Right-handed reliever Kyle Farnsworth has signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He will join the Indianapolis Indians in Triple-A. The 37-year-old struggled with the Tampa Bay Rays this season, posting a 5.76 ERA in 29.2 innings.
Over his three seasons pitching for the Rays, Farnsworth posted the following numbers:
- 3.54 ERA
- 3.52 FIP
- 50% ground ball rate
- 95 strikeouts
- 33 walks
- 114.1 innings
The Rays designated him for assignment and released him on August 9.
Farnsworth certainly qualifies as veteran relief that could provide serviceable innings in September as a tryout for the playoff roster. He has pitched in 15 career postseason games and has closed games as recently as 2011 in Tampa Bay. This season, Farnsworth has averaged 95 mph on his fourseam fastball, but relies more on his sinker (92.4 mph) and his cutter (86.6 mph), according to Brooks Baseball.
If he pitches for the Major League team, the Pirates would mark Farnsworth’s seventh franchise since he made the bigs in 1999. He has the third-most appearances of any active pitcher (849 games), trailing only Mariano Rivera and LaTroy Hawkins.
UPDATE 6:40 PM: Thoughts from Tim Williams on the deal…
Farnsworth has had some good numbers in the past, and he has great stuff. He’s not a bad flier to take for added depth. However, he’s performing poorly this year and getting up there in age. I wouldn’t be surprised if he ultimately ends up taking over a key bullpen role in Indianapolis after everyone gets promoted to Pittsburgh. The Indians will most likely get raided for Vic Black, Duke Welker, Ryan Reid, and probably a few starters. They’re also in line to make the playoffs. I think it’s more likely that Farnsworth takes over in Triple-A for their playoff run, replacing all of the guys who will be called up to help the Pirates for their playoff run.
Hes the best if the team gets into a brawl but other then that I think his career is just about over.
If he’s still sitting 92-95 his career is not over. As Alley2Maz pointed out, Searage has the magic touch. Keep in mind this is a guy that had 25 saves with the Rays just 2 seasons ago.
I think he’s definitely a safer gamble than Jose Contreras was anyway. How old was he, 42?
I believe this is something for 2014.
We will spot him in AAA this month and then he can go up in September and Yoda will take a look and see if he can become ABUCRELIEVER,
If he can he will be with us.
Our pitching scouts know there stuff and Searage is the master.
I’d be careful here if I were NH. Hurdle is obsessed with veteran relievers like Qualls or Takahashi last season or Contreras this season. He better look good before a call up because he will go right in the 8th inning when he’s here.
How could he be on a playoff roster if he were not up before September?
Interesting….I assume he will be 9/1 call up