Phill11
The Payphone Man
By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com
Jesse Orosco spent a portion of last season with the Yankees. (Winslow Townson/AP)
PHOENIX -- The Diamondbacks took a step towards addressing their need for a left-hander in the bullpen by signing veteran Jesse Orosco to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training.
"This is a guy who can still come in and get it done when you pick your spots," Diamondbacks general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. said. "He's still effective against left-handed batters."
Orosco pitched for the Padres, Yankees and Twins last season and combined to go 2-2 with two saves and a 7.68 ERA in 65 games. The 46-year-old began his big league career in 1979 with the Mets and has an 87-80 record with 144 saves over 24 Major League seasons. His 1,252 games pitched and 1,248 relief appearances are both Major League records.
One of the Diamondbacks' priorities in the offseason has been to acquire some left-handed relief help after deciding not to re-sign lefty-specialist Mike Myers and removing Eddie Oropesa from the roster.
Garagiola emphasized that the Diamondbacks may still invite another lefty to Spring Training. Orosco would get an $800,000 salary if he makes the team with the opportunity to earn another $200,000 in performance bonuses. He can become a free agent if he does not make the Opening Day roster.
"He knows that we could do other things that could make it more difficult for him to make the club," Garagiola said referring to the club's continuing search.
But Garagiola emphasized that Orosco will get every opportunity to make the club, regardless of what happens between now and next spring.
"I think our track record in these situations is clear," Garagiola said. "When we have people competing for a job, they get their opportunities. We don't bring people in and give them two-thirds of an inning in an intrasquad game and say, 'Thank you very much.'"
Steve Gilbert is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
IS THIS GOOD OR BAD. IM LEANING TOWARDS BAD!
Jesse Orosco spent a portion of last season with the Yankees. (Winslow Townson/AP)
PHOENIX -- The Diamondbacks took a step towards addressing their need for a left-hander in the bullpen by signing veteran Jesse Orosco to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training.
"This is a guy who can still come in and get it done when you pick your spots," Diamondbacks general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. said. "He's still effective against left-handed batters."
Orosco pitched for the Padres, Yankees and Twins last season and combined to go 2-2 with two saves and a 7.68 ERA in 65 games. The 46-year-old began his big league career in 1979 with the Mets and has an 87-80 record with 144 saves over 24 Major League seasons. His 1,252 games pitched and 1,248 relief appearances are both Major League records.
One of the Diamondbacks' priorities in the offseason has been to acquire some left-handed relief help after deciding not to re-sign lefty-specialist Mike Myers and removing Eddie Oropesa from the roster.
Garagiola emphasized that the Diamondbacks may still invite another lefty to Spring Training. Orosco would get an $800,000 salary if he makes the team with the opportunity to earn another $200,000 in performance bonuses. He can become a free agent if he does not make the Opening Day roster.
"He knows that we could do other things that could make it more difficult for him to make the club," Garagiola said referring to the club's continuing search.
But Garagiola emphasized that Orosco will get every opportunity to make the club, regardless of what happens between now and next spring.
"I think our track record in these situations is clear," Garagiola said. "When we have people competing for a job, they get their opportunities. We don't bring people in and give them two-thirds of an inning in an intrasquad game and say, 'Thank you very much.'"
Steve Gilbert is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
IS THIS GOOD OR BAD. IM LEANING TOWARDS BAD!
