Tony Sipp

Position: Relief Pitcher
Bats/Throws: L/L
Age: July 12, 1983 (35)

Traditional Stats: 3-1, 1.86 ERA, 54 G, 38.2 IP, 1.034 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9, 9.8 K/9
Advanced Stats: 1.3 bWAR, 0.9 fWAR 218 ERA+, 2.41 FIP

In the two years prior to joining the Astros, he looked like a pitcher in decline. Over that span, he had a 4.56 ERA, 1.371 WHIP, and he had a 2.0 K/BB ratio. Digging deeper into the data, there wasn’t much hope as Sipp had an 85 ERA+ and a 4.76 FIP. All told, he was a soon to be 30 year old pitcher whom the league appeared to figure out.

Then, like others we have seen, Sipp joined the Astros, and the analytically driven team has helped him become a much better and more reliable pitcher.

Over the past five years, he has had a 3.49 ERA, 1.171 WHIP, and a 3.1 K/BB ratio. Perhaps more importantly, he has been getting left-handed batters out. As an Astro, he has limited left-handed batters to a .215/.290/.390 batting line. Even with him being 35, it is possible he is just getting started.

The 2018 season was arguably the best of his career. As noted above, he had terrific stats in his 38.2 innings pitched. He limited left-handed batters to a .191/.263/.294 batting line while allowing just one homer and just five extra base hits to them all year.

Even with him coming off a terrific year and his being the only left-handed reliever in the bullpen, he was not utilized by the Astros in the postseason. He was not used at all in the ALDS despite Cleveland having Yonder Alonso, Michael Brantley, and Jason Kipnis. He was mostly a bystander in the ALCS pitching just 1.1 innings against a team who had Rafael Devers and Mitch Moreland tearing the cover off the ball.

Still, his postseaosn use has no bearing on the quality LOOGY he has become. According to Brooks Baseball, his fastball and splitter generate a number of swings and misses, and batters have trouble lifting his slider. Overall, even at his age, he is an effective pitcher, and he is one who is aware of what the Astros have been doing to help pitchers, which is something every team should want to learn.

Contract

Looking over the past few years, older left-handed relievers with a track record typically receive major league deals. For example, Zach Duke was given a one year $2.15 million deal by the Twins last year. So far this offseason, we have yet to see the LOOGY market develop, which is not unusual for this point in the offseason. Overall, Sipp is probably looking for a one to two-year deal worth up to $3 million annually.

Recommendation

At the moment, the Mets bullpen is led by Edwin Diaz, Jeurys Familia, and Seth Lugo. These are the guys who are pitching the pressure innings, and they are going to be in regardless of whether the batter is right or left-handed. That is partially because each of them has good numbers against left-handed batters.

This leads to the question about whether the Mets truly need a LOOGY, or frankly, if it’s even wise to add one. One thing we have seen with Mickey Callaway from his first year is he tends to ride that bullpen fairly hard. This led to the Mets needing to demote Brandon Nimmo in April to add a reliever to the bullpen. That would not be the only time during the season the Mets needed to make a move like that.

Beyond how Callaway uses the bullpen, there’s the question of resource allocation. The team is still in need of someone who can play center, and they still need to build a bench. Beyond that, they have to fill in three other bullpen spots.

Arguably, one of those pitchers should be left-handed. On that front, Daniel Zamora showed exactly what you wanted to see, and historically, he has shown the ability to hold his own against right-handed batters. The team has also been discussing for a few years now about moving P.J. Conlon to the bullpen, a move which should be expedited after his 2018 season. Beyond them, there will be any number of pitchers who could be added on a minor league deal.

If he was on his game like he was last year, Sipp gives the Mets a real left-handed weapon out of the bullpen, but at what cost? Financially, it may stand in the way of a bench player the Mets need, and logistically, it is just asking for the Mets to tire out their bullpen. Accordingly, the Mets should be turning their attention elsewhere.