Right-hander Dan Straily turned down a contract offer from the KBO League’s Lotte Giants for a third season in South Korea, as SportsGrid’s Craig Mish (via Twitter) reports that Straily is looking to return to the majors next season. Straily is a veteran of eight big league seasons, last appearing in North American baseball as a member of the Orioles in 2019.
Among the many topics discussed in his chat with MLBTR readers on December 14, Straily noted that he was “always looking to play in MLB. Anyone who puts on a uniform has the dream of pitching in MLB,” adding that “I have said since day one that I want to finish my career in the MLB where my son can watch me pitch.” Given the lockout, Straily said that “time will tell” about whether or not he might ultimately land back in the bigs in 2022. This marks the second straight offseason of uncertainty surrounding Straily’s plans, as he said he re-signed with the Giants last winter since “we didn’t know what the [Major League] season was going to look like with Covid, and Lotte came in with a really strong offer.”
This year, however, Straily will test free agency on the heels of two solid seasons in the KBO League. The righty posted a 3.22 ERA and 24.75% strikeout rate over 360 1/3 innings with the Busan-based Giants, and perhaps the most intriguing statistic is the fact that Straily allowed a modest 22 homers in the hitter-friendly KBO. That represents a strong improvement for a flyball pitcher like Straily, especially since issues with the home run ball led to his disastrous season in Baltimore.
Straily also allowed 22 home runs during his time with the Orioles, except that total came over only 47 2/3 innings, resulting in an ugly 9.82 ERA in 2019. A move to the bullpen didn’t help Straily get on track, and while the Phillies acquired Straily at that year’s trade deadline, he didn’t see any big league action in Philadelphia. Injuries contributed to that down year, as Straily mentioned in the reader chat that he only discovered after the season that he had been pitching with a torn meniscus.
The struggles in 2019 stood out given how solidly the righty performed with the Reds and Marlins from 2016-18 (4.03 ERA, if a 4.64 SIERA). Since Straily isn’t a big strikeout pitcher and generally allows so many flyballs, it was perhaps inevitable that his eight MLB seasons featured plenty of variance in performance. At his best, Straily has shown himself to be a durable starter who can provide quality innings if he can just keep the ball in the park.
Seems like a Cubs type signing. They are all about those low-risk, high-reward type pitchers. (Except Stroman)
Don’t think so. I’d they sign another starter, it won’t be another soft tossing, pitch to contact type. They have enough of those already. Will look more for a velocity guy to keep opposing teams on there toes a bit
Chicago has too many holes, no depth and money to burn. They will not be competitive in 2022 even with an expanded playoffs. Absolutely they will be in on any pitching they can flip at the deadline.
I really think this article is great. I participated in the chat but I don’t think I had a question answered that time. It doesn’t matter. He announced this in this website and I think this is the exact way MLBTR should be headed. Bigger names would be great but that’s not always possible. Watching Straily talk even makes me wish my team would give him a shot. Keep it up Mr. Dierkes. This route is the best for players, fans and MLBTR. Let all the current or former players hop on for chats. Even some MiLB guys. Can you imagine if you had Franco a year ago? Always look out for high profile guys and don’t restrict it but all the players chats are great.
Goofy Dan isn’t a high reward signing.
It’s low risk but your reward is a #5 starter if everything clicks and he doesn’t give up a million home runs
Fun fact: the Cubs already traded him in 2015 for Dexter Fowler.
Phillies SP5
Every team in mlb could use a SP like him. All depends on where he wants to go essentially
I’m thinking he goes to the highest bidder that offers him a rotation spot. Every team would be happy to have him I’m sure, but not at the price he ultimately signs for
Not sure where the A’s rotation will be – but would be fairly secure to think neither Bassitt nor Manaea will reach FA with the A’s. Dan Straily would be the sort of innings burner we’ll need if the doomsday scenario comes to fruition.
Got to see him pitch in the ALDS in Detroit in 2013 so it’s a done deal.
But yeah – fly ball pitcher in a pitcher friendly canyon? Mike Fiers has been similarly passable. And made a few unsubstantiated comments, apparently.
Merry Christmas to you filthy animals! That’s all.
He should be able to find a major league deal with some club. Probably an incentive based contract with innings pitched (if he’s a starter) or total appearances if he’s signed as a reliever. I hope he does well in his comeback bid!
Has the feeling of a guy the Giants could coax 15-20 wins out of.
Hope he can bounce back. I’m an Orioles fan and man it was rough watching him take the hill and I mean rough even in comparison to the rest of the staff. Hope he fixed some stuff and gets a little run.
So will BIG SEXY get some interest if he does a MLBTR chat???????
I hope so
The Rangers have experienced past success bringing overseas pitchers back home … Colby Lewis at the top of the list. Straily and Texas would be a perfect fit, as he could potentially slot in as the #3/#4 in the rotation in what is now a pitcher’s park, while hopefully passing along some veteran savvy to the youngins (Otto, Howard, Alexy, Allard, etc.)
A 5.05 FIP? Would not sign him
Steely Dan!
I still can’t believe he allowed 22 homers in 47.1 innings in 2019. Utterly insane.
Camden Yards moment
Not interested, walked too many batters last year and pitched way fewer innings per start compared to 2020.
I bet the Cardinals are all over this guy
The Marlins could move the fences back 50 feet and take a flier on him
Maybe Seattle could luck out again like they did with Flexen last season
Flexen had shown considerable improvement in the KBO, particularly after coming off the IL mid season. He was alright before the injured list stint, but was arguably the best pitcher in the KBO afterwards and carried it into the postseason. Straily slumped horribly in 2021 when compared to his 2020: fewer strikeouts per nine innings, more walks, hits allowed, home runs allowed, an inning less a start on average. Not worthy of such a gamble. I would have said he was after the 2020 season though.
i tend to feel the KBO re-juiced the ball after an overcorrection in de-juicing before. ERAs seemed to be up overall.
One of the best trades the Reds pulled off getting Luis Castillo for him.
Thoughts and prayers for a speedy return to the majors.
Is this Gausman’s replacement? LOL
This seems like a Minnesota Twins signing. Replace both Berrios and Maeda with a formerly good pitcher on the cheap, and wonder what went wrong later on.
Twins should talk to him