The Washington Nationals have announced that they have signed Bronson Arroyo to a minor league contract with an invitation to Major League Spring Training. Mark Sheldon, MLB.com’s Cincinnati Reds beat writer, reported that the veteran right-hander will receive a $2 million base salary if he makes the Major League roster. Arroyo could make an additional $6 million in incentives if he earns a spot in the rotation and makes the necessary number of starts. Which would make the contract potentially worth $8 million.
The Nationals current rotation consists of three top starters in Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez. Followed by Joe Ross, who made his Major League debut in 2015, and right-hander Tanner Roark, who had a strong 2014 campaign before he lost his spot in the rotation when the Nationals acquired Sherzer. If Arroyo makes the Major League roster, he could allow the Nationals to move one of their two young starters to the bullpen, but it is not yet known what kind of role Arroyo would fill if he makes the club out of spring training.
Arroyo became a free agent in November after the Los Angeles Dodgers declined a $13 million club option and paid him a $4.5 million buyout. Arroyo was acquired by the Dodgers as part of a three-team deal at the July 31 trade deadline from the Atlanta Braves.
Arroyo pitched for the Cincinnati Reds from 2006-2013, where he established himself as one of the most dependable pitchers in baseball. During this time in Cincinnati, Arroyo averaged 211 innings per season, while posting a 4.05 ERA with 5.9 K/9, 2.3BB/9 and a 40. percent ground-ball rate. Arroyo pitched in over 200 innings every season for the Reds with the exception of 2011, when Arroyo finished with 199 innings pitched on the year. He also made the 2006 NL All-Star team as a member of the Reds.
As a first-time full-time starter in 2004, Arroyo helped the Boston Red Sox break a nearly century long curse by helping them win their first World Series since 1918. Arroyo will join fellow Major Leaguers Logan Schafer, Chris Heisey, Jhonatan Solano, Reed Johnson and Sean Burnett on the list of players who signed minor league deals with the Nationals and will be invited to spring training.
Arroyo’s most recent big league action was in 2014 with the Arizona Diamondbacks where he went 7-4 with a 4.08 ERA in 14 starts. For his career, Arroyo is 146-131 with a 4.19 ERA and 1,526 strikeouts.
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