San Francisco Giants Sign ex-Rays Reliever Ryan Webb

Reliever Matt Eddy has signed a contract with the San Francisco Giants.

The San Francisco Giants headed into the offseason with a need to improve their bullpen. They may have added closer Mark Melancon, but needed to upgrade other spots. On Wednesday, it looks like the Giants have signed ex-Tampa Bay reliever Ryan Webb, per Baseball America’s Matt Eddy.

Webb, 31, has spent eight seasons in the MLB, bouncing from city to city. The ex-Rays’ reliever was most recently with the Milwaukee Brewers, but was released back on March 22.

Probably not a good sign for Giants’ fans, but Webb is coming off of his worst season as a professional, giving up an ERA of 5.19 in 17 innings pitched with Tampa Bay.

For his career, Webb’s ERA is 3.43 and he has an overall record of 17-18. Prior to last year’s debacle in Tampa Bay, it seems like Webb was a solid pitcher out of the bullpen.

Webb also had a positive WAR (Wins above Replacement) and solid WHIP, prior to his year in Tampa Bay. The Giants can only hope that the year with the Rays is a deviation from how Webb can consistently pitch.

The Giants are desperate for any help out of the bullpen, as early injuries to Will Smith have already deterred World Series hopes. With the likes of Santiago Casilla and Sergio Romo gone, the Giants will have to rely on some young arms in the bullpen to come through.

Webb will likely begin his work in Triple-A Sacramento, and try to join the Giants sooner than later. The 31-year old will likely compete with the younger pitchers in the bullpen. 

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San Francisco will probably continue to look elsewhere to find relief pitching, but adding Webb to a shaky bullpen can’t make them any worse. Only time will tell if Webb can be brought up to San Francisco.