News today that the Reds have signed pitcher Burke Badenhop to one year deal. It’s his fourth straight one year contract following stints with the Rays, Brewers, and Red Sox. Badenhop tuns 32 on Sunday.
In 2014 Badenhop reached a 7-year career high for most appearances (70) with the Red Sox. He worked effectively to a club- and career-best 2.29 ERA over 70.2 innings pitched, during which time he allowed just one home run (a one out solo shot off the bat of Yankees Kelly Johnson on April 12). In 32 road games of 2014 Badenhop’s ERA was 0.92. Badenhop’s career best 1.5 WAR last season was third best for the Red Sox behind Jon Lester (2.7) and Koji Uehara (1.7).
Badenhop, who got off to a slow start by allowing 7 earned runs over 9.1 innings (6.75 ERA) April 4-18, hit a particularly rough patch when he allowed runs in 3 straight games from July 5-8. His ratio for strikeouts per 9 innings pitched in 2014 dropped to a career low of 5.1
Grantland’s Jonah Keri reports that Badenhop’s deal with the Reds is for $1 million this season with a $4 million club option or $1.5 million buyout for 2016.