Monday, December 11, 2006 |
Angels Sign Darren Oliver
Update/analysis: Oliver (career stats) had a 6.69 K/9 last year, not an especially compelling figure from a guy likely to be used as a LOOGY. On the other hand, he was a little less effective against righties (.244/.301/.416) than lefties (.208/.252/.415), but not overly so, and given Mike Scioscia's proclivities, he'll see action against the odd right-handed batter; there's nothing the Angels love as much as player flexibility. Another plus in that direction is the fact that last year was also the first year he pitched exclusively in relief, spending most of his career in the starting rotation for the Rangers, Cardinals, Red Sox, Rockies, Astros, Marlins, and Mets. Clearly, moving to the pen has helped his ERA and his strikeout and groundball rates, but he also provides a potential emergency option in case something happens to a starter.
Of course, the risk is that, as with J.C. Romero whom he replaces in the Angels pen, he'll fall apart due age or general decline, but especially given the years and dollars alleged to be involved so far, it's hard not to like this signing.
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