MLB Hot Stove: Most intriguing non-tendered players
Bullpen pitchers don’t have much room for error. With only an inning or two, or even just a batter, they need to get into the game and do their jobs.
A handful of bullpen pitchers top the intriguing list. All of these pitchers had struggles in 2018, but that doesn’t mean they will continue those struggles in 2019. Each one has strengths that could improve a bullpen in need of arms. The best part for teams in need of arms is that they are cheap at $2 million or less.
Lefty setup guy
Luis Avilan was non-tendered by the Phillies but started the 2018 season with the White Sox. He’s a lefty pitcher who has a career ERA of 3.09 in seven years and 308.2 innings. His biggest struggle in 2018 was keeping batters from reaching base as his 1.368 WHIP showed.
Over the past few seasons, his K/9 has actually increased, which is always a good thing. But, he does need to work on limiting his BB/9 and with the right pitching coach, that can happen. He’s got a fastball in the low 90s, but he only throws it a third of the time. But, he uses it to set up his changeup, which is the pitch he throws the most.
He’s a low-cost option for any team that needs a lefty in the pen who can give an inning at any time.
Right-handed surprise
Brad Boxberger is another intriguing bullpen pitcher whose non-tender situation came as a surprise. Boxberger was non-tendered by the D-backs, along with two other surprising names: Shelby Miller and Chris Owings.
In 2015, Boxberger led the AL in saves with 41. And, he had 32 of them with the D-backs in 2018. But, those 32 saves came at a cost as he walked 32 batters and gave up 44 hits in 53.1 innings. He finished the season with an ERA of 4.39 and a WHIP of 1.425. The one-time All-Star had serious struggles.
He, like Avilan, could be a low-cost addition to a bullpen in need of arms.
The guy who should avoid playoff teams
At the beginning of the 2018 season, the White Sox had a bunch of relief arms that were wisely traded away for more prospects. Xavier Cedeno was one of those and he was sent off to the Brewers at the August trade deadline where he failed miserably in his playoff appearances.
During his regular season appearances with the Brewers, he was solid, posting an ERA of 1.13 in eight innings. But, in the postseason, specifically the NLCS, he practically threw BP for the Dodgers. In four games, he pitched one inning of work against seven batters. His ERA in those games was 18.00 and his WHIP was 4.000. It’s easy to see why he was let go.
Did the pressure of the playoffs get into his head? Only he knows. But lefties out of the pen are valuable and an affordable one can be useful. He could help out a rebuilding team like the Tigers, Mariners, or Orioles.