The Dodgers have released Pedro Baez, according to the right-hander’s MLB.com profile page. Baez made his return to the organization when he signed a minor league contract in May.
Baez appeared in three games with the Astros before being released in late April, but didn’t return to the mound until July, when he pitched with the Dodgers’ Arizona Complex League affiliate. Moving to Triple-A Oklahoma City at the end of July, Baez struggled to a 14.29 ERA over 5 2/3 innings in OKC, with much of that damage coming in his final outing. Just yesterday, Baez allowed five runs without recording a single out against the Sugar Land Skeeters.
From 2014-20, Baez was a very dependable member of the Los Angeles bullpen, posting a 3.03 ERA over 356 innings with the Dodgers and helping the team capture the World Series in 2020. However, Baez’s strikeout rate and fastball velocity both started to decline during that 2020 season, but that didn’t stop Houston from inking the right-hander to a two-year deal worth a guaranteed $12.5MM.
That deal ended up being a bust for the Astros, as Baez threw only 6 2/3 innings in a Houston uniform before being released in April. Shoulder problems kept Baez on the sidelines for the majority of the 2021 season, and given his near-total lack of results over the last two years, there is certainly a fear that Baez may no longer be effective as a big league pitcher (or perhaps even as a Triple-A pitcher) at age 34.
The Dodgers would’ve only owed Baez the prorated portion of the Major League minimum salary if he’d reached their active roster, so with this release, the Dodgers cost themselves nothing by seeing if a familiar face could regain his old form. The Astros are responsible for what remains of Baez’s $5.5MM salary for the 2022 season, and that figure will only lessen by a prorated minimum salary if another team should sign Baez and add him to the MLB roster.
Say goodbye to the Human Rain delay. Used to take him an hour to pitch one inning.
He learned from Jansen. It is unbearable watching, especially with runners on base, but he still gets it done. Baez has done well too!
I used to be able to go to the John, make a sandwich, Get a beer and some chips and not miss a pitch. Unbearable is a great word for it.
Who knew this guy was still around?
Astros accountants
Well to be fair, also readers of this site.
OKC Dodgers enthusiasts?
He was terrible with the Stros, but in all fairness I think he was damaged goods. His first spring training he couldn’t throw. Bad move by James Click, glad Stros released him.
I did meet him a while back. That being said I hope he gets healthy so he can transistor to coaching.
I agree I also have met him , but I was hoping he could make it back sadly doesn’t seem like he will least he made some money for him and his family
For a guy who didn’t start pitching regularly until he waa 25, Baez had a nice run of things. Shame he wasn’t better regarded as Jansen’s longtime running-mate.
…. helping the team capture the World Series in 2020 *
Sugar Land scored 17 runs in one inning against the OKC Dodgers. Baez and two much younger pitchers who are usually much better allowed this to happen. Somebody had to take the fall.
I hope Baez can get healthy and come back at least once more in the minors. Nobody deserves to go out like that.
Agreed 100 percent
No one deserves to go out with $12.5 mil for being bad at our job? I will!
Baez really helped LA for a number of years. I think they knew that he was at the end of that phase, and no attempt was made to retain him once he hit free agency. It is just so hard to get value out of multi year contracts for middle relievers, but they’ve never been more important in this game.
*Space Cowboys