Jon

Niese

Niese has not appeared in an MLB game since 2016. He was released by the Mariners after the 33-year-old posted a 5.12 ERA with Triple-A Tacoma in July.

Niese posted a 5.12 ERA at Triple-A Tacoma after inking a minor league deal with the Mariners just after the season started. The lefty hasn’t appeared in the majors since 2016.

Niese had been pitching with the independent league Long Island Ducks. The left-hander is now 32 and hasn’t appeared in the majors since 2016. He’ll be assigned to Triple-A Tacoma.

Niese was released from Rangers camp on March 16, a day after being diagnosed with a strained left shoulder. Once he gets back to full health, the 32-year-old southpaw will presumably work as a starter for Long Island. Niese last appeared in a game at the major league level back in August 2016.

The deal buys out all three of his arbitration seasons and his first year of free agency. As mentioned over the weekend, the deal is similar in nature to Derek Holland’s recent five-year, $28.5 million extension with the Rangers. According to Rubin, the deal also includes two club options which could push the total value to $52 million.

Niese struck out four while allowing eight baserunners. The Mets bullpen managed to allow eight runs in the three innings after Niese’s departure. Now the owner of a 3.40 ERA and 1.24 WHIP, Niese will bring a 33/16 K/BB ratio into his Friday start in Toronto.

Niese’s FIPs are nice, but he’s gone year after year, dating back to his days in the minors, giving up more hits than expected. Those expecting a breakout are likely to be disappointed.

The deal is expected to be comparable to the five-year, $28.5 million contract that the Rangers gave 25-year-old southpaw Derek Holland this spring. Niese, who’s also 25, had a solid season in 2011, posting a 3.36 FIP and 3.28 xFIP. Though his actual ERA checked in at 4.40, he could be primed to take a step forward this season.

Niese is under team control for another four seasons, but New York opted for cost certainty while Niese takes financial security. Niese’s deal, according to Rubin, will be comparable to the five-year, $28.5 million deal that Derek Holland signed with the Rangers in March. Holland’s deal included two team options. Both pitchers would have been eligible for free agency after the 2015 season. The 25-year-old left-hander registered a 4.40 ERA and 138/44 K/BB rate over 157 1/3 innings last season, winning a career-high 11 games.

He gave up four hits and struck out five. The southpaw struggled with his control, walking four and throwing just 57 out of 101 pitches for strikes. Niese still owns a solid 4.01 ERA and 29/13 K/BB ratio over 33 2/3 innings this season, but he is winless over his last four starts. He’ll face the Marlins this weekend.