The Cleveland Indians made a move to bolster their bullpen Monday. Acquiring relief pitcher Nick Wittgren from the Miami Marlins.
The state of the Cleveland Indians bullpen has been a contentious issue all offseason. Cleveland has seen Cody Allen and Andrew Miller depart for new teams while making minimal moves. In an attempt to address the bullpen, the Indians acquired relief pitcher Nick Wittgren from the Miami Marlins. Cleveland designated recently acquired reliever A.J. Cole for assignment in a corresponding move.
Wittgren has endured an up and down career thus far. In three seasons in Miami, Wittgren’s ERA has been fairly inconsistent.
2016 ERA 3.14
2017 ERA 4.68
2018 ERA 2.94
Of course ERA does not tell the whole story. After establishing a WHIP of 1.161 in his first season, Wittgren’s WHIP raised to 1.394 in 2017 and 1.307 in 2018. This trend is hardly encouraging. Wittgren struggled during the middle of last season which inevitably ended up with a trip to AAA. After his stint in AAA, Wittgren returned and pitched well.
Indians must have liked how Wittgren pitched in September
During the month of September Wittgren pitched well, appearing in 10 games and pitching 11.1 innings. Only allowing six hits, two runs, walking two and striking out 11. Wittgren’s ERA in the month of September was 1.59, an obvious step up from his ERA to that point in the season.
Nick Wittgren was not used as a closer in Miami and considering the Indians currently have Brad Hand in that role will not be a closer in Cleveland. It appears that Cleveland will look into using Wittgren more in the middle to late innings rather than close games. Considering that Cleveland has lost some quality relievers who previously appeared during that time of the game it is worth the gamble of acquiring Wittgren.
