Los Angeles Dodgers sign $2.72 million one-year contract with reliever Hong Chih-Kuo – MLB News
The Los Angeles Dodgers have seemingly avoided arbitration as they managed to sign a one-year $2.72 million deal with reliever Hong Chih-Kuo. It looks as if both parties are satisfied with the deal as the team is looking to add to their pitching depth for
the 2011 regular season.
Although the amount of the one-year deal is less than what Kuo was demanding, there are many incentives for the pitcher depending on his performance and the number of games that he plays for the Dodgers. Thus, the deal was signed and Kuo seemed satisfied
with the contract.
Kuo had an All-Star record breaking season last year as his ERA was 1.20 in 56 innings with a 4.06 K/BB ratio. He managed to strike-out 11 batters per nine innings for the Dodgers. He was ranked as the top pitcher in 2010 with 18 walks and 73 strike-outs
in 60 innings allowing being hit only .139.
His debut was in 2005 and since then, Kuo has only played with the Dodgers. In his five seasons, he has a 12-15 record with an ERA of 3.19 and 309 strike-outs. It is no wonder that the Dodgers are signing him for another year as an effective reliever for
the team.
The Dodgers are desperate for a successful 2011 regular season with a possible appearance in the playoffs. The team has struggled in recent years and they are now starting to build from the ground up. As Spring Training is right around the corner, the Dodgers
understand the importance of staying focused and getting in a good performance against the other top tier teams in the League. Also, the team will have the perfect opportunity to get some much needed game time in for some of the younger players before the
start of the regular season.
As the team has retained Kuo as reliever for the 2011 season, it will be interesting to see which other players the Dodgers will keep and which they might pick up from the free agency market.
Tags: