2:55pm: Arroyo may have a clearer picture of where he's going to land by the end of the day today, a baseball source tells ESPN's Jerry Crasnick (Twitter link).
FRIDAY, 12:44pm: Jim Bowden of ESPN and MLB Network Radio tweets that Arroyo will end up signing with either the Dodgers or the Diamondbacks.
THURSDAY: Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweets that Arroyo's camp has lowered the asking price to the two-year, $22MM range, and the Orioles and Diamondbacks are "definitely pushing" for the veteran righty.
WEDNESDAY, 9:32pm: The D'Backs are "very serious" about signing Arroyo and are planning to meet with him, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe tweets.
2:11pm: The Diamondbacks, Dodgers, and Orioles are the three finalists to land free agent starter Bronson Arroyo, reports Bob Nightengale of USA Today (via Twitter). Among those clubs, the Diamondbacks are "slight favorites" to lock up the soon-to-be 37-year-old.
We heard recently that Arroyo had yet to receive a firm offer, but reported interest has never waned in the durable righty. Another recent report suggested that Arroyo has continued to ask clubs for a third guaranteed year. Arizona, a newer entrant to the chase for Arroyo, is said to be interested in a two-year pact.
I’ll say he ends up with the Dodgers. The Diamondbacks and Orioles haven’t had luck on their side this offseason.
Diamondbacks are the slight favorites
I don’t believe reporters when they say so and so are the “favorites” to land ________. We all know what happened with Tanaka.
Yankees were always favorites
First it was the Yankees, then it was the Dodgers, then Mariners, Cubs, Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Yankees, Cubs. It changed depending on who you asked.
Hey.. This is one FA I’d pull for the Yank’s to win 🙂
It’s not a lack of luck with the Orioles. It’s a philosophy about a lack of money.
I think the Orioles get Burnett… IMO I don’t think they can compete with the Dodgers if they are serious about him.
I think luck would be on the Dbacks side not to get him.
I think luck would be on the Dbacks side not to get him.
I think Arroyo would be a nice addition for the Dbacks. He is a good pitcher and can provide some veteran leadership for a realtively young team
He’s a solid pitcher, but I’d be slightly worried about pitching in that park. I know he’s been in cincy, but when Arroyo has struggled, its been with HRs. Full disclose I’m a dodger fan and hope he goes there, but I think he could help wherever he ends up
a soft tosser like him, wouldn’t pitch well in Arizona, in my opinion. If he was there for a stretch run, it might be a different thing….but an entire season?…of 30-some starts?…in that launchpad, in Phoenix?…NOT!
Sure if you look at it that with the current rotation will never win the division and don’t seem to want to. Add another mediocre pitcher to McCarthy & Cahill and maybe we’ll finish last
Pick Arizona. I need to stay alive in the FA Contest.
How many have you gotten right so far?
I have 7 right. First place is 13.
Wow… If I’d entered, I’m sure I would have gotten just about everything wrong.
I picked Halladay to sign with the Jays, which happened, but they put down ‘retirement.’ Pretty sure he signed a 1 day deal to retire with them.
I picked Ellsbury to sign with Texas and it’s been downhill since. I’m favoring Baltimore with Arroyo, though.
I think Amaro will shock and overpay, but Baltimore seems most reasonable.
I think Amaro will shock and overpay, but Baltimore seems most reasonable.
I picked Ellsbury to sign with Texas and it’s been downhill since. I’m favoring Baltimore with Arroyo, though.
Even though he pitched well at GAB, I would still avoid AL East if I were him.
Fly ball-type pitcher going to the AL east with all the left-handed sluggers they got there, I wouldn’t even consider if I was him. Ortiz, Ellsbury, McCann, Beltran, Tex, Davis, and theres just starting it.
If he goes to the Orioles he won’t be facing Davis.
Probably his last contract, got a ring, not going to the hall… go where the money is even if it’s the AL East
I think he ends up in Arizona they have the biggest need with that young staff. If he goes to the AL East he could get destroyed, look at his inter-league numbers. I know he pitched in Boston but that was a long time ago.
If the Orioles sign him he will be a disaster in the AL East. With the way he gives up home runs it will be a “festivus” for the rest of the AL East teams.
The Pesky pole better not have tinsel on it. It’s distracting.
I don’t see where the Dodgers would fit him in, without eating Beckett’s contract..
I mean, you have Kershaw, Greinke, Ryu, Haren and Beckett..
Also Billingsley
But not until June or July. What they do with Arroyo will tell us a lot about whether they think Beckett can pitch.
Doesn’t arroyo want at least 2 years? They would have 7 big league starters come July each making a lot of money. They had the same problem last year but suffered injuries after dropping Harang. They need to trade one and sign a ton of low risk guys like Jake Westbrook or Jair Jurrjens as an emergency starter.
