The Blue Jays announced that they signed Rick VandenHurk to a non-guaranteed split Major League contract. The Orioles released the right-hander earlier this month, making him a free agent.
VandenHurk, 26, has experience in five big league seasons, but he appeared in just four games for the 2011 Orioles. He spent most of the season as a starter at Triple-A, where he posted a 4.43 ERA with 6.3 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 in 154 1/3 innings. The 6'5" native of the Netherlands has a 5.97 ERA with 8.8 K/9, 4.7 BB/9 and a 27.9% ground ball rate in 181 career innings with the Marlins and Orioles.
The Blue Jays created 40-man roster space for VandenHurk by placing right-hander Alan Farina on the 60-day DL.
The big Dutchman! Glad to see him latch on with someone. If there wasn’t a new ballpark in South Beach, he’d probably still be wearing an “F” on his hat.
Do hats now come with a grading system?
I like Vanden Hurk. Good depth move, hopefully one day he can put it all together.
Good luck.
VandenHurk told that to Dutch sports media more than two weeks ago. Good to see him end up with the Jays!
He probably gets DFAed to AAA during spring training. Hard to imagine him making the 25 man roster and it looks like he is out of optional assignments. He will suffer the same fate as Jim Hoey and Jesse Chavez.
Why is he worth a split deal when so many, proven pitchers, have signed mere minor league deals?
Is there a big difference between a split and a normal minor league deal?
Wow AAA really pulled this one out of his…hat, I’m sure the other 40+ other teams were looking to fill the gaping void in that number one spot that only VandenHurk can fill. Glad we could get this done, AAA is the best!! And if he doesn’t work out with the Jays I’m sure AAA can find a spot for him as our Closer. In AAA we trust!
(troling is a art)