The Washington Nationals agreed to a minor league deal with free-agent relief pitcher Jeremy Jeffress on Monday that includes an invite to spring training, according to a source. Jeffress would earn $1.25 million with another potential $1.25 million in performance bonuses if he makes the team's big-league roster. The 33-year-old right-hander spent the 2020 season with the Chicago Cubs, posting a fantastic 1.54 ERA and 0.94 WHIP while striking out 17 and walking 12 in 23 1/3 relief innings. He also tallied eight saves. Jeffress was an All-Star in 2018 with the Milwaukee Brewers when he had a 1.29 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 15 saves, but he imploded in his last full season in 2019 (5.02 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with one save). The hard-throwing righty has the potential to win a setup job in Washington's bullpen, but with Brad Hand set to be the closer, Jeffress would have very minimal fantasy appeal.
In addition to free-agent relief pitcher Trevor Rosenthal, the New York Mets remain interested in 33-year-old free-agent reliever Jeremy Jeffress. Following a subpar 2019 season, the right-hander posted a 1.54 ERA, a 0.94 WHIP and 17:12 K:BB in 23 1/3 innings pitched for the Cubs in 2020. While Jeffress doesn't have the upside of Rosenthal, he still recorded 15 saves and 18 holds for the Brewers as recently as 2018 with a 1.29 ERA in 76 2/3 innings. With Seth Lugo (elbow) shut down for six weeks, the Mets are in need of another reliever. Jeffress could be a fallback option for the Mets if they fail to land Rosenthal. Since Trevor May will serve as the primary setup man to closerEdwin Diaz until Lugo returns, Jeffress would have limited fantasy value should the Mets sign him for the 2021 campaign.
Free-agent relief pitcher Jeremy Jeffress is generating a ton of interest despite a reliever market that remains crowded, according to sources. At least 10 teams have some level of interest in the right-hander, including the Blue Jays, Red Sox, Cubs, Astros, Dodgers, Mets, Phillies and Nationals. Jeffress has a sub-2.00 ERA and a sub-1.00 WHIP in two of the last three years, ranking fifth among relievers in ERA since the start of the 2018 season. He's also been very effective against both right-handed and left-handed hitters since the start of 2018. The 33-year-old had a 5.02 ERA and 1.37 WHIP in 2019, but he had a low 5.7 K-BB percent last year with an xERA of 4.71. Jeffress remains off the fantasy radar for now, but he could be a sleeper for saves in deeper leagues if he lands in a situation where he could see save chances.
Chicago Cubs closer Jeremy Jeffress entered Tuesdays game with a 0.98 ERA, but he blew the save against the Indians. Jeffress allowed two walks and one hit, which was a two-run shot by Francisco Lindor to tie the game. Jeffress has been having a great season as the Cubs closer, and fantasy managers shouldnt be too worried since hes been reliable prior to Tuesday evening's blown save.
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Jeremy Jeffress picked up his fifth save of the season on Friday against the Cardinals. The Cubs bullpen has been a mess this season, but Jeffress has been the one bright spot. Jeffress seems to be the preferred option at the moment for manager David Ross and he should be own in all formats. His leash is also likely to be long with Craig Kimbrel having a disastrous season and Rowan Wick having a few bad appearances lately.
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Jeremy Jeffress picked up his third victory of the season on Tuesday against the Pirates. Jeffress has quietly put together a nice season after a rough 2019 campaign and has four saves and a 1.20 ERA . With Rowan Wick struggling of late and Craig Kimbrel struggling in high leverage situations, Jeffress looks to be the best option for saves for the Cubs. Owners chasing saves should take a look at the veteran.
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Jeremy Jeffress picked up his third save of the season on Sunday. Jeffress was a bit shaky in his outing and allowed a hit and two walks in 1 1/3 inning. Manager David Ross has yet to formally name a closer, but Jeffress and Rowan Wick appear to be his preferred options with Craig Kimbrel inching behind. All three are worthy of consideration until a closer is formally named, but there may be safer options available with less competition on the waiver wire.
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Jeremy Jeffress picked up his second save of the season in the second game of a doubleheader on Monday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Rowan Wick who had seen the last couple of Cubs saves pitched in Game 1 and Jeffress answered the call in Game 2. Craig Kimbrel came into the season as the Cubs closer, but struggled early on and Wick and Jeffress have been had save opportunities in the meantime. Kimbrel has thrown two scoreless inning in his last two appearances and could find his way back in the closer role, but for now it looks like Rowan Wick is the manager David Rosss preferred option with Jeffress as the next man up. Jeffress and Wick are both worth owning while the Cubs figure out their bullpen.
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Jeremy Jeffress came in with one out and the bases loaded to retire two Cincinnati Reds and record his first save of the season Monday. Jeffress cleaned up Craig Kimbrels disastrous outing and it is likely that Jeffress would be the next man up if Kimbrel continues to struggle. Jeffress has closer experience from his time with the Brewers and fantasy owners should keep an eye on him as he can help with holds as well as the potential to get more saves.
The Chicago Cubs have agreed to a one-year contract with relief pitcher Jeremy Jeffress. Jeffress had a rough 5.02 ERA over 48 appearances last season while battling shoulder and hip issues. Jeffress was released in September and finished the season unemployed. Jeffress did have a sparkling in 1.29 ERA in 2018 and the Cubs are hoping that they will get that version of the righty in 2020. For fantasy purposes, Jeffress can be left on the waiver wire for now, but if Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel gets hurt or dealt, Jeffress could get save opportunities.