The talk is he wants three guaranteed, which I doubt the Dodgers give him. Another team with a greater need and less starting pitching coming up might though. I agree they need to stock away some starters in the minors, and they probably will, but I think it’s premature to talk about trades. Still one open starting slot.
Without Bronson, their rotation winds up like this. I’d imagine Bronson slates 4th between Ryu and Beckett.
1.) Kershaw
2.) Grenkie
3,) Ryu
4.) Beckett
5.) Haren
6.) Billingsly*
7.) Stephen Fife
Haren will be the #4 starter as it stands now.
Beckett, Magill and Fife will fight it out for the #5 spot in Spring Training, with Zach Lee having an outside chance.
Haren wasn’t signed for $10m to be relegated to the bullpen. Beckett is a sunk cost.
Beckett is a sunk cost at this point, but he could very well start the season on the DL, leaving the unappealing options of Fife and Magill.
Yeah but the Dodgers don’t really need a fifth starter until somewhere around April 19 given the funky schedule with the Australia trip and then several early off-days. I’d rather they avoid Arroyo and go with one of Fife, Lee, Stripling, or worst-case, Magill until Beckett is ready.
We’re going to have to say if not when on Beckett. Like I said when the discussion started, how interested the Dodgers are in Arroyo is going to tell us something about whether or not Beckett is expected to pitch again. Even if the Dodgers don’t need a #5 for a few weeks, they aren’t going to want to break camp without one. Those other options sound a lot better to me as backups if someone gets hurt.
We’re going to have to say if not when on Beckett. Like I said when the discussion started, how interested the Dodgers are in Arroyo is going to tell us something about whether or not Beckett is expected to pitch again. Even if the Dodgers don’t need a #5 for a few weeks, they aren’t going to want to break camp without one. Those other options sound a lot better to me as backups if someone gets hurt.
Beckett is a sunk cost at this point, but he could very well start the season on the DL, leaving the unappealing options of Fife and Magill.
Me in my honest opinion he is best fit with the D-Backs.
he’ll end up in LA…period. He likes to hit, and he’s probably tired of pitching in all those fishbowls in the NL Central.
Baltimore Orioles Depth Chart Lists Four Starters –
Bud Norris, Miguel Gonzalez, Chris Tillman, & Wei Yin Chen.
The addition of Bronson Arroyo would certainly round things out fittingly.
Orioles should get him. They desperately need a new starter.
Early in the process, like July, I can recall San Francisco being one of the favorites.
If he joins the O’s, he’ll know why teams were weary of giving him the 3-yr deal he was asking for.
Probably wary, too.
If he agrees to sign with the O’s, there’s a 50/50 chance he’ll make it past THEIR physical. Apparently they now use different drs than the ones who passed Brian Roberts.
Brian Roberts got the concussion that lingered for years after signing his 4 year deal.
If he agrees to sign with the O’s, there’s a 50/50 chance he’ll make it past THEIR physical. Apparently they now use different drs than the ones who passed Brian Roberts.
Seems a little questionable whether he’d even be an upgrade on the 5th starters in LA and Arizona. Maybe a bit. AZ just seems determined to spend $$ on a pitcher come heck or high water.
I agree that Arizona is determined to get a starter. What I don’t understand is why don’t they at least offer Burnett a hefty 1 year deal and make him turn it down (yes I know he prefers the east coast, but a $22 million, 1 year deal would be beneficial to both sides).
Because you could get Arroyo for 2 years for that price (or close to it?)
But Arroyo is not good… barely better than what they have. Burnett was a borderline ace throughout last year.
That’s hilarious considering Arroyo had a higher WAR and lower WHIP last year. Burnett also threw 10 fewer innings.
What WAR are you looking at? Fangraphs had Burnett at 4 WAR and Arroyo at .8. WHIP is an overrated stat, when compared to fip and xfip. Also, 10 innings is not that big of a difference in the course of a 162 game season.
Baseball reference WAR. WHIP is overrated? You prefer pitchers that allow more baserunners?
It’s highly variable and based in luck. I also prefer pitchers that are actually able to strike people out (especially in hitters’ parks). You prefer more variable/lucky stats like WHIP instead of more mathematical stats that evaluate pitchers?
It’s highly variable and based in luck. I also prefer pitchers that are actually able to strike people out (especially in hitters’ parks). You prefer more variable/lucky stats like WHIP instead of more mathematical stats that evaluate pitchers?
So Kershaw allows fewer baserunners because he’s lucky?
