Right-hander Dan Straily dropped completely off the MLB radar following a dismal 2019 showing with the Orioles — a season that saw him surrender 52 earned runs in just 47 2/3 big league innings. Interest in the righty was tepid, and he opted to take a guaranteed $1MM deal with the Lotte Giants of the Korea Baseball Organization over a nonguaranteed deal with an MLB club.
That move could wind up paying dividends for Straily, who’ll turn 32 next Tuesday. Sportsgrid’s Craig Mish reports that the veteran righty is receiving interest from MLB and KBO clubs alike, with the Angels, Giants and Reds among the Major League teams to have reached out. Straily is aiming to decide between a return to the Majors and another season (or seasons) in South Korea as soon as next week, per the report.
Straily’s return to the market this winter comes under vastly different circumstances. While he was coming off the worst season of his professional career a year ago, Straily recently wrapped an outstanding debut campaign in the KBO. In 31 starts, Straily totaled 194 frames and pitched to a 2.50 ERA and 2.97 FIP, averaging 9.5 strikeouts, 2.4 walks and 0.46 home runs per nine innings pitched. It was a remarkable turnaround for the well-traveled right-hander — one that seems to have restored some confidence in his ability to navigate a Major League lineup.
The 2019 season was such a struggle for Straily that it’s easy to forget he’s not far removed from being a perfectly serviceable rotation piece in the Majors. From 2016-18, Straily pitched in 90 games for the Reds and Marlins, working to a collective 4.03 ERA with 7.8 K/9, 3.3 BB/9 and 1.49 HR/9. Fielding-independent marks were less bullish on the righty (4.83 FIP, 4.89 xFIP) due in some part to a .261 average on balls in play that was well below the league average and a 77.9 percent strand rate that was well north of average. It’s fair to say that Straily probably did benefit from some good fortune, but extreme fly-ball pitchers like him are generally able to sustain lower BABIPs; his .261 mark over that three-year term is right in line with his career .267 mark.
Also working in Straily’s favor is the simple fact that he should be affordable if he opts to return from the KBO. It’s possible he could command a multi-year pact with a modest annual salary, but many teams are likely hoping to ink him on a one-year deal, perhaps with some incentives to help boost his annual value. He’d surely be able to generate multi-year interest in the KBO or perhaps in NPB at this point, though a successful big league return is the most lucrative potential path forward.
If he can get more $ from a KBO team then stay in the KBO. If the offers are very close then a return to a MLB team seems very likely.
Yep, definitely sounds like an Angels type of signing.
Why, is his arm about to fall off?
They do this every year.
2018 it was Corbin and Keuchel, walk out with Cahill and Harvey.
2019 it was Cole and Ryu, walk out with Teheran.
Hopefully they learn from their mistakes, but they’re going to come out of the offseason with like Straily and Aaron Sanchez instead of Bauer or Paxton.
Paxton is injury prone and Sanchez is already coming off of an injury so both would fit right in. However, the Angels have a lot of money on the books for Trout, Pujols (finally the last year of his contract), Upton, and Rendon. They may not be too eager to spend another 20+ million per season to add Bauer
angels still have appx. $40 mil to spend before hitting the tax threshold. enough, i think, to build a winner if they spend wisely.
Bauer’s not happening. Can’t afford him plus a MI, C, probably 1 another SP, at least a platoon RF, and 2-3 RPs.
Lol Angels can afford Bauer, a MI, C, and 1-2 RP, they already signed a platoon RF.
How? MLBTradeRumors reported they have $25 mil to spend NOW. Perhaps they can get to $35 mil? Bauer eats up $30 mil+ so how can they afford decent players at the other positions, when they had the most blown saves in 2020?
After some non tenders, the Angels probably have $35 million-ish to spend on the high end. If Bauer commands $25 million of it, there’s no way to get all of the rest.
Adell, Marsh, Fletcher. One will be traded but if it is Fletcher that creates a second MI hole to fill.
Ideally, Adell to Cleveland for Plesac and signing Tanaka gives the Angels two plus arms for $13.5 million per year based on MLBTR estimates, leaving money for the other spots. More realistic is Marsh for Carrasco, sign a lower tier guy, then there’s money for other spots.
