The Indians have signed reliever George Kontos to a minor league contract, according to an announcement from the team.
Kontos debuted in the majors with the Yankees in 2011 and has since pitched for the Giants and Pirates. The Bucs released the 32-year-old this week after he opened the season with 18 2/3 innings of 5.03 ERA ball. Kontos has generally been successful in the majors, however, as he carries a 3.11 ERA with 7.25 K/9, 2.6 BB/9 and a 43.3 percent groundball rate over 350 innings. Along the way, the righty has held same-handed hitters to a a paltry .228/.270/.374 line and limited lefties to a .236/.325/.381 mark.
Kontos seemingly stands a chance of returning to the bigs in Cleveland, whose bullpen has been a disaster this year. Indians relievers rank dead last in ERA (5.92) and third from the bottom in fWAR (minus-0.6). The club has been on the lookout for established relievers as a result, and already signed Oliver Perez this weekend before adding Kontos.
This almost makes too much sense.
He will probably start pitching like he did last year.Even though he has been bad this year the Pirates bullpen has been absolutely awful since he was designated for assignment.They could really use his 2017 version as the bullpen has cost them five games over the last three weeks.
Not ideal, but Kontos is probably more capable of stabilizing that pen somewhat until CLE trades for some solid bullpen arms. It would be nice if they could package up some of those excess OFs for some legit relievers, but I’m not holding my breath.
Kontos was always solid if unspectacular with giants. Good signing.
No he wasn’t! He was terrible with the Giants. I watched him struggle in every major opportunity given.
he did not debut that early. it was 2012ish.
actually 2011.
……..while Cody Allen gives up a walk-off HR today.
Ugh Ugh Ugh Ugh Ugh Ugh Ugh Ugh Ugh Ugh Ugh
Hahahaha Hahahaha! Why? This guy has NEVER been consistent.