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How this works
Every other day, from now through to Christmas, we'll open up discussion on a particular player who made a meaningful contribution to the 2014 Diamondbacks. [I've drawn the line at 125 PA or 20 innings] There will be two sections. Firstly, a poll where you rate them from 5 ("Highly satisfied") down to 1 ("Very dissatisfied"): it's entirely up to you what criteria you use for the number. Secondly, the comments below, where you can talk about the reasons for your vote, etc. Things to discuss include, but are not limited to:
- Pre-season expectations
- 2014 performance: strengths and weaknesses, etc.
- Health and other mitigating factors
- How they'll help the team in 2015, their role, etc.
Three days down the line, we'll collate the votes, calculate a final average score, and write up the consensus of SnakePit thought into an appraisal. Here is a quick overview of today's candidate for your consideration.
Additional bonus! Going forward. we'll also have a "Comment of the Thread" for the appraisal, so please rec the comments you find insightful, funny, or whatever.
Addison Reed - RHP
- DOB: 12/27/1988
- 2014 salary: $538,500
- 2014 performance: 62 G, 59.1 IP, 69:15 K:BB, 4.25 ERA, 1-7 record, 32 Saves, 6 Blown Save, 84.2% Save rate, 89 ERA+
- 2014 value: -0.5 bWAR, 0.0 fWAR
Addison Reed was acquired in a hotly debated trade from the Chicago White Sox during the 2013-14 off season that sent third base prospect Matt Davidson to Chicago. Reed was acquired to pair with J.J. Putz at the back of the bullpen. While there was some speculation that the two would compete for the job of team closer, performance and injury issues made it a non-competition and Reed broke Spring Training as the team's closer. Once the season began, Reed came out of the gates with a very rocky start and never really found his stride. While compiling a fairly decent number of saves, he also blew a fair number, resulting in a good, but not impressive conversion rate for a player acquired to be the team's closer of the future. Surrendering 11 HR in his limited work, while compiling a 1.213 WHIP, Reed was the very model of inconsistency. Reed also suffered from another decline in his velocity, raising concerns in some circles with regard to his future. 2015 sees Reed entering Arbitration for the first time, a process known for grossly rewarding the raw save statistic. At age 25, with three seasons and a cup of coffee, Reed has compiled 101 saves. This high number, combined with his rather mundane peripherals have estimates for his first-year arbitration salary ranging anywhere from $3.25 million all the way up to $6.5 million. Regardless of which estimate is closer to the eventual reality, the increase is going to be a very substantial one, especially given the rather embarrassing number of closer candidates the team already has.