3:30pm: Hand is indeed discussing multi-year deals with teams, Jesse Rogers of ESPN tweets.
11:53am: The Mets’ interest in lefty Brad Hand was already known, but SNY’s Andy Martino provides some additional context on the club’s pursuit, reporting that New York has been seeking a one-year pact that would pay Hand a bit less than the $10MM price point at which all 30 clubs passed on claiming him earlier this offseason. Hand, however, is seeking at least a two-year arrangement.
Two years for Hand has seemed plausible throughout the winter, and recent multi-year pacts for Blake Treinen ($17.5MM total) and Liam Hendriks ($54MM total) only further lend credence to the idea that he’d be justified seeking two or more years despite going unclaimed at season’s end. Notably, Martino suggests in a follow-up tweet that had the Mets’ sale to Steve Cohen gone through just days earlier, the team almost certainly would’ve claimed Hand. The Mets’ sale was finalized on Nov. 6; Hand cleared waivers on Oct. 30.
At the time Hand cleared waivers, there was surely some hesitancy from owners to commit to any notable salary additions given the uncertainty of what the upcoming 2021 season would look like. There’s still no way of definitively knowing, of course, but commissioner Rob Manfred recently instructed clubs to prepare for a full 162-game slate and for Spring Training to start on time. We don’t yet know what fan attendance will look like, however, which has hampered spending and slowed the free-agent market.
That said, there’s been plenty of interest in Hand — clearly just not at the multi-year level he prefers. In addition to the Mets, he’s been linked to the Dodgers, Blue Jays, Astros and White Sox. Reports tying Hand to L.A. and Chicago predated that pair’s respective signings of Treinen and Hendriks, so it’s possible that the extent of their interest has changed.
Based on track record, Hand stands out as the clear top lefty reliever on the market. He’s pitched to a combined 2.70 ERA and 2.79 SIERA over the past five seasons while striking out exactly one-third of the hitters he’s faced against just an 8.1 percent walk rate.
However, Hand did show some red flags in 2020, as his once 94.1 mph average fastball velocity dipped to 91.8 mph — his second straight year of a notable decline. He also benefited from a career-low .255 average on balls in play, and Hand certainly can’t be expected to go an entire season — or even 22 straight innings — without allowing a single home run again as he did in 2020. Today’s teams are far more concerned with what they project a player will do over the life of his contract than what the player has done leading up to said contract, which may help explain the disconnect between Hand’s track record his market to this point.
VonPurpleHayes
It seems Cohen may not want to go over the luxury tax after all. In his defense, the Mets seem like a pretty complete team already. While there are still weaknesses, I think they filled all their holes.
mlbnyyfan
Yankees could of taken a chance on Hand instead of paying more for Britton especially if they are on a budget.
Loling @ you
Britton is also way better than hand and doesnt have injury history
I Beg To Differ
What?
Hand has appeared in 82 games, 72 games, 69 games, 69 games, and 60 games from 2016-2019. He appeared in 23 games out of 60 last year.
As a set up man he appeared in 40-50% of games.
As a closer closer to 40% of games.
Even with injuries here and there’s hes durable and played.
Also 2017 and 2018 Britton was limited due to injury……only played 38 and 41 games those seasons. He had injuries last year too with the hamstring
Not really proving your point.
Rangers29
People should be hesitant of Hand’s velo drop imo. If relievers are the most volatile position in baseball, then relievers with velo drops are even more volatile. Elbow or shoulder concerns?
seth3120
Rangers I know velocity drop is an indicator teams look see as a flag for decline but he pitched quite well with that decline last year
Rangers29
It’s called being crafty, but that doesn’t mean that his injuries have disappeared.
bkbkbkbk
Hand at 2/15 would be a good deal for a team like the halos
cwsOverhaul
Hope Colome also gets 2yrs, just not with the Twins. He is a crafty one who would get WSox hitters to chase junk.
Pete'sView
I can’t imagine that the Giants won’t consider 2/$16 for Hand.
whyhayzee
He should go on a one year to the Orioles, Blue Jays or Cardinals. Anything for two years is bush.
Armaments216
A Brad in the Hand is worth 2 years with any of these birds in the bush.
VonPurpleHayes
Phillies will sign Hand only for him to injure himself in spring training, or take a line drive to the testicles. Both of these things happened to Phillies relievers last season.
