Kevin Gregg joins the Baltimore Orioles on two-year contract
The Baltimore Orioles are doing well for themselves this season. They acquired James Jerry Hardy, Derrek Lee and Mark Reynolds to highlight their activity in the off-season period.
Now with spring training approaching, the club is looking to make the right additions in other areas of the squad, which may lack strength during the Regular League Season. The club wants to make the right additions in the roster, following a contingency
policy design to cover players.
In recent news, one man has come into the side in an effort to bolster the closer’s position. The team’s regular closer, Koji Uehara, is prone to injury and last season showcased an example of that belief. In order to give him the right support during the
season, Kevin Gregg has been signed from the free agency. The tenacious closer, who played much of his baseball with the Toronto Blue Jays, comes to the O’s on a two-year deal worth $10 million.
A vesting option has also been placed in the contract for 2013. There are other incentives enclosed as well. Gregg was approached by Baltimore during the Winter Meetings last month. His signing to the team confirms a safe position in the blue pen. Gregg
was effective with the Blue Jays last season, when he posted an Earning runs Average of 3.51 in 63 games. The 32-year-old impressed the O’s, as he’s willing to face any player on the plate in the American League.
The Orioles were looking for someone experienced in facing top teams like the New York Yankees, the Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox; which is exactly what they have got in Gregg. They will hope that Kevin Gregg fits into the team soon and continues
his impressive form. Gregg’s signing with Baltimore was announced by his agent Dan Horwits. He explained why the closer signed with the O’s. He said, "From what Kevin has relayed to me, one, he's excited about what the team has done this off-season and he's
excited to be a part of it."
Horwits added, "(Reason) two, his familiarity last year in the division and knowing the teams as well as he did from being there last year. Number three, the opportunity to close. Certainly nothing has been given to him; it's an open competition or whatever
you want to call it (with Uehara). But the opportunity over the next two or three seasons to close (was important). Also (Gregg) has some family in the area. So, all of those things (contributed to his decision)."
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