Logical fallacy – appeal to extremes (all his other stats like FIP are good too, so WHIP is bound to be good when FIP is as well over long periods of time). My argument is that FIP and xFIP are better indicators of performance than WHIP on a year – year basis and that WHIP is more influenced over the course of a season by luck (the quality of team fielding and BABIP). Maybe looking up the stats that I talked about would help.
Logical fallacy – appeal to extremes (all his other stats like FIP are good too, so WHIP is bound to be good when FIP is as well over long periods of time). My argument is that FIP and xFIP are better indicators of performance than WHIP on a year – year basis and that WHIP is more influenced over the course of a season by luck (the quality of team fielding and BABIP). Maybe looking up the stats that I talked about would help.
The idea that Arroyo was better than Burnett last year is just about the funniest thing I’ve seen on this blog in months. And that’s saying something.
Who said he was better? They had comparable years. To say Burnett is an “ace” and Arroyo is “not good” just is wrong, plain and simple.
I agree that Arizona is determined to get a starter. What I don’t understand is why don’t they at least offer Burnett a hefty 1 year deal and make him turn it down (yes I know he prefers the east coast, but a $22 million, 1 year deal would be beneficial to both sides).
My guess is LAD. Wouldn’t be a smart move to pitch in the AL East, and LAD is more favorable for pitchers than ARI and Bal. Also, with his age, he may like another shot at the championship, and the best shot may be in LAD. Of course, LAD will have all the $$ he may want. I’d like to see him go to ARI however…
I would rather see Delgado get the opportunity as an Arizona fan.
I would rather see Delgado get the opportunity as an Arizona fan.
I can appreciate what Arroyo has done in his career, but I hope the Dodgers pass. I don’t see the upside with him, and he wouldn’t be a part of the postseason rotation. I’d rather the Dodgers give a chance to Zach Lee, if it happens that Beckett can’t get it done and Fife can’t get it done. They only need a #5 starter until June or so, anyway, if Billingsley comes back fine. And if #5 starter is still a problem around midseason, fine, swing a trade. I don’t want to commit 2 or more years to a 37-year-old pitcher who throws an 87 MPH fastball.
I 100% agree. With all the money wasted on Beckett, I’d rather give him a chance to be a decent #5 and if not we can turn to Fife, Lee, or maybe even Stripling until Billingsley is ready.
I 100% agree. With all the money wasted on Beckett, I’d rather give him a chance to be a decent #5 and if not we can turn to Fife, Lee, or maybe even Stripling until Billingsley is ready.
I can appreciate what Arroyo has done in his career, but I hope the Dodgers pass. I don’t see the upside with him, and he wouldn’t be a part of the postseason rotation. I’d rather the Dodgers give a chance to Zach Lee, if it happens that Beckett can’t get it done and Fife can’t get it done. They only need a #5 starter until June or so, anyway, if Billingsley comes back fine. And if #5 starter is still a problem around midseason, fine, swing a trade. I don’t want to commit 2 or more years to a 37-year-old pitcher who throws an 87 MPH fastball.
I dont understand the hate for this guy on this board. He’s not an ace, never has been, but has been a solid 2 – 3 guy his entire career. And he did it in Cinny and Boston, which isn’t the greatest ballparks for pitchers. Dodgers have 0 need for pitching so I bet it comes down to Balt or Arizona. Out of need, I say Ari signs him.
Not entire career. But 4 of the last 5 years he has been good.
Gotta be a pretty bad rotation for Bronson to be a 2 or 3. He’s a very good back end guy. Problem is, Arizona already has 4 guys better than him, and he’s the fifth only because the best pitching prospect in baseball (or 2nd best) is still a few months away. Seems like a weird place for the Dbacks to spend a bunch of money.
They’re probably banking on McCarthy getting hurt/being horrible again.
an argument can even be made that Delgado will be better this year too. So Cahill, Delgado, McCarthy, Corbin, and Miley could all be more valuable than Bronson this year.
I dont understand the hate for this guy on this board. He’s not an ace, never has been, but has been a solid 2 – 3 guy his entire career. And he did it in Cinny and Boston, which isn’t the greatest ballparks for pitchers. Dodgers have 0 need for pitching so I bet it comes down to Balt or Arizona. Out of need, I say Ari signs him.
i bet Arizona is going to outbid the Dodgers only because they are rivals
Because Arizona has the money to oubid the Dodgers….Good call!
I honestly think that they (arizona) shouldn’t sign a 37 year old to a 2-3 year deal when they already have a passable 5th guy now in Delgado along with Archie Bradley waiting in the wings. It would be a waste of money which can be used to lock up young guys like Corbin.
could not agree more, lock up corbin like we locked up goldy last year. Really wouldnt mind seeing what happens with a delgado/ bradley combo this year.