Mrtwotone
Or pull a David Robertson
philsphan1979
Phillies BETTER get their guy! All this talk a few years ago, wanting to trade Franco, and a bunch of guys to SD for him…Now he’s a Free agent and their not even making an attempt? He is what Philly needs right now MORE than REALMUTO
kreckert
Maybe we should get together and send Middleton a crowbar so he can get his wallet open. Just a thought.
andremets
A lefty reliever is more important than the best catcher in baseball?
Evan Siggson
I still don’t understand why every team passed on Hand in waivers.
Mrtwotone
It still blows my mind considering the braves signed will Smith for 3yrs 40 million
Prospectnvstr
The Braves overpaid for Will Smith. Take a look at how many relief pitchers are still out there. Most, not all, of them are 1-1.2 innings per outing. How many MILLIONS of dollars is it really worth paying these guys? I’m not saying to pay them league minimum by any stretch but if a top 10 RP is “worth” any more than $10,000,000.00 per yr for the lack of work (innings pitched) then practically every #3 starter should be paid at least that.
Spike 13
Because they want the players to sweat a bit and sign 1yr deals for short money. We’re a month away from ST and the clubs have the players right where they want them.
Mrtwotone
The braves need to throw 2yr 16 million at him with an option or a 2 million dollar buy out
tjmacari
I heard the A’s need a closer…
solaris602
And they’re actively in the market for one that won’t cost them anything
padam
Mets – 2/17.5M.
Bill M
That’s about what I was thinking. 2 years / 17-18 million should do it for the Mets, or any other interested team
Frahm_
Hendriks really isn’t much better than him not sure why their value is so different
Rangers29
Stats might not seem too different, but it’s because Hand has had a drastic velo drop recently while Hendriks is still pumping electric stuff by hitters.
CNichols
Yeah it has to be the velo drop. Teams are paying for future performance and they think Hendriks is better positioned for it since he’s seemingly at the top of his game right now.
Although if my choices were Hand 2Y/$18M or Hendriks 4Y/$54M (ignoring the weird option for simplicity’s sake), then I’m taking Hand every time because the guaranteed money is 3x less and the gap between them isn’t big enough to account for that.
Cosmo2
“Today’s teams are much more concerned with what they project a player will do over the life of his contract than what the player has done leading up to said contract.” Amen. As it should be. Now if someone could just explain this to half the fans out there. Let’s start with those clamoring for their team to sign LaMahieu, trade for Arenado, or toss 300 million dollars contracts at every under 30 free agent superstar.
hawkvet
Two years at $15M and that’s my final offer
MoneyBallJustWorks
blue jays 2 year 18 million
jvent
If the Mets can’t get Springer and Hand I’ll be satisfied with JBJ/Pederson,Hand and Kluber.
rct
You’ve got Hand in there twice, fyi
Spike 13
Put your hands together
king beas
Mets should’ve just claimed him they need him so bad with no left handed options in the pen unless matz gets moved to the pen full time
Bill M
If (when) Matz gets moved to the pen full time, they still will have no left handed options. The best option for him is a minor league option
BartoloHRball
The Mets hadn’t yet transitioned ownership, so the Coupons/Wilpons were still in control and they didn’t want to spend $10m/1yr on Hand. A couple/few weeks later Steve Cohen took over and hired Sandy. Both Steve and Sandy wanted Hand, but they weren’t in control, so the Mets under Wilpon control let Hand pass through waivers.
angt222
Mets should give him $16M for 2 yrs. They need a reliable back end LHP
Dan Hunter
Springer over Hand
They are set with relievers.
VonPurpleHayes
It’s interesting to me how many Mets fans want more relievers. I think it’s still trauma from 2019, or just greed now that they have money to spend, but the Mets bullpen is real solid already. Any further adds should be in CF and 3B, both for defensive reasons.
BrianInWI
Only lefties in Mets bullpen are Daniel Zamora and (maybe) Steven Matz. I wouldn’t trust either one. They need a quality lefthander.
Cap & Crunch
Totally agree Von, not an area of concern but if value presents itself you can still pounce –
Id just re-sign J Wilson, he seems to have found a home out there
CF SP JWilson with the last 20 mill which leaves a little cushion for deadline deals
BrianInWI
Works for me. Pillar, Tanaka, JWilson?
rct
@Von: It’s trauma, but not just from 2019. It dates back to (at least) Armando Benitez, Bradon Looper, etc.
Deleted Userrr
Idk. Literally all 30 teams could have had Brad Hand for 1/$10m a few weeks ago and they all took a hard pass. I have all the same concerns I had then and maybe a bit more.
lolzmets
Maybe you should post your tired narrative about the Realmuto trade for like the 500th time.
tom brunanskys black sock
Do you offer anything here besides just sadly picking fights with people who barely acknowledge your presence?
