most exciting player that the Cincinnati Reds could have signed. Nonetheless, he is a solid addition to the Reds bullpen.