Trevor Richards DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

According to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com, the Chicago Cubs are inviting right-handed pitcher Trevor Richards to spring training. The 31-year-old inked a minor-league deal with the Cubs earlier in the offseason and has officially received his invite to the big-league camp. Last season, Richards logged 65 1/3 innings with the Minnesota Twins. He was typically deployed out of the bullpen but did make two starts. He posted a 4.55 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP. He struck out batters at a modest 22.4 percent rate and struggled to command his pitches as he posted a hefty 12.4 percent walk rate. However, he did generate a strong 3.62 xERA, which suggests he could see some positive regression with the Cubs. Fantasy managers should expect Richards to compete for a bullpen job during spring training and carry minimal fantasy value.

According to Aram Leighton of Just BB Media, the Chicago Cubs have signed right-handed pitcher Trevor Richards to a minor-league deal. Richards logged 65 1/3 innings at the major league level across stints with the Toronto Blue Jays and the Minnesota Twins. He posted a 4.55 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP and was deployed primarily out of the bullpen. He struck out batters at a low 22.4% K rate and struggled with his command as he held a hefty 12.6% walk rate. However, he generated a 3.62 xERA and a 2.05 xBA, both above the average marks. During the 2023 season, Richards posted a similar 4.95 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP through 72 2/3 innings. However, that season, he struck out batters at an impressive 33.3% rate. Richards will likely compete for a spot in the bullpen during spring training.

The Minnesota Twins are acquiring right-handed reliever Trevor Richards from the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday, according to sources. It's unclear what the return is for Richards. It's a minor move for bullpen depth for Minnesota as they look to stay in the American League wild-card race down the stretch. Richards has gone 2-1 this year in Toronto with a 4.64 ERA (4.40 FIP) and a 1.15 WHIP with 49 strikeouts and 24 walks in 52 1/3 innings pitched over 45 appearances (two starts). The 31-year-old has essentially been an innings-eater out of the bullpen for the Blue Jays the last two years. Richards has seen his strikeout rate drop from over 30% last year to 22.5% this year while continuing to walk a hefty amount of hitters. Richards is only attractive in fantasy in deep holds leagues.