With the departure of Andrew Miller and the assumption Cody Allen will not return the Cleveland Indians need to find bullpen help.
Part of the reason that the Cleveland Indians sent Francisco Mejia to San Diego in return for Brad Hand and Adam Cimber was the expectation that Andrew Miller and Cody Allen would not return. This was a preemptive move to address the bullpen without having to spend in free agency. Even with this move Cleveland needs to sign a free agent relief pitcher. Here are some names they could consider signing this offseason.
Justin Wilson
Justin Wilson has spent time with four clubs in his career. The Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs. Wilson has endured some up and down campaigns, but overall is a reliable relief pitcher. Wilson has a career 3.33 ERA and 1.268 WHIP with 13 saves in his career. While Wilson is not a closer, he does have experience finishing games. Wilson has finished 81 games in his career and could provide Cleveland with a good back end of the bullpen arm if they decide to go this route. However the 31-year old lefty may be a bit of their price range and Cleveland may have to go in a different direction.
Tyler Clippard
Another pitcher who has experience some ups and downs in his career is Tyler Clippard. Although Clippard’s inconsistencies have come later in his 12-year career, there was a time when he was a shutdown option in the bullpen. The 34-year old reliever has a career ERA of 3.16, a WHIP of 1.127 and 68 saves. Like the aforementioned Justin Wilson, Clippard has experience finishing games, finishing 186 in his career. This includes 22 last season with Toronto. Considering Clippard has bounced around the past few seasons he may be more affordable than some of the other options available to the Indians.
Brad Boxberger
Although he may be more well known for his players weekend jersey, Brad Boxberger is another option for Cleveland. Boxberger does have experience as closer, closing 76 games in his career. All but one coming between two stops in Tampa Bay and Arizona. The issue with attempting to sign Boxberger is that he was a closer last season. Currently Cleveland has a closer in Brad Hand and is not necessarily in the market for one. Additionally Boxberger may be looking for “closer money” and not “reliever money”. This could price him right out of Cleveland’s comfort zone. However if Boxberger prioritizes winning over money, (it is unlikely), Cleveland may come away with a good bullpen arm.
Oliver Perez
Reports are that the Cleveland Indians and Oliver Perez have interest in a reunion. Perez spent some time with Cleveland last season and enjoyed a renaissance of sorts. In 51 games Perez had a 1.39 ERA with a 0.742 WHIP. While it is unreasonable to expect a repeat of this performance next season, Perez could be a budget bullpen arm for Cleveland to target. A return of Perez would not necessarily move the needle, but would provide the club with a steady reliever that all teams covet.
