The big news of today in baseball was the unveiling of Mark Teixeira as a Yankee. We all know the details, and we know he didn’t want to come to Baltimore; alas, seeing him in pinstripes was a little surreal after all that took place this off-season.
Mark said all the right things in his press conference, and only spoke glowingly of his new employers, but I’ll be interested to see the reaction when comes back to his hometown for Opening Day.
Well, the other news that really intrigued me was that Carl Pavano found work in Cleveland. His deal is worth $1.5 million plus heavy incentives which he could earn an additional $5.3 million based on starts and innings pitched. The Indians got a pitcher on the cheap — mostly because of his adventures in New York — however, if he can be a .500 pitcher or better, he’ll help them out greatly.
Now onto Baltimore…
The Orioles finally added another pitcher as they inked Koji Uehara to a two-year, $10 million according to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun. The report also notes that the deal could be worth as much as $16 million over two years if he meets performance milestones.
I would imagine he would be at the top of the rotation — perhaps after Guthrie or as the third starter — and he’s an experienced arm in Japan. Although he was a closer in Japan with the Yomiuri Giants, he’ll be a starter. I’ll be interested to see how he does — I don’t think he’ll be Igawa, nor do I think he’ll be Dice-K — but I just want to see a pitcher who could keep the game competitive.
More importantly, it gives the Orioles a foothold in Asia — a portion of the world which has been flush with talent. It looks like the organization has taken some strides with their scouting, and it has finally paid off.
