One of the four big name free agent starting pitchers still on the market was signed today, as right-hander Bronson Arroyo agreed to terms on a two-year deal plus an option, with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The deal is worth a minimum of $23.5 million and is pending a physical.
According to Fox Sports Ken Rosenthal, Arroyo will make $9.5 million in each of the next two seasons. 2016 is a team option worth $11 million to pick up or $4.5 million for the Diamondbacks to buy out.
Arizona Diamondbacks agree on Two-Year Deal with Bronson Arroyo
The 36-year-old Arroyo pitched for the Cincinnati Reds last season. He went 14-12 with a 3.79 ERA, a 1.15 WHIP and a 124/34 K/BB ratio in 202 innings pitched. Arroyo may not be an elite pitcher, but he is a very dependable one who has started at least 32 games and logged at least 199 innings in each of the last 9 years. His ERA is also under 3.88 in four of his last five seasons.
Getting another reliable starter was certainly something that the Diamondbacks needed heading into the 2014 season, and Arroyo fills a major hole for the team. It was rumored that the final two teams bidding on Arroyo were Arizona and the Los Angeles Dodgers, so the signing gives the Diamondbacks an early victory over their NL West Division rivals.
The move means that Ubaldo Jimenez, Ervin Santana, and A.J. Burnett remain the top starting pitchers still available as the dates for the opening of spring training are less than two weeks away around the majors.
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