Bauer wants to play for a team that has a chance at winning it all
What mistakes? Those top arms you pointed out chose to sign elsewhere. You can’t force any player to sign. All those secondary signings told me was that they need better starting pitching coming up from their farm system. The mistake was abandoning the formula from the previous decade that got them 6 playoff appearances in 8 years and a championship. That formula was investing in their farm system and developing pitching. Losing out on those top arms you speak of is just the aftermath of abandoning that formula.
$25M was the floor. They can go high as they want.
The Angels “can” do anything. Realistically, with MLB teams reporting losses from 2020, a pandemic back for a new round which, as predicted, is worse than what was seen last Summer, and a vaccine which won’t see expanded rollout until April/May (and it will only be as effective as the number of those who are vaccinated), I don’t think any franchise will be busting its budget.
Honestly it sounds like a trolls type of response
Yep, typical Angels move. 1yr deal for a guy who most likely won’t throw more than 100 IP and have an ERA north of 5.
Setzer-That’s okay your Mariners can have em
M’s aren’t my team, thanks.
He wouldn’t be a bad signing coming back from that great of a season in the KBO.
I would expect even an average MLB pitcher to have an excellent year in the KBO.
not so with the offense oriented league and juiced balls. this past season was the most offense dominating season.
That’s not true… And his season was truly excellent… I mean above and beyond what’s considered a good year over there. He clearly fixed the issues that plagued him in 2019 and certainly deserves another shot in the majors.
Phillies could bring him back
Angels like their ex-A’s castoffs.
Funny that all three teams mentioned are stuck in mediocrity.
This is 100% a Farhan Zaidi move. Wouldn’t be surprised at all to see him in SF.
He’ll either be the third starter on a KBO team, or the Red Sox Opening Day starter……
When does Chris Sale come back?
Haha I actually legitimately lol’ed at this comment… but in all seriousness… he probably wouldn’t be a bad signing for the Red Sox. I mean the guy totally dominated the KBO last year… I mean really put up an impressive season, and before his awful 2019 he had been a pretty solid starter for the prior couple of seasons. I could definitely see him return stateside and wind up posting a 3.50-3.75 ERA which would certainly be a welcome addition to the Red Sox (or pretty much anyone else’s) starting rotation.
I could see him with any of those three teams. Angels need starters with durablity. Giants need innings. He’s already had success with the Reds do a familiar place may be good for him
Great point, I tend to always think that pitchers looking to bounce back would want to play in the bay due to the size of the park, but after seeing the way the balls flew out of right last year, I don’t know. I think if they keep the arches closed again this year no pitcher would want to come to the bay IMO.
That 2019 season was as brutal a season statistically as you are ever going to see. Yikes.
I kept looking at the 52 runs in 48 innings. That’s beyond brutal. For perspective, Kershaw has averaged giving up 48 runs per 180 IP over 13 seasons.
Yes but Kershaw just could never win the one that counts the most
Anyone remember how Josh lindblom was supposed to be amazing coming back from KBO? Yawn
He didn’t pitch that bad. Over the course of a full season his number would’ve evened out and he’d be worth it, especially at the salary he signed for.
Ahhhh…I remember all those bashers questioning why the Marlins let Straily go…essentially to give the younger arms get a chance.
Those statements were almost as funny as those “Jeter gifted Stanton to the Yankees” comments.
That’s a hilarious comment when you realize they once traded the Reds Luis Castillo to acquire him.
And that’s one of the many trades that Mike Hill did which is the reason why no Marlins fan will miss Hill.
Honestly friend I was upset at first. He was starting in spring which seemed weird and they gave up Castillo to get him. So I think that’s why the fans were upset. He quickly imploded and everyone felt much better….but not about losing Castillo (twice!!! What the heck Hill?!)
We’re talking about Hill, the moron that found ways to butcher many many trades with the Marlins. If Dombrowski didn’t leave the Marlins with a full cupboard of talent, Hill would not have a championship. the only skill Hill has displayed is self-preservation.
If they want to take a flyer on somebody , go with chris archer
After Thoracic Outlet Syndrome surgery? I think I’d rather roll the dice on a healthy Straily honestly.
Same. TOC is usually a career ender.
