The Baltimore Orioles reached into the bargain bin for starting pitching and agreed to a deal with free-agent right-hander Jair Jurrjens. The deal will be worth $1.5 million and incentives to bring the total to $4 million. Jurrjens had a miserable 2012 with the Atlanta Braves and was 3-4 with a 6.89 ERA. Jurrjens spent most of the year in AAA.
Jurrjens was 13 six with a 2.96 ERA in 2011 and made the All-Star team. The Orioles have had interest in Jurrjens in the past. The Braves non-tendered Jurrjens after the season. The Colorado Rockies had shown interest in the 26-year-old Jurrjens as well. Jurrjens made $5.5 million in 2012. He’s 53-37 with a 3.62 ERA in parts of six seasons, and he’s two years away from free agency.
Orioles general manager Dan Duquette has been looking to add pitching depth going into spring training. The club remains in talks regarding bringing back free agent Joe Saunders. Duquette scored last year and signing free-agent Wei-Yin Chen and trading for right-hander Jason Hammel.
