Tony Sipp

Tony Sipp

41-Year-Old PitcherP
 Free Agent  
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Tony Sipp in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Nationals in March of 2019. Released by the Nationals in August of 2019.
Placed on release waivers
PWashington Nationals  
August 5, 2019
Sipp was placed on release waivers Monday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
ANALYSIS
This move comes after Sipp cleared outright waivers and declined a minor-league assignment. Assuming the lefty isn't claimed on release waivers by the end of the week, he'll head to free agency.
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2018 MLB Game Log
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2017 MLB Game Log
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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Tony Sipp See More
Regan’s Rumblings: Guys I Hit On ... And Guys I Missed
August 30, 2018
As the fantasy baseball season reaches its final lap, Dave Regan examines the players that were a hit, like AL Cy Young contender Trevor Bauer, and the misses.
Mound Musings: AL West Draft Day Targets
March 22, 2018
Brad Johnson wraps up his trip around the league with an analysis of the arms of the AL West, featuring Justin Verlander and the stellar Houston Astros staff.
Collette Calls: Bullpen Watch at the Break
July 11, 2017
Jason Collette reviews each team's bullpen and looks at who might move as we enter the second half with the trade deadline approaching.
Mound Musings: Arms to Watch in the AL West
March 23, 2017
In Brad Johnson’s final week of division deep dives, he takes a look at the American League West, featuring injured Angels closer Huston Street, who will miss the beginning of the season.
Team Previews: AL West
Team Previews: AL West
February 26, 2016
February 26, 2016
Paul Sporer provides in-depth previews for all five teams in the American League West. Can Mike Trout keep the Angels out of the division basement?
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2017
2016
2015
2014
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2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
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2006
2004
Coming off a sterling 2015 when he held a 1.99 ERA and 10.3 K/9, Sipp struggled by comparison in 2016. His ERA bloated to 4.95, in large part due to a 2.5 HR/9, the second highest in the league among pitchers with at least 40 innings. A left-hander with a good slider and a good changeup, Sipp has pitched even left/right splits over his career, making him more than just a LOOGY. While 2015 was a career year, 2016 seems like somewhat of an outlier on the other end of the spectrum, with his true talent lying somewhere in between. Sipp has two years and $12 million left on his contract, so he will definitely be given relief opportunities for the Astros in 2017. But with Ken Giles and Luke Gregerson set to anchor a crowded bullpen that could become even more crowded with free-agent acquisitions, the 33-year-old Sipp is unlikely to see many high-leverage situations in 2017.
At 31 years of age, Sipp turned in his best season as a pro with the Astros in 2015, as the southpaw held right-handed hitters to a .192 average and finished with an ERA south of 2.00. Despite a dip in fastball velocity (90.9 mph), the veteran maintained a strikeout rate north of 10.0 K/9 for the third consecutive season. With Ken Giles set to close and Luke Gregerson in line to be the setup man, Sipp won't have many high-leverage opportunities.
A strong spring wasn't enough for Sipp to earn a spot on the Padres' Opening Day roster, but after San Diego granted his release in May, Houston quickly swooped in and signed him to a major league contract. The veteran left-hander posted one of the finest seasons of his career, going 4-3 for the Astros with a 3.38 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 11 holds and four saves, while holding the opposition to a .157 batting average. An uptick in fastball velocity (92.4 mph), an effective slider and increased use of his changeup attributed to a career-best strikeout (11.2 K/9) and walk rate (3.0 BB/9). He should be a mainstay of the Astros' bullpen, but may have a lower profile role after the team signed free agents Luke Gregerson and Pat Neshek.
Sipp failed to handle the role of effective lefty out of the Arizona bullpen last season after providing the Indians with a viable option in that role in 2011 and 2012. His fastball velocity slipped for the third straight season, but a strikeout-per-inning lefty seldom has a difficult time finding works. Regardless of where he lands, Sipp figures to be used mostly as a left-handed specialist in 2014.
Sipp took a small step back in his first season as the Indians' primary setup man from the left side and his struggles with the long ball will always inflate his ERA. Included as part of the deal that sent Trevor Bauer to Cleveland, Sipp will work as the primary lefty in the bridge to J.J. Putz in Arizona this season. It will be interesting to see how well his skill set translates with the move into hitter-friendly Chase Field, as his extreme flyball tendencies have made him vulnerable to the long ball over the last three seasons.