I might rather Straily over Archer believe it or not
Well not only is a Farhan Giants kind of guy but SF is the pitcher’s park over the hill past their prime types think they can resurrect their careers ala Gausman Smyly Melancon yada yada. Not only is Straily ideally suited to start in SF but I could see Paxton trying to bury his Yankee Yankees experiment and sign for a year to become a viable multi-year free agent the year after. Would not be shocked to see Lester try and pitch out of SF this year to build trade value and end up with a playoff competitive team by the trade deadline or for 2022 as another one-year signing…
So…the Giants will just sign everyone?
You made sense of his ramblings?
I always liked Straily. He’s not a top of the rotation arm by any means, but was always consistently solid until 2019. I could still see him potentially being a solid #4/5 type on plenty of teams.
Steely Dan is trying to Reel in the Years!
That’s corny and genius
Angels need 2 starters and probably a long reliever/swing man depending on if they tender Andriese.
He would fulfill either the back end or long reliever need, at best.
He needs to pitch once a year. At the home run derby.
WOW now this is the electric arm the giants need
The guy pitched as well as a lot of the top KBO guys that are getting posted….ie 2.50 ERA. That should tell you about how well those guys will do in MLB. Solid 4 or 5 rotation guy as are the other KBO posted pitchers with similar stats.
He averaged about 2.0 WAR the last 3 MLB seasons but that was skewed with a 4.1 WAR 2017. Still…..it’s reasonable to expect 1.0-1.5 WAR from him which is easily worth about $2-3M IMO. Keep in mind he only made $800K in Korea last year…
The ability to pitch to those numbers in the KBO does not mean he can match them back in the MLB. That being said, I wouldn’t mind the Angels looking at him for a cheap one year deal layered with incentives and a club option for a second year.
I like the number of starts and innings pitched, which would be a huge boost for the Angels rotation.
You could do worse for a #4/5 starter. One problem is his flyball tendencies so I would recommend him going to a pitcher friendly park.
The innings pitched is the most intriguing aspect of what Strailey brings to the table.
We know who he is, a #4 or #5 in MLB. And there’s value in that if he can rack up serviceable innings. As long as he’s known for who and what he is he can help a lot of teams, like SD, LAA, SF, OAK; all California teams with big ballparks. He’s a Cali kid so a homecoming seems reasonable. But Minnesota, NYM, Texas or even KC could be possible destinations.
Some people tweeted footage of Dan pitching this year overseas. He has a new breaking ball that’s kind of like a change/splitter mix. A couple clips I saw it looked fantastic. He was throwing 89-92 with what seemed like a slider and then this new pitch. Made hitters look very foolish. He should be able to offer something to a club since it wasn’t just a typical go face weaker opponents and succeed situation.
$25M was the floor. They can go high as they want.
$25M was the floor. They can go high as they want.
This could easily be a substantial steal if straily were signed for anything similar to the Linblom deal which was around 9 million for 3 years. That’s 3 mill per year. If he bounces back he could be dealt for prospects or used in the back end of the rotation. If you’re one of the people leaving a snarky comment about the Angels and a potential depth piece signing then you are nothing but an uneducated troll.
As with all things it probably comes down to price, right? If he’s in the Lindblom neighborhood of $3mil/year he’s worth keeping in mind. Anything more than that doesn’t seem to make sense since he’s not really a 6-inning per start kind of guy. Last year in the KBO might be the only year he did that (I’m not checking game logs for Cincy in 2016; I’ll take that L if I’m wrong).
Curious, When the Giants Plan on doing any Meaningful Moves that Might Actually Help the Team, next year, instead of just Rumors ?? Like Maybe a Starting Pitcher, for Starters !! Preferably one that’s NOT on the DL and has a Pass History of Arm Troubles. You know a Healthy Person for Once, would be Great !! Since Obviously we have Zero Intentions of sniffing any Playoffs AGAIN, this Year !!
What do you mean? Yaz has been healthy since he got here, for STARTERS! And by the way, Zaidi said he expects to legitimately contend this year, which, for the past 2 years, he didn’t hope to contend. He said it was a pleasant surprise to contend those 2 years, and now he says that he expects to and hopes to contend this year
Wow, One Player, Out of How Many ??