I wrote earlier about the Ryan Hanigan, Heath Bell three-way trade which sent Rays Single-A pitcher, Justin Choate, to the Diamondbacks. I’d like to delve a bit closer into Hanigan and Bell.
Though the Rays signed Jose Molina to a two-year deal this offseason, Hanigan is expected to be the primary starter. In a tweet from Marc Topkin, Andrew Friedman said Hanigan will be key part of lineup, especially against left handed pitchers. Hanigan slashed .198 BA/.306 OBP/.261 SLG/.567 OPS with eight doubles and two homers last season in 260 plate appearances — a huge step down from his usual production. In the previous four seasons combined, Hanigan posted a .275 BA/.370 OBP/.359 SLG/.729 OPS slash line. If last season was an injury filled anomaly for the 33 year-old catcher, it’s easy to see where the upside is, especially given his high OBP. As Allie Kranick of DRaysBay notes,
Offensively, he’s one of those rare birds who actually walks more than he strikes out, and while he has certainly felt an OBP benefit from batting in front of the pitcher’s spot in the order for most of his career, he’s actually managed a better career OBP in the 7 spot in the order (.400) than in the 8 spot (.349). His .382 OBP over more than 2200 minor league PA also helps support this, since he wasn’t hitting in front of a pitcher during that time. For his career, he’s got the 2nd highest OBP of any catcher in Reds history (min. 1500 PAs), and getting on base is certainly his calling card considering he doesn’t get much power on his fly balls.
Another bonus for Hanigan are his skills behind the plate. He’s been lauded by many for his ability to call games. That aside, Hanigan carries a sterling reputation as a defensive catcher, routinely throwing out would-be base stealers at a rate much higher than league average (48% in 2012, 45% in 2013). He’s led the majors in each of the past two seasons in the percentage of runners he’s thrown out attempting to steal.
Bell, 36, will pitch for the third team during a three-year deal he originally signed with the Marlins in 2011. He had 15 saves and seven blown saves last season with a 4.11 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 72 strikeouts in 65-2/3 innings last season for Arizona. He had the closer job at one point but lost it. And yes, this makes Bell sound like a washed up hack. On the contrary, though he was plagued by the long-ball in 2013 (attributed to a lack of curve ball command), Bell rebounded nicely in Arizona, posting the best K/BB ratio since he broke into the league in 2004. “While Bell has only allowed a well-below average HR/FB of 8.9% over his career,” writes Ian Malonowski of DRaysBay, “It grew to a nasty 18.5% in 2013. That meant that despite posting one of the worst FIPs of his career (4.10), Bell posted the his best xFIP since 2010 (3.08).”
Yes, Bell gave up 12 home runs in 65-2/3 innings pitched. However, when you consider that he allowed only 65 fly balls in 2013, it’s a bit naive to look at that 18.5% HR/FB ratio and project it to continue. How will Bell be used? It could be assumed that Bell is now the defacto closer, but Andrew Friedman hasn’t committed him to that role just yet. Bell, who was quoted as saying he is hoping to come in and win the job, will have to earn that spot in Spring Training.
Noteworthiness
- Contrary to earlier reports, Jose Lobaton is still a Ray — at least for the time being. Andrew Friedman went as far as to say the catching situation will sort itself out. It’s not ideal, but the Rays could go into Spring Training with all three catchers. Friedman went on to say, “It’s not against the rules to have three quality major league catchers, although maybe in the past with us it’s looked like it.”
- “Heath Bell is also a guy that we’ve liked for quite a while,” Friedman said. “He’s still got really good stuff. He missed a lot of bats this year, commanded the zone better than in years past, just a lot of good indicators that we feel can put him in a position to come here and have a lot of success.” Andrew Friedman on newly acquired reliever, Heath Bell.
- “Ryan Hanigan is a tremendously talented defensive catcher,” said Andrew Friedman, Rays executive vice president of baseball operations. “[He] really shuts down the run game, [and] takes a lot of pride in what he does behind the plate. And we also like what he can do in the batter’s box, especially against left-handed pitching. He’s a guy we’ve had our eye on for a while, and so when we had the opportunity to acquire him, we were aggressive to do so.” Andrew Friedman on newly acquired catcher, Ryan Hanigan