Steve Cishek

Position: Reliever

Bats: Right- Throws: Right

Born: June 18, 1986 (31)

Stats: 3-2, 49 G, 44 2/3 IP, 41 SO, 14 BB, 2.01 ERA, 0.896 WHIP, .167 AVG, 1 SV, 3 BS

Most people probably remember this submarine reliever from his days with the Miami Marlins as their closer. After securing the job over the course of the 2012 season, Steve Cishek went on to record 88 saves in 98 attempts over a three-year span through 2014.

That all changed though in 2015 when he struggled to the tune of a 4.50 ERA in 32 innings of work and lost his closer’s job in April. He was eventually traded away to the St. Louis Cardinals where he would actually finish the year strong with a 2.31 ERA in 27 appearances.

Cishek continued his success in 2016 with the Seattle Mariners and became a key reliever in their bullpen with a solid 2.81 ERA in 64 innings that season

In 2017, he started the year on the disabled list and struggled when he returned in May in his first five outings as he allowed three runs in 4 1/3 innings. As the season went on though, he continued to improve and was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in July for Erasmo Ramirez.

In Tampa Bay, Cishek would have a 1.09 ERA in 26 appearances and combined with his 3.15 ERA in Seattle, he would finish the season with an incredible 2.01 ERA and 0.896 WHIP.

Contract: 

Cishek is likely looking at a contract in the two year, $15-$20 million range. While he is one of the more consistent relievers on the market this offseason, he is very comparable to pitchers like Pat Neshek, Bryan Shaw, Joe Smith, etc. He is below the closer-tier of Greg Holland and Wade Davis which just by that standard lowers his overall value. Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports Network predicted he would receive a three year, $21 million contract.

Recommendation: 

If the Mets could get Cishek at a reasonable price, like the ones listed above, it would be wise to sign him. He has shown the ability to maintain consistency over his short career so far. Consistency is often a question with relievers, but in the case of Cishek that should not be a problem.

For a team that struggled with their bullpen this past season, the Mets should really try to get a reliever of this caliber on the cheap. So, in all likelihood, they will sign the one of the previously mentioned crops of relievers. The decision on a pitcher like Cishek will likely come down to which reliever they could get the cheapest. However, Cishek stands out the most in terms of upside and he should be very affordable which makes him a great fit for the 2018 Mets.