FoxSports is reporting that the Orioles have signed veteran relief pitcher Kevin Gregg.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/dailypitch/post/2011/01/reliever-kevin-gregg-signs-two-year-deal-with-the-orioles/1?csp=34

The Baltimore Sun has confirmed it is a 2 year deal for $10M, with a vesting option for 2013.

The 32 year-old RHP spent the 2010 season with the Toronto Blue Jays after previous stops with Florida, the Cubs, and the LA Angels.

What will get a lot of attention, is that Gregg has accumulated 121 saves (and 26 blown saves) during the four previous seasons. What matters more is his peripheral numbers. Let us take a look at some of his stats for the three most recent seasons.

2008: 72 games, 68.2 ip, 51 hits, 3 hr’s, 37 bb’s, 58 k’s, .203 baa, .585 OPS, 0.88 G/F
2009: 72 games, 68.2 ip, 60 hits, 13 hr’s, 30 bb’s, 70 k’s, .229 baa, .740 OPS, 0.64 G/F
2010: 63 games, 59 ip, 52 hits, 4 homers, 30 bb’s, 58 k’s, .237 baa, .712 OPS, 0.76 G/F

This pretty clearly illustrates what Gregg brings to the table. A guy that is pretty durable, that figures to give up less than a hit per IP, have mediocre control, and good k rates.

This FanGraphs’ article from last May talks about Gregg incorporating a cutter to his arsenal in 2010:

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/the-greggster/

This link visualizes Gregg’s velocity and movement by pitch:

http://pitchfx.texasleaguers.com/pitcher/276514/

Gregg had turned down Toronto’s offer of arbitration. As a Type B Free Agent, the Jays will receive a compensatory pick but the O’s will not lose a draft-pick.

With Gregg, the bullpen currently looks like:

Gregg
Gonzalez
Uehara
Johnson
Berken
VandenHurk / Accardo / Rosario
Patton / 2nd lefty (FA?)

I can understand those that did not want him for 2 years. I can understand being underwhelmed by his numbers.  Worrying about his blown saves (or over evaluating his accumulated saves) makes little sense.

While I would rather take that $10M and invest into Player Development and Scouting, I do feel better about the bullpen with Gregg added. Of all the available pitchers who would not cost the O’s a pick, Gregg looks as good as any.

Chris Stoner
Chris Stoner

Owner

Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.

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