The Indians have signed right-hander Scott Atchison to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training, according to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian (on Twitter). Atchison is represented by agent Rich Thompson.
Atchison, 38 in March, was non-tendered by the Mets in November. MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz had projected him to earn $1.3MM in arbitration on the heels of a season that saw him post a 4.37 ERA in 45 1/3 innings with the Mets. Atchison averaged 5.6 K/9, 2.4 BB/9 and posted a solid 48.7 percent ground-ball rate in New York last season.
Atchison is somewhat similar to Matt Albers, whom the Indians recently lost to free agency (Albers signed with the Astros). Though Albers is significantly younger, each right-hander makes up for a below-average strikeout rate by keeping the ball on the ground. Atchison's ground-ball rate isn't as pronounced as that of Albers, but he's posted superior walk rates to Albers since returning to the Majors from Japan in 2010.
Yay more pitching depth. I’m okay with not-stellar people as long as we can get the best possible combination of all these guys on the field for opening day.
DAD!
DAD!
Another impressive senior-citizen signing. Maybe he can join their rocking chair brigade. I know, I know — he’s cheap — the main thing the Dolans prize.
Atch had to be shut down for a bit during the summer of ’12, then not pitch frequently the rest of the season due to a partial UCL tear. They don’t heal themselves. I wonder how much he’s got left before it finally goes?
I always liked the guy and he was ripping right along until that elbow issue.