Position: RHRP
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Date of Birth: 8/25/1987 (31)
Traditional Stats: 3.14 ERA, 51.2 IP, 1.32 WHIP, 9.06 K/9, 3.48 BB/9, 1.05 HR/9
Advanced Stats: 1.1 bWAR, 0.3 fWAR, 3.94 FIP, .294 BABIP
More and more teams like guys who can go multiple innings out of the bullpen. Adam Warren has been doing that since 2013 for the Yankees, he pitched in 34 games spanning 77 innings during his first full pro season.
The 2018 season was a little different in that regard for Warren though he still had more innings pitched (51.2) than appearances (47) combined between the Yankees and Mariners. The right-hander also has experience as a start with 21 in his big league career including 17 for the Yankees in 2015.
His role is to essentially be a guy that can pitch in a multitude of situations out of the bullpen. Almost like how the Mets used Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman to begin the 2018 season. Both of those guys moved up the depth chart in the bullpen so the Mets could not use them as multi-inning guys but the Mets were better when they had someone to go multiple innings on a regular basis.
He’s mostly a fastball-slider pitcher, though he does still mix in a changeup and curve leftover from his days as a starter. Warren likes his slider, threw it 45.3% of the time in 2018. His walk rate went up 3.48 per nine innings this year after only 2.35 in 2017, but his strikeouts also went up to 9.06 K/9 from 8.48 K/9 in 2017.
Contract
Jon Heyman believes he will get two years and $10 million. The current reliever market been kind to those who possess big upside but Warren is not one of those pitchers. I expect a one-year deal worth $5 million or a two-year deal worth $8 million.
Recommendation
It’s a low risk move. The Mets could do a lot worse and Warren allows them to use Lugo and Gsellman in higher leverage situations. The team could be more creative in how they use their relievers which in-turn makes the team better. He’s nothing exciting but he does a lot for teams.
