THE BULLPEN:
CP: Mark Melancon
SU: Tony Watson
SU: Tyler Clippard
SU: Neftali Feliz
RP: Jared Hughes (DL)
RP: Gavin Floyd
RP: Kyle Lobstein
The Pirates bullpen ranks ninth in the NL in ERA at 4.11 so far this season. It’s hard for relievers to keep a low ERA. The best ones in the game struggle to get and stay below 2.00, but even with that in mind, the Pirates relievers have struggled mightily. About the lone bright spot has been the one piece the Pirates considered trading away this offseason in Mark Melancon. Thankfully, they couldn’t find an offer to match their asking price.
Tony Watson has surrendered three runs in an outing twice already this season. He’s allowed three runs or more in an outing just nine times in his professional career, including two in each of the last two seasons, but never has he done so more than twice in any given season or twice this early in the season. He will get back on track, but the Pirates could have used some reliable relievers to back him up.
Tyler Clippard has had a sub-3.00 ERA in each of the last three seasons. He’s had a workload that can only be surpassed by Melancon and Watson. He’s reliable, and at just $4.1 million this season, the Diamondbacks are getting quite a bargain for one of the best setup men in baseball. Neftali Feliz has been solid, although no longer perfect, in a Pirates uniform. Gavin Floyd is one player that would have been worth taking a flyer on this offseason, and that’s exactly what the Blue Jays did. At just a million dollars, Floyd would have been a worthy competitor against Kyle Lobstein for the last spot in the bullpen until the injury to Jared Hughes happened extending their competition.
Bench Total: $26,327,500
Roster Total: $66,589,166
Click here to take a look at the starting rotation.
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