Nationals Sign LHP Tony Sipp to a One-Year Deal
The Washington Nationals have reached an agreement with 35-year-old left-handed pitcher Tony Sipp, according to Jon Heyman. After the Washington Nationals released Sammy Solis on Saturday, March 9, they needed a left-handed replacement.
Sipp joins reliever Matt Grace and closer Sean Doolittle as the only southpaws in the Nationals bullpen. His contract is for one year and is worth $1.25 million; there is a $250,000 buyout paired with an option for 2020.
Last year with the Houston Astros, Sipp put up a 1.86 ERA in 38 innings and is the matchup guru the Nets need (lefties averages .191 in 76 appearances against Sipp last year). A good lefty who can actually get out lefties, this has been a problem area for the ball club almost every season. Look for Sipp to be used quite situationally as well as strategically, just as he was with the Astros. Based off stats, it would be rare to see him in for more than a batter or two, but if skipper Dave Martinez has shown us anything it is that he will go against the grain.
The bullpen now holds: Kyle Barraclough, Trevor Rosenthal, Wander Suero, Matt Grace, Justin Miller, Sean Doolittle, and Sipp. As rumblings have it, the club may be looking into the services of free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel. With the Sipp move being low-cost in the pockets, I would not rule out interest in Kimbrel ramping up in the next few days or week to come.
