With Thanksgiving leftovers finally out of the fridge, the MLB world is starting to look forward to the winter meetings, which start on Sunday. We’ll bring you player news and updates throughout the week. But first, let’s take a look at some free agent signings that happened just before the festivities began in Nashville, Tennessee.
Mets bet on Luis Severino’s comeback season
After a shockingly disappointing season, the Mets began rebuilding their pitching staff by signing Luis Severino to a one-year, $13 million contract. The 29-year-old was forced into a prove-it contract after posting one of the worst stat lines for a starter last season. His 6.65 ERA was the seventh-highest among starting pitchers who pitched 80 or more innings. Severino has been limited to 209 1/3 innings pitched since 2019, largely due to his ongoing battle with injuries. Severino joins a Mets rotation that includes Kodai Chiga, Jose Quintana, Tyler Megill and Joey Lucchesi, who will move to a friendlier venue at Citi Field. He has struggled with long balls at Yankee Stadium the past two seasons. He allowed 14 and 23 home runs in 2021 and 2022, respectively, which is only three fewer home runs than he allowed in 2017-2018, but he faced 741 more batters in those two seasons. .
Looking inside, the right-hander still has the makings of an above-average pitcher. He’s throwing more than three pitches, and his velocity hasn’t slowed down despite his injury history. It’s a fallout for the once highly regarded hurler, but a great season with the Mets could earn him an even more lucrative contract next offseason. Currently, in the NFBC Draft and Hold League (15 teams, 50 rounds), Severino is the 321st overall pick and the 125th pitcher to drop, with Tyler Wells and Ricky Tiedemann just ahead of him. If Severino is healthy, has a new venue to call home and the talent, and this is a big assumption, he could easily be stolen at that point in the draft.
Former Marlins find new home and similar contract
The same day the Mets announced the Severino deal, they also made another, albeit smaller, deal. MLB.com’s Mark Feinstand reports that the Mets and Joey Wendle have agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract, ending Wendle’s time with the Florida team. The 32-year-old began his career in Oakland and was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays before the 2018 season. Although he doesn’t have much power over the fences or speed on the bases, Wendle is on an above-average contract, doesn’t strike out much, and will fill in the dirt around the infield. His final season with the Marlins was the worst season of his career, hitting .212/.248/.306 in 112 games. His presence with the Mets could prevent Ronnie Mauricio from making the opening day roster at the major league club unless the young 22-year-old sets the world on fire in spring training.
The Royals also entered hot stove waters this week by signing speedster Garrett Hampson to a one-year, $2 million contract. The 29-year-old has spent most of his career at the sprawling property known as Coors Park, but spent last season with the Marlins. Once highly touted as a promising player, Hampson posted over 100 wRC+ twice during his six-year career. During his time at Miami, Hampson bounced between the infield and outfield, hitting .276/.349/.380 in 252 at-bats. He will likely play the same role with his new team, giving the Royals another low-power, speed option off the bench. He could make an interesting flyer in a deeper draft and hold the league for speed late in the draft, but fantasy managers shouldn’t expect much more from him.
Reds at double bottom in free agent pitching market
Jeff Passan reported late Thursday night that the Reds and Nick Martinez have agreed to a two-year, $26 million contract. This was a huge payday for Martinez, who opted out of his final two years with the Padres and earned an additional $10 million in the transfer. The deal also includes an opt-out after the first year, and could earn Martinez even more if he has a strong season in Cincinnati. Martinez has had an interesting journey so far in his career. He made his debut with the Rangers in 2014, and after four underwhelming seasons, he landed in Japan and pitched for the Nippon-Ham Fighters and SoftBank Hawks. His final season with the Hawks was very impressive, as he posted a 1.62 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 146/39 K/BB ratio in 2/3 innings (23 starts). He took advantage of that season and signed a four-year contract with the Padres.
In his final year in San Diego, the 32-year-old split between pitching as a starter and reliever, posting a 3.43 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 106/40 K/BB ratio in 110 1/3 innings (9 starts). Not only will he be leaving the beautiful climate of Southern California, he will also be leaving Petco Park, a pitcher’s paradise. Looking at park factors, Petco Park has a wOBA of 98, while New World’s Great American Ball Park has the third highest park factor at 1.04. However, since returning from Japan, his right arm has been able to keep balls on the ground that would otherwise be swallowed by a young Red infielder, so a move to the East might not be too tough for him. do not have.
The Reds also signed Emilio Pagan to a one-year, $8 million contract with an $8 million player option in 2025. Pagan, unlike Martinez, has had home run issues since entering the league with the Mariners in 2017, but oddly enough, last season. Since 2018, his second season, the 32-year-old never had an HR/FB rate below 13.5% until his final season with the Twins, when he had an HR/FB rate of 5.3%. Ta. The bad situation appears to be lasting as the relief pitcher will be based in Cincinnati, where he has the best home run percentage in the league. He will likely be a setup man for closer Alexis Diaz, but his tendency to give up long balls is hard to overlook, so he should be avoided in most fantasy leagues.