Free-agent reliever Cody Allen held a showcase for interested teams in Dallas on Friday, according to Paul Hoynes of cleveland.com. Nineteen clubs attended, per Hoynes, who notes Allen’s fastball sat in the 89 mph to 90 mph range in what was his first bullpen session of the offseason. The Indians – Allen’s first MLB team – were not at the showcase, Hoynes reports.
Allen was one of the majors’ most effective relievers as recently as 2017, his last of five straight outstanding seasons with Cleveland, but his stock has dropped precipitously since then. He struggled in his final year as a member of the Indians in 2018, though Allen still scored a guarantee worth $8.5MM with the Angels last winter.
The Allen gamble didn’t work out at all for the Halos, with whom the right-hander’s decline continued over the first couple months of 2019. Although Allen did strike out 11.35 batters per nine across 23 innings as an Angel, a horrid 7.83 walk rate and a bloated 6.26 ERA offset his high K/9, which led the team to release him in mid-June.
Allen didn’t catch on in the majors again after the Angels said goodbye. He instead spent just over a month with the Twins on a minor league contract and tossed eight frames with their Triple-A affiliate before they cut the cord at the end of July. The 31-year-old hasn’t pitched professionally since – not only thanks to his weak bottom-line production last season, but because of a marked drop in velocity. At his best, Allen was a dominant Indians closer whose average fastball checked in around 95 mph. However, that number fell to a personal-worst 92.3 mph in 2019.
Minor league offer with an invitation- but I’d want control over him thru the ASB as the price.
wortha shot on a Minors contract
I realize it’s December but topping at 89 – 90? I would have thought before scheduling a workout his agent would have privately already worked him out. Might be he’s been working on his control at the expense of his power but I’d be hesitant to sign him to any kind of guaranteed money. At most a spring training invite.
I realize it’s December but topping at 89 – 90? I would have thought before scheduling a workout his agent would have privately already worked him out. Might be he’s been working on his control at the expense of his power but I’d be hesitant to sign him to any kind of guaranteed money. At most a spring training invite as Exile suggests.
I was thinking the same thing. Take a few weeks more and at least Avg in the 90’s. But, you have to ask or see I his medical records why such a relatively young player declines so rapidly and not in just game stats but Velo. The dude used to look good. Might be time to take a long flight to the Asian leagues. Build up value, confidence or just for some good ol money.
Tito worked him and Miller hard when they were together. Too hard?
This has cubs all over it. This will be the big bullpen piece at a Ricketts price
He might have to help on stadium renos on off days
Agree. Good depth move.
I know, right?
Non injured pitcher doesn’t fit the Cubs mold. Would be better if pitching to replace strop and morrow.
please dont bring those memories back in that Angel Uni..please
Harvey and Cahill are still available too..
Bloom should give him a chance
Bet the cubs sign him for 1 year 1 million, in the offseason of change they have changed nothing except being billionaires crying about being broke that’s a new one from ricketts
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Halos brought him back with a non-roster invite because I believe Mickey’s their pitching coach now.
Dude was horrible here. Often couldn’t locate his breaking ball so hitters could sit and tee off on his arrow straight fastball.
Rangers need to take a flyer on him for 1y 2mm dollars. I mean he was doing his showcase in Dallas.
He won’t even get $2 mil. He will get a minors contract with an invite to spring training
Yeah. I think so. I’m also a Ranger fan, but that’s probably market price. Rangers have a bunch of AA and up relievers who he could logjam on a guaranteed deal.
I’m not even minor league contract with an invite to spring training
I wish nothing but the best for Cody as an Angels fan but he should retire.
Lol Japan or Korea are better options
Work on that four iron.
Heavily laden incentive contract …low base….. Phillies…
No reported injury that may have caused the drop in velo?
Was he ever in the Rangers’ system? No matter, AJ Preller will sign him to 4 years!
[Sarcasm]
White Sox should grab him.
Nah.
I was there. It was a “check out how far these guys can hit my fourseamer” showcase.
It says it was his first bullpen. He threw to live hitters for his first BP?
should go to Japan or Korea. could land more guaranteed while at least seeing new hitters.
Would be a good gamble for the Phillies. Sort of like buying a scratch-off lottery ticket at your local7-11. When you buy one you already know you’re probably gonna toss it in the trash can, but you can’t win anything if you don’t try.
Said the same thing about my second wife
Future Sugar Land Skeeter!
Feelin kinda MiLBy.
89-90 mph on his fastball? pass.
More like “swing”
Look at Connor Byrne, dropping “precipitously” in there on us. “What’s that, like a rainout?” “Yes, exactly.”
He was throwing 92-93 with the Angels and wasn’t getting anyone out. He was throwing 94 with the Indians in 2018 and couldn’t get anybody out.
Too bad for Cody that things unravelled so quickly. That’s the story for many relievers though. I hope someone at least gives him a shot with a minors deal and invite to spring training.
the rubberband in his elbow has lost elasticity = loss of velo and control…
He sounds like a Brewers signing. Cheap , little risk, maybe becomes serviceable.
Merry Christmas to you too. Hope your mom is ok
Trash
I hope he served food.