Sipp worked his way into a setup role with the diminishing effectiveness of fellow southpaw Rafael Perez and combined with Vinnie Pestano to give the Indians a solid lefty-righty combination in front of closer Chris Perez. He doesn't have the platoon splits that pigeonhole many southpaws into a strict matchup situation as he's very effective at neutralizing right-handed batters as well. Expect another fine season out of Sipp in the Cleveland bullpen and bump him up a few notches if your league rewards holds.
Sipp's overall numbers last season were skewed by a couple of horrific appearances (nine earned runs in one inning) but he's working his way into a setup role from the left side, especially if Rafael Perez continues to struggle. Sipp is not going to wrestle the closer job away from Chris Perez, but could make for a nice staff filler in deeper formats in leagues that count strikeouts.
Sipp made three separate stints in Cleveland, posting a 1.300 WHIP and a 2.92 ERA in 40 innings. He had some control issues with the Indians, but it's never been a huge issue (3.1 BB/9IP in 270 minor-league innings) in his past so we'll chalk it up to some nervousness as walked eight men in his first 6.1 innings. He'll give the Indians another effective southpaw out of the bullpen behind Rafael Perez, but doesn't seem to offer much fantasy value in a middle-relief role.
Sipp was on the verge of earning a spot with the Indians early in 2007 before an elbow injury wiped out his chances, and ultimately his season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He made it back in time for 16 appearances at Double-A where he walked just seven and fanned 32 batters in 21.2 innings. It remains to be seen how much of his fastball and plus-slider were left on the operating table but the early returns are positive. The Indians could give him a meaningful look this spring if they're aggressive in their recovery timeline.
Sipp came down with a sore elbow in spring training, was shut down until midseason, before suffering a setback and undergoing Tommy John surgery in July. He's expected to miss all of 2008 and it remains to be seen how much of his fastball and devasting slider will remain on the operating table. A late-inning option from the left side when healthy, he's got a better chance to come back now than he would have 10 years ago and still make a career out of throwing a baseball.
A lefty with power stuff, Sipp dominated Double-A in 2006, striking out almost 12 batters per nine innings pitched. Sipp could break camp with Cleveland as their power left-hander out of the pen and his future may be as a closer, ala Billy Wagner. Should he stay in Triple-A to begin the season, sit back and enjoy the show.
A 46th-rounder in 2004, Sipp has dominated three separate Single-A divisions in two years. A combo pitcher/outfielder at Clemson, the full-time work as a pitcher seems to be helping him learn the craft, although a shift from starting to the pen didn't work as well in the transition from Lake County to Kinston. The Cleveland system's lack of quality lefties and Sipp's performance thus far could get him more than a sip of coffee in Cleveland very soon.
Sipp, the 45th round pick in 2004 out of Clemson, could have been a centerfielder because of his solid defensive work, athleticism, and quick bat in college, but the Indians view him as a pitcher. He’s only five-foot-11 but throws in the low 90s with two emerging secondary pitches in a power slider and splitter. He’s a college player but not overly polished as a pitcher. Low round picks tend to be quickly-signed and he should spend the remainder of 2004 in Short-Season as the organization determines if his high college K-rate is convertible to the pros.
More Fantasy News
DFA'd by Washington
PWashington Nationals  
August 2, 2019
Sipp was designated for assignment by the Nationals on Friday, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.
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Snags eighth hold
PWashington Nationals  
July 25, 2019
Sipp struck out the only batter he faced to record his eighth hold of the season in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Rockies.
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Pitching better of late
PWashington Nationals  
June 24, 2019
Sipp has a 4.70 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 12:6 K:BB through 15.1 innings over 27 appearances this season, collecting one win and seven holds.
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Returns from IL
PWashington Nationals  
May 20, 2019
The Nationals activated Sipp (oblique) from the 10-day injured list Monday.
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Could be activated Monday
PWashington Nationals  
Oblique
May 19, 2019
Sipp (oblique) could be activated to begin the Nationals' series Monday against the Mets, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports.
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