Cleveland Indians: What does the Hunter signing mean for the bullpen?

Did the Cleveland Indians not have enough pitchers as it was before signing Tommy Hunter to a $2 million deal for 2016? They did, but what do I know?

Before the Cleveland Indians added Tommy Hunter to a one-year, $2 million deal, the bullpen looked to have more than enough options to assemble as another formidable group on 2016. So does the Hunter signing hurt or help the bullpen? Hunter is coming off surgery for a core muscle injury and will already miss most of April as it is. 

Although a starter while in his time with the Texas Rangers, Hunter has made his money with the Orioles and Cubs as a late-inning reliever–even filling in as the closer in Baltimore on a few occasions (11 saves in 2014, but also six blown saves). The Chicago Cubs acquired him at the break for prospect Junior Lake–a once promising talent that no longer fit into the Cubs plans–in hopes that he could help strengthen the middle of the bullpen.

He failed to pitch as well as he had in Baltimore, allowing 10 runs in 15 2/3 innings with the Cubs in 19 appearances. Once thought as a possible safety net for closer Hector Rondon who was struggling at the time, Hunter suffered the core injury in his time with the Cubs and was no assistance to them as he didn’t pitch at all during the postseason.

So after being traded for a “has been that once was”, has Hunter fallen in the same line as Lake? First, while $2 million may not seem like much in the overall picture–the Indians paid entirely too much for a guy that won’t pitch until after April–and how well after that is to be seen. I think they have better options in their long list of invitees, including Craig Stammen and Joba Chamberlain.

Maybe Hunter simply needs a small adjustment like the one Jeff Manship made last season, and he’ll be ready to take off in 2016. But under the current financial constraints, that $2 mil wasn’t going to make a difference in signing anyone else of any value before the start of the season.

More guardians: Stammen added to stable of options for Indians' pen

It’s possible Hunter could kickstart his career again in the same fashion–but I wouldn’t be holding your breath on that one. Let’s just hope if the signing is a bust that the Tribe doesn’t drag it out any longer than they have to.