Arizona Diamondbacks sign left handed pitcher Joe Saunders for one year – MLB News
The Arizona Diamondbacks has signed free agent and former Los Angeles Angels left-handed pitcher Joe Saunders to a one deal worth $6 million.
Saunders will be playing a backup role with Ian Kennedy along with Daniel Hudson, Cahill and Josh Collmenter. The Diamondbacks have currently one of the deepest rotations in the National League and now gained more strength signing Saunders for one more year.
Diamondbacks’ general manager Kevin Towers was happy for this late signing of Saunders as he left ecstatic comments,
“It's a veteran who pitched well in the division on a division-winning team who can help lead (the pitching staff). And it allows our (pitching prospects) more time in the minor leagues to develop. We don't think it's going to be too long before they're ready, and if there's an injury we've created more depth. Joe said he had some offers that were out there similar to what we talked about prior to tender date. They were East Coast-based, and he said he wanted to stay in Arizona -- that he'd take less to stay.”
Experts are saying that the Diamondbacks’ latest roster rotation will help them in near future. Though, Saunders was part of 2011 Diamondbacks’ roster but recently his one year contract expired making him a free agent. Before he accepts some other team’s offer, the Diamondbacks picked him as a potential future player.
Throwing offensively at 3.69 ERA along with 12-13 win loss record, 108 strike-outs and 1.31 WHIP, Saunders certainly did a tremendous job last season giving not many loop holes to league hitters. His overall 4.16 ERA with total 69-52 win loss record, 550 strike-outs and 1.37 WHIP also tells a very clear decisive quality of his fast throwing which rattled many top sluggers.
Apart from somewhat re-signing of Saunders, the Diamondbacks have still some issues to be resolved exchanging salaries with all four of their arbitration-eligible players.
Catcher Miguel Montero, who is still to pay $5.4 million by the management including Montero with $6.8 million, third baseman Ryan Roberts with $1.65/$2.275 million and relievers Craig Breslow with $1.5/$2.1 million and Brad Ziegler $1.945/$1.46 million.
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