The Orioles and Justin Duchscherer have finalized a one-year deal that could be worth as much as $4.5MM in salary and incentives. The right-hander has passed his physical, according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun (on Twitter). Dan Connolly of the Sun reports that Duchscherer gets $700K guaranteed and that his base salary will jump to $1.1MM when he makes the roster (Twitter links). To get the full $4.5MM, he'll have to make 30 starts.
Earlier in the week we heard that just a handful of clubs were in on the Duke of Hurl, and it eventually came down to beltway neighbors Baltimore and Washington. Duchscherer is represented by Lapa/Leventhal.
The 33-year-old right-hander made just five starts for the Athletics last year, pitching to a 2.89 ERA with 5.8 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9 in 28 innings. He had surgery on his hip, and has also battled elbow issues and depression in recent years. Duchscherer has a ton of experience as both a starter (3.01 ERA in 194 1/3 IP) and a reliever (3.22 ERA in 260 1/3 IP), but he recently said he'd like to remain in the rotation. He's never come close to making the 30 starts needed to max out his contract, topping out at 22 starts in 2008.
Duchscherer showcased his stuff at a workout on Friday, and was set for an encore performance on Tuesday, but that obviously won't be necessary. The O's have been looking for a veteran starter to slot in behind Jeremy Guthrie and in front of their younger arms, which Duke should be able to do as long as he's healthy.
ESPN's Jerry Crasnick first reported the agreement.
This makes the O’s the off season Champions. Now let the games begin!
Good job Cash.
Duchscherer is not old enough to pitch for the Yankees. He’s too many years away from an AARP card to qualify.
Seriously, Yankees don’t need another question mark to add to the rotation.
He doesn’t get his money unless he makes 30 starts. You know he’ll get hurt @ some point but when he is pitching, he is nasty. If he gave you 20-25 quality starts you’d be able to give the kids a chance. Now you have two Javier Vasquez’ getting lumped up every 4th and 5th game.
Wait until CC opts out, they are screwed.
As a Yankees fan, I’m not thrilled with the two signing of the old guys, but am not freaked out about it. My cable provider had games from the DR and I was able to see Colon pitch parts of two games and was not impressed. He didn’t look any trimmer than before and was pitching to AAA caliber players, but he does know how to pitch. From the small sample I don’t think he’ll make the team.Garcia is another story, he knows how to pitch and was decent with Chicago, so on a better team he could hold his own. Add Mitre and Nova and the Yankees have four bodies that are a safer bet to not break down than Duchscherer. They’re not the glamorous names we’re used to seeing in a Yankees rotation, but it’s most likely a temporary situation.
As for CC and his opting out. That most likely won’t happen. He made it clear on a few occasions that he likes it in NY, as well as the home in NJ and is looking around at the better high schools for his kids to attend. That may change, but for now one has to take him at his word.
What a pick up by the O’s. If this guy is healthy you get a top of the rotation guy and if not, you lose pocket change for Mr. Angelos. Now bump the offer for Vlad to 5.5 million with a chance to make 8 if he hits within 10% of career numbers.
Why bid against yourself?
What a great off season for the O’s. im so proud of them, i feel like they are starting to grow up right before my eyes. /wipetear.
This could be the steal of the off-season. Great upgrade from Millwood.
If he only wins 4 games they broke even on wins and would still be millions ahead in salary costs.
How do yo figure that ?
Millwood’s contribution to the club last year is hardly accessed by his 4 wins.
O’s in 2nd place in the ALE, bank it.
Wanna bet?
I’ll have no shot of collecting a message board bet so we’ll just have to see what’s what in October.
good pick up now time for vlad and maybe millwood for a try out in spring… cant hurt to have another veteran arm for the o’s to let young guys mature in AAA.
2011’s ben sheets
Except Duke isn’t getting 10 million guaranteed … Not a good comparison.
Really? they both were giving big amounts of money when they have had major surgery and then missed seasons.