December 24, 2008

Twins add bullpen arm?

According to Kirby Arnold of the Washington Daily Herald, the Twins have signed knuckeballer R.A. Dickey to a "split major-minor league contract.

The Minnesota Twins signed right-handed pitcher R.A. Dickey today, which instantly makes him a candidate for a spot in the Twins' bullpen this coming season. Dickey, 34, is known for having a good knuckleball and for having no ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

Dickey chose the Minnesota Twins over staying with the Seattle Mariners.
"Seattle could have been more money, but the Twins felt like I could have a place on their roster right away," Dickey said.
That would likely mean that the Twins are going to give him a good opportunity to win a spot in the bullpen this Spring. Dickey was 5-8 with a 5.22 ERA in 32 games (14 starts) with the Mariners last season. He did look good in Triple-A Tacoma, going 2-5 with a 3.77 ERA and a 3.75 K/BB ratio.

This is not the bullpen arm we were all hoping for, but since it is a "split minor-major league contract" he can be sent to Triple-A Rochester should he falter this Spring.

The Twins signed Dickey to a minor-league contract last November, but just over a week later he was taken by the Mariners in the Rule V Draft. In exchange for Dickey to be sent to Triple-A, the Mariners sent the Twins minor league catcher Jair Fernandez.

He will likely be competing with Boof Bonser, Jason Jones and Philip Humber for a bullpen spot.

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