WeeWoo
@tom nah fam. He also corrects people’s grammar.
Deleted Userrr
I’d challenge you to a battle of wits but I see you’re unarmed
padreforlife
Problem with Brad Hand is that he’s a dumpster fire in clutch
Rsox
Hendricks coming off the market basically leaves Hand, Alex Colome, Kirby Yates and Trevor Rosenthal as the closer market in free agency. I would like to see any one of them closing games for the Red Sox next season
tom brunanskys black sock
Lol imagine thinking a closer makes a difference when you have a .500 team. Let D Hernandez close.
Rsox
If a Closer makes no difference then what did the White Sox just pay $54 million for?
bobtillman
Eckersely’s closing for the Sox this year. Very versatile; broadcast 7 innings, get dressed, pitch the 9th…..it works. ….
Shoeless Joe
I really think the Mets should give HAND a JOB
Spike 13
Cleveland handed Hand to both league’s. No one forced their hand or raised their hand. They sat on their hands because their hands were tied. Hand never had a hand in it. Now teams are scrambling to sign Hand. Let’s give em all a hand.
bobtillman
But what is the sound of one Hand with the clap?
tom brunanskys black sock
Avoid the clap – Jimmy Duggan
WeeWoo
Jim Abbott approves this message.
PutPeteRoseInTheHall
Why didn’t anyone claim him? Did I miss something? Last I checked he was pretty solid from San Diego on, but I don’t pay attention to the Indians so I could be wrong
CNichols
Two main reasons:
1. Velocity drop. In 2018 when he was with the Padres he was averaging 94.1 mph on his fastball and last year he averaged 91.8 mph, so for someone who is going to be 31 years old this year, they see that as the beginning of his decline.
2. Teams are cheap. Besides the aforementioned Padres no one is really spending big this year and if someone claimed Hand it meant adding $10M to payroll. I assume whoever gets him it will be on a two year deal with a lower AAV than that.
LordD99
I suspect the velocity drop was of minor concern since it’s a one-year claim and he’s effective. More likely it had to do with when he was released as teams were dealing with their 40 man roster and, more importantly, they themselves were trying to figure out how the offseason was going to play out. They gambled he might go cheaper. Now, he likely signs for more than one year. Maybe his AAV is lower than $10M—maybe—but I suspect some teams if they could have a do over now would claim him.
CNichols
I totally agree, if teams had a do over now it would make sense for a lot more of them to claim him. Especially seeing how Treinen and Hendriks have done so far in free agency. I don’t know what the White Sox situation was with their 40 man and budget projections, but hindsight 20/20 Hand at 1Y/$10M seems like a better position to be in than Hendriks 4Y/$54M so theoretically they should have jumped on it, along with the Mets and some others.
I don’t see him getting an AAV over 10M. His situation is a little different, but with some of the better non-tenders like Dahl, Schwarber etc… they usually end up with right around what they were going to get before being let go. Dahl was projected at like $2.7M and then signed for that with Texas, Schwarber projected at $7M and then signs for that much with Washington (although admittedly he has more guaranteed because of a buyout). So ultimately with Hand I just don’t see him getting more than the 10M he was going to get anyways.
Yep it is
Same article on Hand today. Oh I forgot it’s the Mets. Coming up at 8:00 what Hand had for dinner while contemplating the METS
Bill M
Finger food, I assume
niedenfuer92
Why the Twins haven’t signed him is beyond me. He wants to come to MN, would be a tremendous boost for a bullpen that lost Trevor May, Hand is probably even an upgrade.
Twodogs
Yeah hopefully the Twins get something more than Robles. Hand would be a nice fit since he’s from Minnesota and a lot of players don’t really want to go there. But Rosenthal would be cool.
Vince Camp
As an Indian fan I’m grateful to Hand for giving us a couple of good years. However when we needed him most in game 2 against the yanks he took the pipe big time. He certainly is worth a look see,but a two year deal for 15mil at age 31? I know I cheer for a cheap ownership,but that’s too much for a guy like Hand.Not everyone can be Mariano Rivera,but this guy has got a few kinks in his armor. It’s your money,but I’m glad he’s not in Cleveland anymore.
JohnInSouthJersey
Hi Brian,
No hate man, but I’m sure glad you’re not the Mets GM. 🙂
Dom is not a “spare part.” He’s a Top 3 hitter on the team; young, favorably contracted, and an original Met.
I know, no one is untradeable, but it would have to be really special. That trade proposal is not. Dom is special. 🙂