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Cincinnati Reds: Three veteran relief pitchers worth signing

By Drew Koch

CINCINNATI, OH - MAY 31: Tony Sipp #36 of the Washington Nationals pitches in the seventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on May 31, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati defeated Washington 9-3. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - MAY 31: Tony Sipp #36 of the Washington Nationals pitches in the seventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on May 31, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati defeated Washington 9-3. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – JULY 04: Steve Cishek #41 of the Chicago Cubs delivers a pitch in the ninth inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on July 4, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

2. Steve Cishek, Right-handed pitcher

Steve Cishek should be among the top free agent targets on the Cincinnati Reds shopping list. The right-handed reliever has spent the past two seasons with the Chicago Cubs, putting up a combined 2.55 ERA over 143.1 innings pitched. Cishek does not throw hard, but his delivery and deception are effective. Adding Cishek would solidify the Reds bullpen heading into next season.

Cishek is a sinker ball pitcher. The 33-year-old is a former fifth-round draft pick of the Miami Marlins and has bounced around the league for the better part of his major league career. Cishek found a home in Chicago the past two years after agreeing to a two-year/$13M deal with the North Siders back in December of 2017.

Reds fans remember the success that Jared Hughes, also a sinker ball pitcher, had at Great American Ball Park during his two seasons in the Queen City. Last season, according to FanGraphs, Cishek saw his ground ball-rate hit 50.0%. Every Reds fan knows how well that type of arsenal plays at GABP.

Cishek does not come without his flaws. While he has been dominant in his career against right-handed hitters to the tune of a .199 batting average against (BAA), left-handers are not as susceptible. Left-handed hitters have a career-OPS of .694 when facing Cishek and last season opposing hitters had a .733 OPS.

It’s honestly a bit surprising that Steve Cishek has yet to land a major league deal. Unlike Tony Sipp, securing Cishek would be a bit more costly. Before the offseason began, MLB Trade Rumors predicted the right-hander could earn a two-year/$10M contract. Craig Stammen was projected to be in the same ballpark, so a deal for Cishek would likely look similar to the one just signed by the Padres left-hander.

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