M’s Sign Shawn Camp Too
The M’s just officially announced the signing of both Hong Chih-Kuo and Shawn Camp to Major League contracts, and DFA’d Mike Wilson and Chris Gimenez to make room for them on the 40-man roster. Kuo, we talked about this morning, so here’s a brief summary of Camp – he’s the new Jamey Wright, or Sean Green if you prefer to go back a few more years.
Sinker/slider/change right-hander who is pretty good against RHBs and should probably never face an LHB in a meaningful situation. His career K/BB vs RHBs is 3.15, but is just 1.48 against LHBs. His numbers last year kind of suck because the Blue Jays kept asking him to get LHBs out – 47% of the batters he faced last year were left-handed.
Used more as a specialist, he could be pretty decent. He was a pretty solid rubber-arm type for the Jays in both 2009 and 2010, and he’ll probably be the veteran RH setup guy if the team decides they don’t want to thrust Tom Wilhelmsen right into that role. Not a ton of upside here, but he provides some depth in the bullpen that wasn’t there previously.
As of right now, the bullpen looks to shake out something like this:
Closer – Brandon League
RH – Shawn Camp
LH – George Sherrill
RH – Tom Wilhelmsen
LH – Hong-Chih Kuo
RH – Shawn Kelley
Long – Charlie Furbush
Four spots are basically guaranteed, barring injury or spring training implosion – League/Camp/Sherrill/Kuo. Wilhelmsen would probably have to be pretty terrible in spring training to not make the club. Kelley and Ruffin both have options left and both could start the season in the minors if the team decided they wanted to keep an out-of-options guy like Cesar Jimenez or Rule 5 pick Lucas Luetge. Aaron Heilman could be in the mix for one of those spots too. Blake Beavan will probably battle Furbush for the long reliever role, with the loser headed for Tacoma.
Ok I doubt this will be well received but is it posible that the mariners think that they are putting the finishing touches on a contender? Because offering major league contracts to bullpen specialists a week before pitchers and catchers report gives me, at least, the impression that Z and Co. think that Gutierrez > Bourjos, that Suzuki has something in the tank, that Carp is at least = Ibanez, and that Smoak, Ackley, and especially Montero are = or > than Belushi, Ackroyd, and Carrey.
I notice there are eight names on your list, Dave. Are you expecting the M’s to put together an 8-man bullpen, or are these just the names that are most likely to end up with the team?
You’re right. That won’t be well recieved.
Will Mike Wilson finally learn to hit in the majors and become the next Mike Morse?
I think he’s just putting the finishing touches on the bull pen, not a contender.
He does this every year. Same philosophy, different names.
It’s also pretty apparent that Wdge wants to use him some handedness this year. That’ll at least sooth my internal philosophical rants if indeed this is the plan
Yeah, guess I just got carried away with names – post edited to reflect a seven man bullpen, which right now probably doesn’t include Ruffin.
M’s certainly have some reliever depth now – you could build an okay bullpen out of guys not expected to make the club.
@ndevale on February 6th, 2012 12:13 pm
Is it possible that the M’s are stockpiling pitchers in order to position themselves for another trade, maybe during spring training?
It’s possible, but also likely they are just stockpiling some arms.
Every year, some pitcher gets hurt in spring training and goes on the DL, and some pitcher has a tired arm and misses half of spring training and has to start in extended spring training, etc.
Well, I am glad that the bullpen is stocked up, even if it’s Large Item Pickup Day. The ‘pen is the easiest place to do that, in general.
It’s still pretty disappointing that Edwin Jackson or Roy Oswalt aren’t coming here, and the last couple off offseasons are all “who can we bring back here cheap and take a chance on?” Sometimes it’s worked out (Bedard), sometimes it’s not (Cust)… but, well, OK, I guess when ownership’s decided an $80 million payroll is all we get…
Pretty sure they are just stockpiling arms. You throw uh stuff against the wall some of it will stick…they do this every year.
Man, what a sexy offseason. sigh.
Every year, some pitcher gets hurt in spring training and goes on the DL, and some pitcher has a tired arm and misses half of spring training and has to start in extended spring training, etc.
Yea that’s my point, a team may get desperate for a pitching piece due to injuries and the M’s may have that piece for them for the right price.
I like the fact that Z is bringing in a lot of players to compete. The additions of Kuo and Camp do provide good depth. I have basically the same BP, but I think Beavan will outpitch Furbush in Spring Training, although it would be pretty cool to have 3 lefties in the pen, especially since two of them are mainly specialists.
For all of the criticism that the front office has gotten this offseason, there isn’t a single move I dislike. Maybe Kevin Millwood, but that’s not even a guaranteed contract. Jack and co. have done a great job acquiring low-risk/cost talent with upside.
Hopefully the Mariners will have more luck fall in their favor this year.
I’d still like to see another outfielder for spring.
Hey folks-
Root is doing their “Best of the M’s” Monday Night series of games again… It’s Yankees/M’s right now.
If the moves today work out, it will be nice to have seen JZ produce another effective bullpen on the cheap, especially considering it can sometimes be converted into other assets at the deadline.