Reds Sign Wade Miley

[CJD]

Daaamn. That's a good signing!
Reasonable price for a pitcher who had an incredible 2018 under our pitching coach (in Milwaukee) and then had a very good season in Houston, before a disastrous September.
2018: 16 GS 80.2 IP 71 H 28 R 23 ER 3 HR 27 BB 50 SO 5 W 2 L 1.5 WAR 1.21 WHIP 2.57 ERA
2019 March to August: 28 GS 156 IP 136 H 62 R 53 ER 21 HR 54 BB 134 SO 13 W 4 L ~2.0 WAR 1.22 WHIP 3.06 ERA
2019 September to October: 6 GS 14 IP 32 H 24 R 23 ER 3 HR 8 BB 7 SO 1 W 2 L ~ 0 WAR 2.86 WHIP 14.79 ERA

So his 2019 season, up to September, was pretty much in line with his 2018 season. Same WHIP, relatively close ERA, a better WAR (his total WAR for 2019 was 2.0. I'm not sure how it split between the two sections of 2019, but I think it's safe to say September brought his WAR down, so it must have been higher than 2.0 going into September), an improved K/9 and an improved K/BB.

I have no idea what happened in September but, even with his full 2019 line, he had two straight very impressive years. A switch must have been flipped during his season in Milwaukee and it'll be interesting to see how he plays for the Reds.

And the best thing is, if he does fall back into his previous self (relatively mediocre), then he'll only be on the team through 2021 and his salary isn't a killer. And even his worst season, 2017, was still not Homer Bailey level bad!
2017: 32 GS 157.1 IP 179 H 104 R 98 ER 25 HR 91 BB 142 SO 8 W 15 L -0.3 WAR 1.73 WHIP 5.61 ERA

A strong signing overall. Now we can use Mahle as a 6th starter in case of injuries, which is probably his best suited role. Maybe they should try him in the bullpen a little bit.