FRIDAY: Saunders can earn up to $3.65MM if he makes the club and hits all of the incentives in his contract, according to the Associated Press. Just $250K of Saunders' $500K base salary is guaranteed.
If Saunders makes the roster, his salary will jump to $1.5MM, as previously reported by Heyman. He also receives a $500K bonus for 90 days on the active roster. Saunders will receive an additional $150K for reaching each of 130, 140, 150, 160, 170 and 180 innings. He'll earn $250K for reaching each of 190, 200 and 210 innings. He can also earn between $25K and $100K for various awards bonuses.
WEDNESDAY, 10:00am: Saunders is guaranteed just $500K but will earn $1.5MM, plus incentives, if he makes the Major League roster, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports (on Twitter).
9:34am: The Rangers announced today that they have signed left-hander Joe Saunders to a one-year, Major League contract. Financial terms remain in unknown, though reports have indicated that it is a non-guaranteed deal, suggesting that it could be in the mold of Tommy Hanson's one-year, split Major League contract with Texas that pays him a separate salary in the minors should he not make the big league club.
Saunders, 32, promises to add depth to the back of a Texas rotation mix that has increasingly looked in need of it. Derek Holland is going to miss the entire first half, Matt Harrison is still working back from surgery (and had a more recent injury scare), and other options come with a variety of uncertainties.
Working for the Mariners last year, Saunders struggled to a 5.26 ERA in 183 innings. That was the worst full-season mark of his career, however, as the southpaw had thrown at least 174 2/3 innings and posted between a 3.41 and 4.60 ERA over his previous five seasons.
Advanced metrics thought his 2013 season was better than the resuls, as he posted a 4.72 FIP, 4.23 xFIP, and 4.42 SIERA. However, those numbers remain underwhelming, and a look at advanced stats also tends to place a negative spin on some of Saunders' more productive previous years. Indeed, he has never finished a year below the 4.00 line by any of those measures.
The signing was first reported by Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com first tweeted that it was a MLB deal, with Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweeting that it was of the non-guaranteed variety.
Steve Adams contributed to this post.
“Take that, Ian Kinsler.” – Jon Daniels
Only 2 years ago he ended their season. Now he’s pitching for them.
Yep, they ended their season in a one game playoff against Saunders.
Hopefully if the Rangers are in that spot again, they don’t end their season in a one game playoff with Saunders.
“A proven winner with playoff experience!” — Arizona Diamondbacks Management.
I guess its a good depth pick up. Hes always been a guy who can eat innings, even if he does let up a few runs. With a lineup like Texas, he should be able to get away with 3-4 earned over 7 innings.
” Let up few runs ” ? That’s funny. Saunders has been pretty bad,and isn’t even a good 5th.
I mean’t that more in a.. he’ll give up his fair share of runs, but with a solid lineup behind him and great defense, lets see what happens.
It is what it is–a guy to fill out the rotation. At least, Saunders will have run support.
You have the figure he’ll be giving the opposing team some run support as well.
He will give the opposing team some run support, but not as much as a “not ready” inexperienced minor league prospect.
“gets a MLB deal” its a bold strategy cotton, let’s see how it plays out for them
maybe his games will be televised on ESPN 8!! THE OCHO!
A flyball pitcher that couldn’t keep the balls within the confines of Safeco Field. Good luck in Arlington.
An innings eater but he will be decimated in Arlington..
he will go 16-3 with a 6.20 era for us.
We got a winner then.
but i’m a big believer that if the clubhouse is good, it can help turn around a guys career. Not expecting anything huge from Saunders, but i think he’s very capable of a 4 flat.
I’d be happy with a 4.50 honestly.
Yu Darvish only had 13 W with a 2.83 ERA last year…
I am going way out on a limb, but, I think he was kidding.
basically saying we have more offense now compared to last year. If we hit with RISP this year, i would expect Darv to have close to 20 wins. I was being sarcastic about Joey S.
how does this sarcasm thing work?
Well with the king of pop-up to the infield gone to Detroit, I think the run production will up drastically. 147 pop-ups in 600 at bats is significant. I hope the Tigers are ready for that. There was a good reason that Cabrera and Braun won MVP’s, and his name is Prince.
He will start in games only against Oakland
Yeeesss, Rangers. You have saved us from re-signing Joe Saunders. Now, fulfill your destiny. Sign Morales and give us another draft pick.
they will sign kendrys morales and trade moreland and fyi the rangers are 1-4 in spring training and they need morales
Usually, teams that do terrible in Spring Training tend to do well in the regular season.
Boston – 17-17 in 2013
San Francisco 18-15 in 2012
St. Louis 14-16 in 2011
So you saying the 1-5 Phillies will be amazing?
My theory of spring training records comes from Rocky. A team full of guys trying to make the team will outplay an opponent full of guys just “getting their work in” like Rocky could compete against Apollo who was fighting like it was an exhibition. So a team with a really good spring record (especially early on) might well be a team with a lot of open spots. Teams that are solid probably do worse.
