Dodgers Reach Agreement with J.P. Howell: One-Year Deal $2.85 million

Los Angeles Dodgers news

Howell will replace Randy Choate in the Dodgers bullpen

The Los Angeles Dodgers have reached an agreement with free-agent left-hander J.P. Howell on a one-year deal.

Financial terms of the deal call for Howell to receive $2.85 million in base salary and performance bonuses.

Howell pitched to a 3.04 ERA over 50 1/3 innings of work last season with the Tampa Bay Rays and him left-handers to a .200/.306/.306 batting line.

The Washington Nationals were said to have interest in Howell, who lost left-handed relievers Sean Burnett and Mike Gonzalez to free agency, but it was the Dodgers who sealed the deal.

Howell would take over for Randy Choate in the Dodgers bullpen who signed a three-year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals last month.

Howell has pitched in many high leverage situations including 17 saves for Tampa Bay in 2009,  but is best suited as a lefty specialist.

Howell missed all of 2010 and the first 44 games of 2011 after left shoulder surgery, and posted a 6.16 ERA in 46 games in 2011, before rebounding in 2012.

Howell was originally selected 31st overall by the Kansas City Royals in 2004 and traded to Tampa Bay in 2006 where he became an integral part of Tampa Bay’s bullpen.

The Dodgers will feature a rotation Clayton Kershaw,  Zack GreinkeJosh BeckettChad BillingsleyChris CapuanoAaron Harang, Ted Lilly and  Hyun-Jin Ryu.

The team re-signed closer Brandon League earlier this off-season.