  Udmphikapbob Member Username: Udmphikapbob Post Number: 208 Registered: 07-2004 |
Tigers lose Walker to O's In addition to their search for a left-handed bat, the Detroit Tigers will now also have to search for a left-handed pitcher for their bullpen. That's because reliable Jamie Walker has departed, choosing to sign a three-year contract with Baltimore according to that city's Baltimore Sun. November 16, Baltimore Sun: Wednesday night, the Orioles agreed in principle to a three-year deal with Detroit Tigers left-handed reliever Jamie Walker, according to two club sources. Though terms of the deal were not disclosed, the Orioles will pay Walker, arguably the best left-handed reliever on the free-agent market, approximately $11.5 million over three seasons. The price the Orioles had to pay for Walker, who made 56 appearances and logged 48 innings last year as the prime left-handed specialist for the American League champion Tigers, shows how expensive reliable bullpen arms are in the current marketplace, which features a thin relief class. The Orioles, according to a team source, upped their original offer Wednesday afternoon to close the deal. Walker has been with Detroit since 2002 with last season being his best statistically. He allowed just 15 earned runs and held left-handed hitters to a .238 batting average. Over his career, Walker is 15-16 with five saves and a 3.95 ERA. In seven big league seasons, lefties are hitting .229 against him while right-handed hitters are batting .282. http://www.mlive.com/weblogs/c utoffman/index.ssf?/mtlogs/mli ve_cutoffman/archives/2006_11. html#205366 | ||
Bobj Member Username: Bobj Post Number: 1438 Registered: 11-2003 |
That is too bad, but you cannot keep everyone - hopefully Dave D can find a good replacement | ||
Umstucoach Member Username: Umstucoach Post Number: 111 Registered: 04-2006 |
Not sure where Angelos is going here. The Orioles need STARTING PITCHING, instead of giving 4 million a year for a situational lefty. Then again, the Orioles need anything they can get. Adios, Jamie. At least you got to win with us this past year | ||
Smogboy Member Username: Smogboy Post Number: 4007 Registered: 11-2004 |
Situationally I thought he was stellar coming out of the bullpen. I knew he could be that crafty lefty that Leyland could drag in there to strike out the one or two batters. Maybe it's time the mantle of the lefty out of the bullpen falls to Wilfredo Ledezma? | ||
Lowell Board Administrator Username: Lowell Post Number: 3310 Registered: 10-2003 |
Andrew Miller - the kid looks great. I'd roll the dice on him too and save $11.5 mil from Walker who was always shaky. He got the job done mostly, but he blew a lot of clutch situations. Plus he is advancing in years. | ||
Smogboy Member Username: Smogboy Post Number: 4011 Registered: 11-2004 |
Miller could very well step up and be the next coming of Randy Johnson. Having a surplus of solid arms is a nice luxury to have. |
