The Arizona Diamondbacks have signed free agent pitcher Bronson Arroyo, reports Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. Arroyo’s contract guarantees the veteran $23.5 million in total. He will earn $9.5 million each in 2014 and 2014, with a club option for $11 million in 2016 that contains a $4.5 million buyout.
The 37 year-old Arroyo has been one of the game’s most durable starters, throwing at least 199 innings over the last eight seasons. After a poor 2011 season where he posted a 5.07 ERA and 5.71 FIP, he’s rebounded over the last two years, pitching to a 3.76 ERA.
Despite an 87 mile per hour fastball that is one of the slowest in baseball, Arroyo has been successful due to his ability to mix pitches and limit walks. He throws a slider, curveball, and changeup, and uses his fastball on fewer than half his pitches. While he’s struck out only 15.3 percent of hitters over the course of his career, he’s walked only 6.5 percent.
Despite Arroyo’s track record of durability and career 98 ERA- minus, the Diamondbacks acquisition is a curious one. Most likely, the Arroyo signing will bump 24 year-old Randall Delgado out of the rotation come Opening Day.
While he had a bit of a home run problem, Delgado posted a respectable 4.26 ERA with strikeout and walk rates of 16.7 percent and 4.9 percent. Steamer projects him to be right around the major league average in 2014, though ZiPS is less optimistic.
The Diamondbacks came into the offseason looking for an ace, and they got Arroyo, who though he’s been a fine pitcher, is no ace. It’s an odd move that looks like they are paying more for past results than future production.
