Former Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates, Tampa Bay Rays' Pitcher is in High Demand This Offseason
Eight-year Major League veteran Robert Stephenson is reportedly in high demand this offseason.
Per Jon Morosi of MLB.com:
RHP Robert Stephenson has been one of the most popular free-agent relievers this offseason, sources say.
Stephenson, who had a 0.678 WHIP over 42 appearances with the Rays this year, is drawing interest from the Dodgers, Cubs, and Angels, among other teams.
Stephenson started his career in 2016 with the Reds, staying there until partway through the 2022 season. With Cincinnati, he served mostly as a reliever, but he did start 11 games that season.
In 2022, he finished up the year with Pittsburgh, staying there partway through 2023, when he finished with Tampa Bay, putting up the numbers that Morosi referenced.
Overall in 2023, he went 3-4 with a 3.10 ERA over 60 games, but he just a 2.35 ERA with Tampa in those 42 games. He was a big part of a Rays team that won 99 games and finished second in the loaded American League East.
Lifetime, he's 17-20 with a 4.64 ERA. He has served exclusively as a reliever since that 2017 season. At 30 years old, he has plenty left in the tank and can be an asset to any team that needs help in the bullpen.
He struck out a whopping 77 batters in 52.1 innings in 2023. Lifetime, he's struck out 406 batters in 364.1 innings, proving he has the kind of swing-and-miss stuff that front office executives salivate over.
MLBTradeRumors projected him to get a four-year, $36 million deal.
Follow Fastball on FanNation on social media
Continue to follow our Fastball on FanNation coverage on social media by LIKING us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.
You can also subscribe to "The Payoff Pitch" podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
