1:57pm: Festa certainly had an opt-out alternative in his minor league deal tomorrow, per Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning Information. It appears doubtless the Guardians will carry him to the massive leagues quickly, although the staff has not but introduced as a lot.
9:35am: The Guardians introduced Wednesday that they’ve acquired right-hander Matt Festa from the Rangers in trade for money. Festa isn’t on the 40-man roster for the time being, though given the timing of the transfer, it’s honest to wonder if this commerce was prompted by an opt-out or upward mobility clause in his minor league take care of Texas. If that’s the case, he’ll doubtless be chosen to the most important league roster within the subsequent day or two.
Festa, 32, has pitched in components of 5 large league seasons between the Mariners, Mets and Rangers. He carries a profession 4.60 ERA in 117 1/3 MLB frames, throughout which he’s punched out one-quarter of his opponents and issued walks at a ten.3% clip. Festa has proven promise at instances, most notably with the 2022 Mariners, however he’s but to seek out consistency within the majors. Accidents have performed a notable position, significantly a 2020 Tommy John process that worn out his complete season and sidelined him for many of the 2021 marketing campaign as effectively.
Getting into the 2024-25 offseason, Festa was on the Rangers’ 40-man roster. He misplaced his spot when Texas signed Chris Martin. The Cubs picked him up in trade for money following that DFA. Chicago in the end designated Festa for project as effectively, after which he cleared waivers, elected free company and returned to the Rangers on a minor league deal.
Festa is now Cleveland-bound and can head to the Guards on the heels of a dominant displaying in Triple-A. The correct-hander has rattled off 14 2/3 shutout innings, placing out 32.3% of his opponents in opposition to an 11.3% stroll fee. Festa has stored the ball on the bottom at a hearty 47.1% clip and accomplished a terrific job avoiding onerous contact (85.9 mph common exit velocity, 23.5% hard-hit fee). He hasn’t made any large modifications to his arsenal or seen a noticeable change in velocity, however the outcomes are spectacular nonetheless.
Cleveland’s bullpen has been stable however lower than its traditional degree of excellence. Guardians relievers have mixed for a 3.72 ERA, and that features three tough innings from place gamers Austin Hedges and Will Wilson in mop-up work. Nonetheless, former All-Stars Emmanuel Clase and Paul Sewald have each struggled, with every sporting an earned run common north of 6.00.
High quality contributions from Cade Smith, Joey Cantillo, Hunter Gaddis, Tim Herrin and Jakob Junis have helped to offset these troubles, and Festa might quickly get a crack at chipping in himself. The Guardians presently have veterans Vince Velasquez and Kolby Allard within the bullpen, each of whom signed minor league offers. Neither will be optioned to Triple-A, however their presence speaks to the unsettled nature of Cleveland’s remaining couple bullpen spots.
