Chicago Cubs: Possible free agent southpaw reliever options

Chicago Cubs: Tony Sipp is a guy that is somewhat a gamble, but probably would not be very costly.

35-year old Tony Sipp has had an odd career. He has had some lights-out seasons and some in which he has struggled mightily. Sipp has been in the majors since 2009, pitching with the Astros, Diamondbacks and Indians, and has a career 3.67 ERA, 4.32 FIP, 1.24 WHIP, 4.0 BB/9 and 9.6 K/9 in 482 2/3 innings.

Since joining the Astros in 2014, he has had three seasons with a sub-3.00 FIP (2014, 2015, 2016), two of which he featured a sub-2.00 ERA (2015, 2018). Also worth noting he has not given up a run in nine Astros postseason appearances. However, his other two seasons in Houston (2016-2017) he had a FIP of over five in each, equaling a cumulative 5.74 FIP, 5.33 ERA and 1.51 WHIP in those two years. Cannot fail to mention the BB/9 rates of nearly four in those seasons. One thing he has kept relatively consistent is the strikeouts as he is typically in the 9.0-11.0 K/9 range.

Last year alone, Sipp put up a career-low 2.41 FIP with a 1.86 ERA, 1.034 WHIP, 3.0 BB and 9.8 K/9 in 38 2/3 innings. One may wonder if he can carry that into 2019, especially with his inconsistency. He would be a gamble, but likely a cheaper one and one that can pay off nicely if all goes well. Even if there is some regression from last year (there likely will be at least some), he could still provide value if all does indeed go well.