Why else do you think KT would do that? He would rather overpay veterans than let more talented prospects play.
the orioles are totally going to outbid the dodgers…..said no one ever
You realize the Orioles were the last team not named the Yankees to lead the league in payroll.
Actually, the Orioles, Blue Jays, and Twins were the last teams to lead the league in payroll…since the Yanks took over.
yea 16 years ago
You realize 16 years is within the time frame of ever. And they were middle of the road in payroll last year meaning almost half of the league spent less than they did.
sure they were middle of the road but they were 124.5 million behind the dodgers
Ebbs and flows in all businesses. 16 years is a blink of the eye. I would guess in 20 years the whole landscape will have shifted again. Changes in ownership, etc. Some of the richest owners in baseball, have the poorest small market teams.
Mystery team with X amount of dollars and Y amount of years.
X and Y being completely different from what Mr. Sherman is reporting.
Come on, you guys know how these things work.
If the Dodgers are interested he’s a Dodger. Pretty easy place to pitch and fluff up your stats. For an example see Kershaw.
Kershaw’s splits are fairly unsubstantial. I guess the league is lucky Kershaw isn’t a Giant, though. He has a 0.78 career ERA at AT&T.
there is also some lineup bias, I am sure. If he was facing cardinals/tigers/red sox lineup at AT&T, his ERA wouldn’t be 0.78.
yeah, it’s not like the Giants were World Champions in two of the six years Kershaw has pitched there … oh wait.
their lineup was not as big a factor as serious pitching and timely moves. anyways, I am gonna stop right here. Kershaw is the best pitcher right now, no matter what park.
their lineup was not as big a factor as serious pitching and timely moves. anyways, I am gonna stop right here. Kershaw is the best pitcher right now, no matter what park.
I’m an O’s fan rooting for the Diamondbacks to win this bidding war: I don’t trust Arroyo.
At this point in his career, I think it would be about winning. The Dodgers provide the best chance to do that. Good offense and great pitchers park.
22 mil for two years? I hope the Dodgers pass.
As a D’backs fan, I don’t want him. Anyone else can have him
No one wants him. That’s why his demands are coming down.
Funny pitchers and catchers started reporting to spring training today but the “best” SP, excluding Tanaka, are still unsigned. I guess when Santana and Ubaldo headline the FA class you cant blame teams for looking to Arroyo instead.
I’d take Arroyo in Baltimore for 1/10.
Sure, he’s been consistent, and that’s commendable, but I don’t see any reason to go multiple years on bringing a consistently decent NL pitcher to the AL East.
If Arroyo wants to win he’s not going to Baltimore. Also Arroyo really isn’t that good, so Baltimore may sign him, they have a thing for signing washed up pitchers the last few years.
the orioles are a lot closer to winning that the dbacks are
If dbacks were wanting a lower end 5th starter i wish they would have signed dan haren before dodgers did. Would love to have him back and have always been a fan.
As a die-hard Diamondback fan, I hope it’s the Orioles or Dodgers. Arroyo simply doesn’t bring enough to the Diamondbacks to warrant such a steep outlay.
Looking like only Ubaldo or Santana are left for Bmore.
The Dodgers do not require Arroyo. I would want him to get an Orioles deal, and sign Burnett instead.
We do not need a solid innings eater guy but a playoff capable starter insurance.
I’ll bet on the DBacks signing him
If Arroyo really is only looking for a 2 yr deal, I would definitely sign him if I were the Dodgers.
Two yrs and $22 mill for a guy who is very durable and will likely give you a sub-4 ERA as a 5th starter. What’s not to like about that?
Contending all comes back to pitching. Dodgers have loaded up in the pen. Might as well load up with starters, too.
And, really, Arroyo as a 5th starter in 2015 for $11 mill sounds fine to me as well.
I really think Arroyo would be a perfect fit with the Diamondbacks. He’d be an upgrade over Delgado in the 5th spot and since 2005 he’s thrown under 200 innings only once (199 IP in 2011).
Gives them insurance if McCarthy isn’t healthy next year. They really need a pitcher!
I see Arroyo as a Dodger. Big ballpark, and the backend of their rotation could use some work.
The back end of their rotation will be full by midseason, you don’t sign a guy for 2+ years just because you need a starter for half a year….. unless your the dodgers of course.
Well said. Being a Nats fan, I witnessed the joke that was Dan Haren last year. Arroyo is a much better option at this point. Still confused as to those who consider that a good move. Guess they didn’t watch him pitch in 2013.
They saw a guy who was very good from July to Oct 2013, gave up 3 ER or less in 19 of 30 starts in 2013 and was willing to take a 1 year deal. Bit too high of AAV for my liking but the Dodgers clearly don’t care about that.
Dbacks signed him according to John Gambadoro of AZ Sports 98.7