According to this theory a good team will “kick it in” around the end of spring when the regulars can see opening day approaching and they know they need to get serious. So a good team should be around the .500 mark. Looks about right for the last three world champs. And the Mariners are 6-1 and have all kinds of open spots. Yep.
Spring Training games don’t mean anything. These are the games where pitchers go out and throw a ton of pitches they’re working on. If they’re working on a change up they’ll throw a ton of them. Plus you have minor league players just there to get some experience.
Spring training games do not mean anything, Kansas City and Seattle came in 1-2 in spring 2013 and look where they both finished the season!!!!!
You’re absolutely right. Those spring training rosters are full of wannabes and didn’t makeits. Thats how managers assess talent. Win/loss records mean nothing when you have rookies pitching, or playing key spots and making errors. Why do people even look at win/loss preseason records? Just look at individual stats. Thats where the regular season information lives.
i’d love to have Morales for a good deal. We have a great farm so i could stand to lose a Pick for a 3/30 deal
If you can’t beat him, sign him! =P
Haha. They never could hit this guy.
In a radio interview with the G-Bag Nation on 105.3 The Fan, Derek Holland said that he was way ahead of schedule. That might be pure optimism, but the way he was talking made me believe him. Hopefully, we will see him before the All-Star break.
Would you rather have Johan Santana or Joe Saunders? The Orioles chose the former but will pay more for him.
completely depends on the team Saunders will probably give u 175 innings of 4.5 era ball where Santana will either give u a half a season of 3.6 era ish ball or nothing at all
Both are shots in the dark. As an M’s fan, I experienced enough Saunders for my liking. I’d take Santana.
Santana is being brought to camp as a reliever not a starter whereas Saunders projects as a starter.
Santana is going to be a starter if all goes well with the rehab
Santana every time
I am surprised that baltimore signed someone who was never a Ranger.
what is a non-guaranteed major league contract vs a minor league contract
I’m going to assume that it means if he makes the Major League roster, he’s on the team, otherwise he’s a free agent.
Unlike a minor league deal where if they don’t make the Major League roster, they are obligated to play in the minor leagues for the team.
yea that is what me and my friend came up with to i just have never heard the term. makes sense but kind of weird
Basically they’re offered so much if they make the major league roster. If they don’t make it they get a smaller fee and end up back in free agency.
Seattle approves of this deal.
so do the angels and A’s
And Houston still knows there is 0 hope,
Someone please tell me the logistical differences between a non guaranteed major league deal and a minor league deal with a major league invite,
You can;t judge this deal until a figure is given out. It’s a non-guaranteed MLB contract which would generally level out to be anywhere between $1mm-$2.5mm. If the deal is any more expensive than that, then Daniels got ROBBED
safe to judge now?
Yea, It’s a damn good deal for Daniels
Yeah I think so as well. Plenty will point out his deficiencies but to get a MLB experienced SP for that price is a solid deal. Assuming he makes the rotation/roster. I don’t see many reasons he won’t. This allows someone like Tepesch to pitch in AAA, Ross to stick to his middle to late inning role and Scheppers pitch late in games. Anyone that expects a less than 4 ERA with Saunders is mistaken but by the end of the season, one would think he is the #4 or 5 guy anyway.
I’d still like Tepesch as the #5….assuming colby or harrison is back…
Darvish
Colby/Harrison
Ogando
Saunders
Tepesch/Hanson
the hard part is assuming either of those two are good to go…
I honestly think we’re more likely to see Colby than Harry..Which i would be happy with a healthy Colby in the #2 spot. Dude is a postseason BEAST…Unlike Cj.
I think Colby will bounce back. The road he has traveled has been a rocky one, he will make it back. The Harrison situation is bothersome.
Maybe Tommy Hanson and Joe Saunders will = half a decent pitcher? Beats overpaying Santana though, Earvin that is.
Financial terms unknown, maybe he is playing for free?
“and a look at advanced stats also tends to place a negative spin on some of Saunders’ more productive previous years”
When Saunders was with the Angels, he was never regarded as anything close to a front line starting pitcher. He was just a guy who gave a lot of innings at the back end of their rotation, and helped save their bullpen. He was well liked by the whole fan base. It was sad to see him go. But as far as his advanced stats go, he was never overrated. He just did his job. I don’t know if he’ll ever be the same; this could be a bargain chip for the Rangers, or it could further illustrate the impact of Holland’s injury. Either way, Saunders is still probably one of the better depth options in this market.
I can fully agree with everything you said. For 500K its worth the gamble. If he makes the rotation, well he will certainly be worth a little over a million bucks.
I’d enjoy just $500K
beats the time spent at work and the pay I get for the year.
Was hoping the Tribe would have given Saunders a look. Considering we don’t have a LHP in our rotation, and the fact we’ve brought in just about every body available to ‘showcase’ their talents for us, this would have been a no-brainer. Good luck, Joe.
Enjoy a whole lot of nothing…just glad he’s not in Seattle anymore
Thats how a baseball contract should be set up. If the player produces, they get paid. Otherwise….see ya! Just look at all the players sucking up big paychecks for no or little return. I hope Joe makes all 3.65M this year. No pressure Joe.
I can’t wait for my M’s to face him.