Jeremy

Jeffress

Jeffress didn’t pitch in 2021 after being released by the Nationals early in spring training due to what the club referred to only as “personnel reasons.” The 34-year-old wants to play again in 2022, though, and was clocked at 96 mph recently, per Murray. There’s sure to be interest in Jeffress, although he’ll probably have to take a minor league deal.

When asked Sunday morning, Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo stated, “He was released for personnel reasons.” The 33-year-old was only with the Nationals for about two weeks after signing a minor league deal last month. The right-hander finished 2020 with a 1.54 ERA and eight saves in 23.1 innings and was a finalist for the Natonal League Reliever of the Year Award.

The deal includes a $1.25 million salary if he makes the major league roster with an additional $1.25 million in possible performance incentives. It’s a bit surprising he had to settle for a minor league deal after posting a 1.54 ERA over 22 appearances with the Cubs last season, but the secondary numbers weren’t nearly as impressive. He had a shaky 17/12 K/BB ratio in 23 1/3 innings, with a continued dip in his swinging strike rate. Still, the Nationals can’t complain with this deal.

Feinsand names the Blue Jays, Red Sox, Cubs, Astros, Dodgers, Mets, Phillies and Nationals as possible landing spots. The 33-year-old Jeffress registered a 1.54 ERA and eight saves over 22 appearances with the Cubs in 2020, though his peripherals (17/12 K/BB ratio in 23 1/3 innings) weren’t nearly as impressive. Still, he figures to land a late-inning role somewhere.

Jeffress walked two, but he got a double play ball from Josh Donaldson and a strikeout of Eddie Rosario to end it. He has a 1.69 ERA through 21 1/3 innings, and both of his blown saves this year still turned into Cubs victories.

Jeffress was summoned to protect a two-run lead in the final frame and issued a lead-off walk to Josh Naylor before coughing up a game-tying dinger to Francisco Lindor. Those were the first runs he had allowed since August 19. He ended up getting credited with a win after the Cubs rallied for a walk-off victory in the home half of the frame. The 32-year-old righty figures to receive the majority of the save chances in Chicago moving forward. He owns a 1.86 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 12/10 K/BB ratio across 19 1/3 innings of work this season.

The Reds pushed across a couple of runs in the eighth inning to make it a three-run game, and with the top of the Cincinnati order due up in the ninth manager David Ross called on Jeffress. As he’s done all year, the right-hander answered the bell, working around a one-out single to finish off the Reds without incident. Jeffress now has seven saves and has worked in save opportunities in seven of his last eight outings. There’s no question he’s the guy at the back end of the Cubs’ bullpen at this point.

Jeffress worked around a one-out single by Brian Goodwin, requiring only 13 pitches to end the contest. The 32-year-old veteran righty has emerged as the Cubs’ best late-inning option and appears to be the favorite for saves over the remainder of the regular season. He owns a microscopic 1.06 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 12/8 K/BB ratio across 17 innings. He should already be rostered in all fantasy formats.

The Cubs preferred Rowan Wick to Jeffress as their Craig Kimbrel alternative early in the year, but they’ve grown much more confident in Jeffress since. As for Kimbrel, he definitely set back his cause with a blow up last Sunday against the Reds. He did bounce back with a scoreless inning Thursday, but he’ll probably need to do it again before he’ll be used in a close game.

Jeffress came in with one on and one out in the 10th and was able to get a double-play liner to preserve the tie for the Cubs. He then pitched a scoreless 11th with a one-run lead, stranding the opening runner on second. Jeffress has been a steal for the Cubs after signing an $850,000 deal over the winter; he’s allowed three runs -- two earned -- in 15 innings to date. He has three wins and four saves.