Kelvin Herrera

Position: RHRP
Bats/Throws: R/R
Age: December 31, 1989 (28)

Traditional Stats: 2.44 ERA, 44.1 IP, 1.195 WHIP, 8./7 H/9, 1.22 HR/9, 3.0 BB/9, 8.5 K/9
Advanced Stats: 3.95 FIP, 4.31 xFIP, 1.6 bWAR, 0.4 fWAR, .287 BABIP

Kelvin Herrera was the first “big” deal of the 2018 MLB trade season, going from the Royals to the Nationals on June 18.. Over seven-and-a-half seasons in Kansas City, the right-hander posted a 2.75 earned-run average over 463 appearances, all in relief.

Before the trade, the Dominican native was pitching wonderfully, owning a 1.05 ERA over his first 27 outings of the year (25.2 innings) with a 2.69 FIP, 0.818 WHIP, and an outstanding 11.00 strikeouts-to-walks ratio.

It seemed the 28-year-old Herrera had finally found the consistency that had eluded him since his 1.41 ERA-in-70-appearances campaign with the Royals in 2014. He was traded to the Nationals on June 18 for three minor leaguers, third baseman Kelvin Gutierrez, outfielder Blake Perkins, and right-hander Yohanse Morel.

After two scoreless innings in his first two appearances for the Nationals, Herrera was tagged for two runs in the eighth versus the Phillies on June 23. He went three more outings without allowing a run, allowed three runs over his next four appearances (July 4 through July 12), and rattled off four more scoreless innings from July 15 to July 24.

Herrera put up a 10.80 ERA over his next five games (3.1 innings) before hitting the disabled list for the first time in his eight-year MLB career (rotator cuff impingement) on August 8. After two more appearances (1.2 innings, zero earned runs), the Dominican’s season came to an early end due to a Lisfranc tear in his left foot.

Overall, this was an inconsistent and presumably frustrating season for Kelvin Herrera. On the bright side, when he was healthy, he was one of the most dominating relievers in all of baseball. Given his track record, one has to believe the injuries he faced last season weren’t an indicator of things to come for the talented righty. Or at least, one has to hope so.

Contract

Herrera just concluded his final arbitration-eligible season, making $7,937,500 over the course of the year. Fangraphs is estimating the right-hander receives a three-year, $27 million deal on the open market.

He’s held batters to a .230/.290/.357 slash line over the course of his career, with a 1.154 WHIP, 8.9 strikeouts per nine innings, and has battle-tested postseason experience.

Considering how effective Herrera was before the injury bug struck last season — if Fangraphs’ projections are close — this could be a good deal for any MLB team who needs a solid relief upgrade.

Recommendation

If the New York Mets are truly serious about contending in 2019, shoring up a weakened bullpen has to be at the top of Brodie Van Wagenen’s list of priorities.

As things stand today, Seth Lugo, Robert Gsellman, and Anthony Swarzak can be tabbed as members of next year’s relief corps. Young hurlers Drew Smith and Daniel Zamora will likely — and with just cause — have first dibs at depth spots.

Herrera would be an excellent addition for a team looking to add multiple high leverage relievers this offseason.